UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa

Validity Requirements for the Application

• The application must be made online using the specified form: “Join or accompany a family member” for entry clearance from outside the UK (e.g., Pakistan).
• Any required fee and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) must be paid in full (unless a fee waiver is granted in part or whole).
• The applicant must provide biometrics (fingerprints and photo) as required, typically at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Pakistan.
• A valid passport or travel document establishing the applicant’s identity and nationality must be provided.
• Both the applicant (mother) and sponsor (British citizen son) must be aged 18 or over on the date of application.
• If applying for extension inside the UK (rare for initial ADR, as most start from outside), the applicant must be in the UK with existing ADR permission and not in breach of immigration laws (except minor overstays under paragraph 39E).
• Applications failing these may be rejected as invalid without consideration.

2. Suitability Requirements

• The applicant must not fall for refusal under general suitability grounds in Appendix FM: For entry clearance, this includes S-EC.1.2 to S-EC.3.2 (e.g., criminality, deception, or threats to public good).
• No breach of immigration laws (for in-UK extensions) or immigration bail.
• The Home Office assesses character, conduct, and associations.

3. Eligibility Requirements for the Applicant (Mother)

• Must be outside the UK for initial entry clearance (cannot apply as a visitor and switch).
• Must be aged 18 or over.
• If the applicant is a parent or grandparent, they must not be in a subsisting relationship with a partner unless that partner is also applying as an ADR at the same time.
• Must obtain entry clearance before arriving in the UK.

4. Relationship Requirements

• The applicant must be the sponsor’s parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son, or daughter. (In this case, mother-son relationship qualifies.)
• Proof of relationship must be provided (e.g., birth certificates, adoption papers if applicable).
• The sponsor must remain the same for any extensions.

5. Sponsor Requirements (British Citizen Son)

• Must be a British citizen (qualifies), or settled in the UK (indefinite leave to remain), or have protection status (refugee/humanitarian), or be an EEA national with pre-settled status under Appendix EU (condition 1(a)(i), having started living in the UK before January 1, 2021).
• Must be aged 18 or over.
• Must sign a sponsorship undertaking confirming ability to maintain, accommodate, and care for the applicant without public funds.

6. Care (Dependency) Requirements

• The applicant (or their partner, if both are parents/grandparents applying) must require long-term personal care for everyday tasks (e.g., washing, dressing, cooking) due to age, illness, or disability.
• This care must not be available or affordable in the applicant’s home country (Pakistan), even with practical/financial help from the sponsor.
• No reasonable alternative provider in Pakistan (e.g., other family, paid carers, nursing homes, or state services) can provide the care.
• Evidence must show cultural, familial, or practical reasons why alternatives are unsuitable.
• For couples applying, only one needs to meet the care requirement.

7. Maintenance, Accommodation, and Care Provision Requirements

• The sponsor must provide adequate maintenance, accommodation, and care without recourse to public funds for 5 years (if British/settled sponsor) or the duration of the sponsor’s permission.
• No minimum income threshold (unlike partner visas); assessment is case-by-case based on sponsor’s income, savings, housing costs, and care expenses.
• Evidence of sponsor’s finances: Income from employment (payslips, P60, employer letter for 6 months prior), self-employment (tax returns), savings over £16,000, pensions, or other permitted sources.
• Accommodation must be adequate, owned/rented by sponsor, without overcrowding, and suitable for care needs.
• Sponsor must demonstrate ability to provide or arrange care (e.g., via family or paid services in UK).

8. Health and Other Requirements

• Tuberculosis (TB) Screening: As Pakistan is a listed country, the applicant must provide a valid TB test certificate from an approved clinic showing no active pulmonary TB.
• No English language requirement for ADR (unlike other family routes).
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): Must be paid; £1,035 per year of stay (e.g., £5,175 for indefinite leave if British sponsor).

9. Required Documents and Evidence

• Passport/travel document with blank page for visa.
• Biometric information (provided at VAC).
• Relationship proof: Birth certificates, family records.
• Care needs evidence: Medical reports/letters from doctors detailing condition, daily needs, prognosis; evidence of current care in Pakistan and why inadequate.
• Home country care availability: Reports from local experts on care options/costs in Pakistan; explanations why family/paid/state care is unavailable/unaffordable.
• Financial evidence: Sponsor’s bank statements, payslips (6 months), tax returns, employer letter; savings proofs.
• Accommodation: Property deeds, rental agreements, floor plans showing space.
• TB certificate.
• Translations for non-English documents (certified).
• Sponsorship form/undertaking from sponsor.
• Personal details: Names, DOB, criminal history, previous applications, NI number (if any), parents’ details.
• Any children/partners’ details, even if not applying.

10. Application Fees (as of July 2025)

• Entry clearance from outside UK: £3,413 per applicant.
• Extension inside UK: £1,321 per applicant.
• IHS: £1,035 per year (pro-rated; e.g., £5,175 for 5 years if settlement).
• Biometrics enrolment: Included in fee (no extra cost).

11. Application Process

• Apply online, completing Form VAF4A Appendix 1.
• Attend VAC in Pakistan for biometrics and document submission.
• Processing time: Usually 12 weeks from outside UK (priority services may be available for extra fee).
• Decision: Granted if all met; refusals can be appealed on human rights grounds.

12. Visa Validity, Conditions, and Settlement

• If sponsor is British/settled: Indefinite leave to enter (unlimited stay, leading directly to settlement).
• If sponsor has limited leave (e.g., pre-settled/protection): Permission aligned with sponsor’s; must extend/settle when sponsor does.
• Conditions: No recourse to public funds; can work/study but must rely on sponsor for support.
• Settlement: Automatic if indefinite; otherwise, apply for indefinite leave when eligible (e.g., after 5 years, meeting ongoing requirements).