When an adult family member needs ongoing care overseas, the distance can place considerable pressure on the whole family. You may be trying to understand whether bringing them to the UK is possible and what evidence would be needed.
Knightsbridge offers an initial enquiry service and can help arrange a referral to an independent immigration solicitor for Adult Dependent Relative advice. The solicitor assesses the legal position and, if instructed, takes responsibility for the application.
About this route
The Adult Dependent Relative route may allow an eligible adult to join a qualifying close relative in the UK where long-term personal care is needed because of age, illness or disability.
For an overseas application, the required care must be unavailable or unaffordable in the country where the applicant lives, even with financial help from the UK sponsor. The sponsor must also be able to provide adequate maintenance, accommodation and care without reliance on public funds.
Eligibility Check
A specialist assessment will consider questions such as:
- What is the relationship between the applicant and the UK sponsor?
- What immigration status does the sponsor hold?
- Which everyday tasks require personal care?
- What care is currently available in the applicant’s country?
- Could suitable care reasonably be arranged or funded there?
- How would accommodation, maintenance and care be provided in the UK?
A first application under this route must be made from outside the UK. The permission granted depends on the sponsor’s status and the applicable requirements.
Understanding your situation
Families often contact us after a parent’s health deteriorates, an existing care arrangement ends or another relative becomes unable to help.
Your concern may be immediate, while the documents are spread between family members, medical professionals and care providers. At the initial enquiry stage, we gather basic information about the circumstances and any urgent dates so that we can identify an appropriate referral.
How Knightsbridge Helps
We explain the referral process and, with your consent, can introduce you to an independent immigration solicitor with relevant experience.
The solicitor decides whether to accept instructions, assesses eligibility and advises on the evidence required. They agree their fees and terms directly with you and take responsibility for legal advice, application preparation and representation.
You remain free to choose your representative.
Addressing Challenges
Evidence of a medical condition does not necessarily explain the personal care needed. The specialist may need to consider medical reports alongside evidence about daily functioning, existing support and realistic care options.
The requirement concerning care in the country of residence is particularly important. A family’s preference to provide care together in the UK does not, by itself, establish that the immigration requirements are met.
Timescales and Costs
Preparation time depends on the assessment and the evidence required. GOV.UK currently indicates a usual decision time of 12 weeks for overseas Adult Dependent Relative applications, although individual cases can take longer.
The solicitor will explain their professional fees, relevant government charges and any anticipated costs for reports or translations before you instruct them.
Situations requiring closer analysis
Previous refusals, disagreement about available care, changes in the sponsor’s circumstances or possible human-rights arguments require individual legal assessment.
Tell us at the outset if an application has already been made or a decision received, so this can be brought to the solicitor’s attention.
Your journey with Knightsbridge
The first step is to tell us who needs care, where they are living and which family member would support them in the UK. You do not need to arrive with a completed evidence bundle to make an initial enquiry.
We explain the service available and seek your consent before passing information to a prospective solicitor. Their acceptance of the matter depends on their own checks, availability and assessment.
If you choose to instruct them, the solicitor takes you through the legal requirements and agrees a preparation plan directly with you. They decide what medical, care and financial evidence is needed, advise on any weaknesses and explain the available options.
Our role is to help you reach the appropriate professional and make the handover clear. Your solicitor then manages the legal work and explains the application’s progress and outcome within the engagement you agree with them.
Ready to discuss a referral?
Tell us about your relative’s circumstances and the support your family hopes to provide.
This is an initial enquiry for referral purposes. Any substantive legal assessment is provided separately by the instructed solicitor.
