UK ADULT DEPENDENT RELATIVE VISA FOR SWISS RESIDENTS

The UK Adult Dependent Relative visa is available to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) resident in Switzerland who are adult dependent relatives of British citizens, individuals settled in the UK, those with limited leave to remain under Appendix EU, or individuals with refugee or humanitarian protection status in the UK, who wish to settle in the UK.

The UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa grants Indefinite Leave to Enter the UK, meaning that successful applicants can reside in the UK permanently.

Requirements for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa for Swiss Nationals (and Non-Swiss Nationals) Resident in Switzerland

To qualify for an Adult Dependent Relative Visa from Switzerland, you must meet the following criteria set by UK Visas and Immigration:

• Family Relationship: You must be the parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son, or daughter aged 18 years or over of a person in the UK who is over 18 and either a British citizen, settled in the UK, has limited leave to remain under Appendix EU, or has refugee or humanitarian protection status.

• Care Requirement: Due to age, illness, or disability, you require long-term personal care for everyday tasks such as washing, dressing, and cooking.

• Care Availability: You cannot obtain the required level of care in your home country even with financial help from your UK family member, either because it is unavailable, unaffordable, or there is no one who can reasonably provide it.

• Financial Sufficiency: Your family member in the UK must be able to maintain, accommodate, and care for you without recourse to public funds. If they are a British citizen or settled in the UK, they must sign a 5-year undertaking to this effect.

• TB Certificate: If required, you must provide a certificate showing you have passed a tuberculosis test.

When applying for a UK Adult Dependent Relatives Visa from Switzerland, the specific requirements may vary based on individual circumstances. Consulting with an immigration lawyer specialising in UK immigration law or a UK immigration law firm in Switzerland can provide expert guidance tailored to your situation.

Further Information on the UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa for Residents of Switzerland

Applicants residing in Switzerland must demonstrate a need for long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability, and this care must not be available or affordable in their home country.

Even if the applicant meets the health criteria, proving the inability to afford care in their home country is often challenging, especially for sponsors who can afford to support their relative in the UK.

If the sponsor is settled in the UK or is a British citizen, the Adult Dependent Relative is granted settlement. In other cases, the visa is granted temporarily, aligning with the sponsor's temporary status. Once in the UK, the dependent relative can apply for settlement or extended stay in line with the sponsor’s status.

There is a separate provision for Adult Dependent Relatives of BN(O) Status Holders under Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas).

The UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa route is only available to applicants outside the UK. Switching to this route from within the UK is not permitted, except in specific circumstances where an application can be made on human rights grounds.

Applying to Stay as an Adult Dependent Relative from the UK

If an overseas application for an Adult Dependent Relative visa does not meet all the requirements, the Home Office may still grant permission to enter the UK if refusal would breach Article 8 of the Human Rights Convention, leading to unjustifiably harsh consequences for the applicant or their family.

How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help

Through the Swiss office of our UK immigration law firm, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of UK immigration legal services to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland.

Our UK visa and immigration services encompass expert guidance on all UK visa routes for Swiss residents, as well as a fully-managed UK visa application preparation service tailored for Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) in Switzerland. Our dedicated UK immigration lawyers provide personalised support and expert advice throughout the entire UK visa application process.

For professional assistance and expert advice on a UK Adult Dependent Relative Visa application from Switzerland, contact our British visa specialists in Switzerland on +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.