Bringing parents to the UK depends heavily on who the sponsor is and which immigration route applies. There are two main routes:
1. Parents of EEA Nationals with Status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
If you’re an EEA national with Pre-Settled or Settled Status under the EUSS, you can sponsor your parents under EUSS Family Permit or directly under EUSS (from within the UK).
Key Conditions:
- The parent must be a dependent family member as of before 31 December 2020 (transition period cut-off).
- The family relationship must have existed before 31 Dec 2020, and dependency must continue.
- The parent must be living outside the UK to apply as a joining family member
- If the parent is already leaving in the UK you will have to explain why you are submitting a late application
Dependency:
- You must prove dependency (financial, health-related, or member of the same household
Advantages:
- No financial requirement or income threshold.
- No English language test.
- No IHS surcharge.
- No visa fees.
- Settlement can be obtained after 5 years of residence.
2. Parents of British Citizens or Settled Persons – Under Appendix Adult Dependent Relative (ADR)
This route is much more restrictive and used for elderly or seriously ill parents of British citizens or settled persons.
Key Conditions:
- The parent must require long-term personal care (e.g., due to age, illness, or disability).
- That care must not be available or affordable in their home country.
- The child must show they can financially support the parent without public funds.
- The application must be made from outside the UK
Dependency:
You must prove that as a result of age, illness or disability you require long term personal care to perform everyday tasks and that the care s not available and there is no person in that country who can reasonably provide it or the care is not affordable
❌ Challenges:
- Very few applications are approved.
- Often rely on Country experts evidence
- Burden of proof is very high.
- IHS Surcharge
- Visa fees
| Factor | EEA adult child (EUSS) | British/Settled adult child |
| Parent must be dependent? | Yes (before 30 December 2021 up to present) | Yes, and the level of care must not be affordable or available in their country. |
| Application cost | Free | Home Office fees plus IHS |
| English Test | No | No |
| Financial test | No | Yes, adequate maintenance and accommodation. |
| Approval rate | Relatively high | Very low |