Adult Dependent Relative — Appendix FM-ADR (highly restrictive)

Appendix FM-ADR (Adult Dependent Relative) is the most restrictive UK family route. Designed for adult parents / siblings of UK residents who require long-term personal care which can ONLY be provided in the UK by the sponsor.

For [CLIENT_NAME] ([RELATIONSHIP] of UK sponsor [UK_SPONSOR_NAME]):

§1 — APPENDIX FM-ADR ELIGIBILITY (150-180 words)

Strict requirements (Appendix FM E-ECDR.1 / E-LTRDR.1):

  ▪ Applicant aged 18+
  ▪ Sponsor is British citizen, settled person, refugee
  ▪ Applicant requires long-term personal care to perform everyday tasks (washing, dressing, cooking, mobility)
  ▪ Care required cannot be obtained in the country of origin because:
    - Care is not available in country of origin, OR
    - Care is available but applicant cannot afford it, OR
    - Sponsor is the only person able to provide the care
  ▪ Sponsor undertakes to maintain + accommodate the applicant without recourse to public funds

Critical: the bar is very high. The route is designed to exclude:
  ▪ Healthy elderly parents (cannot establish care need)
  ▪ Parents who can afford private care in country of origin
  ▪ Parents with other family members in country who can care
  ▪ Cases where applicant might use UK public services / NHS

Most applications refused.

§2 — CARE NEED EVIDENCE (200-250 words)

The applicant must demonstrate:

A. INABILITY TO PERFORM EVERYDAY TASKS:
  ▪ Cannot wash / dress / cook independently
  ▪ Cannot navigate environment (mobility limitations)
  ▪ Cannot manage medication
  ▪ Requires 24/7 supervision

Evidence:
  ▪ Detailed medical report from treating physician
  ▪ Specialist consultation reports
  ▪ Disability assessment from competent authority
  ▪ Care needs assessment from social worker / care company

B. SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS:
  ▪ Dementia (Alzheimer's, vascular, etc.)
  ▪ Severe physical disability (stroke, multiple sclerosis, advanced Parkinson's)
  ▪ Cognitive impairment requiring constant supervision
  ▪ Terminal illness requiring palliative care
  ▪ Severe mental health condition
  ▪ Combination of conditions creating overall dependency

C. PROGNOSIS:
  ▪ Condition is long-term + progressive
  ▪ Care need will not diminish
  ▪ Applicant cannot recover independence

D. CARE PROVIDER REQUIRED:
  ▪ Specific care needs of applicant
  ▪ Why sponsor must provide care (not professional service)
  ▪ Sponsor's care capability (training, time, commitment)

For [DEPENDENCY_DETAILS]: document each care need with medical evidence.

§3 — CARE NOT AVAILABLE IN COUNTRY OF ORIGIN (200-250 words)

Critical second leg: applicant must establish care NOT available in country of origin.

For [CARE_NOT_AVAILABLE] (typically India):

(a) CARE NOT AVAILABLE:
  ▪ Specific care type unavailable in applicant's region
  ▪ Specialist treatment / care provider absent in India
  ▪ Equipment / facilities not available

(b) CARE AVAILABLE BUT UNAFFORDABLE:
  ▪ Document care cost in India
  ▪ Applicant's financial position (savings, pension)
  ▪ Family's collective financial position
  ▪ Why cost is prohibitive

(c) SPONSOR IS ONLY PERSON ABLE TO PROVIDE CARE:
  ▪ Applicant's other family members in India:
    - Spouse: deceased / unable / unwilling
    - Other children: settled abroad / unable / unwilling
    - Siblings: deceased / not available / unable
  ▪ Specific reason ONLY the UK sponsor can provide care
  ▪ Sponsor's specific qualifications / availability

For Indian applicants: typically requires showing:
  ▪ Joint family disbanded / family members emigrated
  ▪ Care facilities in India inadequate for specific condition
  ▪ Sponsor is closest available relative

DOCUMENT EVIDENCE NEEDED:
  ▪ Letters from other family members confirming inability to provide care
  ▪ Reports on care availability + cost in applicant's region
  ▪ Sponsor's care capability documentation
  ▪ Financial position documentation

§4 — MAINTENANCE + ACCOMMODATION COMMITMENT (100-120 words)

Sponsor's undertaking:
  ▪ Maintain applicant without recourse to public funds for indefinite period
  ▪ Accommodate applicant in sponsor's household
  ▪ Provide medical care (sponsored through IHS exemption — wait, IHS NOT exempted for ADR; ADR applicants pay IHS)
  ▪ Provide ongoing personal care (or fund professional care)

Evidence:
  ▪ Sponsor's income + sustained employment
  ▪ Accommodation suitable for applicant + dependant care needs
  ▪ Sponsor's signed maintenance undertaking (Appendix FM-SE specific form)
  ▪ Family commitment to support the arrangement

§5 — APPLICATION + PROCESSING (80-100 words)

Application fee: GBP 1,846 [VERIFY]
IHS: GBP 1,035/year × duration (typically 5 years initially)

Standard processing: 6-12 months (slow + uncertain outcome)
Priority service: limited availability for ADR

Visa duration:
  ▪ Initial: 5 years
  ▪ Extension possible
  ▪ Eventually ILR after 5 years if relationship + care need continues

§6 — STRATEGIC GUIDANCE (120-150 words)

ADR is the WRONG route for most Indian parents wanting to join children in UK.

Better alternatives:

(a) Visitor visa (Appendix V):
  ▪ Multi-entry 2 / 5 / 10 year for parents
  ▪ Visit up to 6 months at a time
  ▪ No need to establish care need
  ▪ Cannot apply for residency
  ▪ See separate prompt uk-family-visitor-visa-parents

(b) Parent of British / settled child (under 18):
  ▪ If applicant is parent of British / settled child UNDER 18 in UK
  ▪ Appendix FM Parent of Child route
  ▪ Easier than ADR

(c) Dependent on Skilled Worker / Other route:
  ▪ Limited routes for parents
  ▪ Sometimes Tier 5 (Government Authorised Exchange) or other

For most applicants: Visitor visa with regular 6-month visits is the practical solution. ADR for genuine, severe care-need cases only.

§7 — REFUSAL RECOVERY (60-80 words)

If ADR refused:
  ▪ Administrative Review (if procedural error)
  ▪ FTT-IAC appeal (if Article 8 element — parent-child relationship)
  ▪ Article 8 framework: insurmountable obstacles + best interests (Agyarko, Patel)
  ▪ Reapplication with stronger care need + care availability evidence

For Indian families: Article 8 appeal often viable if parent's care need genuine + family ties strong.

End with: "DRAFT — for IMMIGRATION SPECIALIST counsel review. ADR has very low approval rate (5-15% historically). For Indian elderly parents wanting to live with UK-settled children, Visitor visa is the practical route — not ADR. ADR is for genuine, severe long-term care cases only. Engage specialist counsel for any borderline case."