If you are in the UK and you wish to bring your parents with you, then you will probably be asking yourself how do I do that? You might want to help take care of them when they are old, or you might want to go back to the family — there are visas that cater to those. This is how you can permanently bring your parents to the UK: who can do this, what it costs, and how to apply.
Do I Can My Parents To The UK?
You can actually take your parents to the UK for good, just need to get the right visa. Most often the route is through the Adult Dependant Relative Visa (Family reunion visa). You can use this visa to bring your parents to the UK if they need you to take care of them.
1. Visitor Visa Option
If you just want your parents to visit you regularly, they can apply for a standard visitor visa. A 10-year visa allows them to stay up to 6 months per visit. The cost is £963 per person.
However, this visa is not suitable for permanent relocation, as it only allows them to stay temporarily in the UK.
2. Adult Dependant Relative Visa (Family Reunion Visa)
If your parents need to move to the UK permanently to be cared for by you, the Adult Dependant Relative Visa is the most appropriate option. This visa allows your parents to live in the UK as your dependents if they need you for daily care due to age, illness, or disability.
Eligibility for the Adult Dependant Relative Visa
To apply for this visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- You must be a British citizen, have settled status, or be from the EU/EEA with pre-settled status (if you started living in the UK before 1st January 2021).
- You must be able to provide long-term care for your parents because of their age, disability, or illness.
- You must be able to demonstrate that the care they need is unavailable or unaffordable in their home country.
- You must have enough space in your home and enough money to support your parents without relying on public funds.
Financial Requirements
The financial requirements are strict. You must prove that you can support your parents during their stay in the UK. This includes:
- Showing that you have a home with enough space for your parents.
- Provide financial documents such as income or savings to prove you can cover their living expenses.
The visa application fee is £3,250 if applying from outside the UK or £1,048 if applying from inside the UK.
In addition, you will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which is £624 per year. For a 5-year visa, this totals £3,120.
Application Process and Timeline
The application process for an Adult Dependant Relative Visa can take around 24 weeks. Processing times may be longer if additional information is needed, so it’s important to provide all the necessary documents upfront.
Required Documents
When applying, you’ll need to provide the following:
- Your valid passport or ID card.
- Proof of your status in the UK (e.g., British citizenship, settled status).
- Proof that you can care for your parents (e.g., a medical report showing their need for care).
- Evidence of your financial ability to support your parents (e.g., bank statements, payslips).
- A floor plan of your home, showing it has enough space for your parents.
- Your parents’ birth certificates and passports.
- Medical evidence (if required).
Common Reasons for Visa Refusals
There are several reasons why an application may be refused, including:
- Insufficient evidence that your parents need care (such as medical reports or proof of age-related needs).
- Lack of financial support: If you fail to show that you have enough income or savings to care for your parents.
- Wrong visa route: Applying for a visitor visa instead of the appropriate family reunion visa.
- Care options available in their home country: If the UK government believes care for your parents is available in their home country, your application may be rejected.
If your application is refused, you may have the right to appeal within 28 days. This can be a complex process, so it’s often a good idea to work with an immigration lawyer to help you navigate the appeal.
Bringing your parents to the UK permanently is possible, but the process involves proving that they need care that you can provide and meeting strict financial requirements. If you meet the criteria for the Adult Dependant Relative Visa, you can sponsor your parents to live with you in the UK.
If you’re unsure about the process or need help with your application, Law and Visas can guide you through every step to ensure your application has the best chance of success.
