Last updated 2026-04-27
Care visa for family in United Kingdom for U.S. citizens
Visa for adult to be cared for by a relative, Family caregiver visa
Visa overview
Description of the visa, its purpose, conditions, peculiarities of issuance, and guidelines for utilization.
Permits entry for adults who need long-term care from a relative in the UK, with conditions for care and financial support.
Visa validity period
The period during which the visa remains valid and can be used for entry into the country. The validity period or expiration date is indicated directly on the visa itself.
3 months
Consular fee
A fee levied for the processing and evaluation of an application. This charge is non-refundable under any circumstances. In certain instances, the payment of supplementary fees may be required.
£3,635 (~$4,896)
Time frames and cost
The primary characteristics that define the conditions for obtaining and using a visa. These conditions may vary depending on the individual circumstances of the applicant and the decision of the immigration authorities of the country.
3 months
Visa validity period
The period during which the visa remains valid and can be used for entry into the country. The validity period or expiration date is indicated directly on the visa itself.
<p class="ds-markdown-paragraph">Upon a positive decision on a visa application, the foreign national no longer receives a physical vignette (sticker) in their passport. Instead, they are granted an electronic visa (eVisa).</p> <p class="ds-markdown-paragraph"> </p> <p class="ds-markdown-paragraph">Information regarding the validity period of the visa is now stored digitally within the UKVI account. The validity period itself, established at the time of approval, is the timeframe during which the applicant must travel to the country. The visa holder has the right to enter the United Kingdom at any time before this period expires. Typically, the period for entry is 90 days.</p> <p class="ds-markdown-paragraph"> </p> <p class="ds-markdown-paragraph">Before travelling, the foreign national is required to create or activate a UKVI account (if one was not already created during the application process) and must link their valid passport to it. This is necessary so that their immigration status is accessible to border authorities in electronic form.</p> <p class="ds-markdown-paragraph"> </p> <p class="ds-markdown-paragraph">Upon arrival in the United Kingdom, it is this UKVI account and the linked electronic visa (eVisa) that serve as the official confirmation of their lawful basis for staying in the United Kingdom.</p>
Individually
Duration of stay
The maximum duration for which one is permitted to stay in the country continuously from the date of entry.
<p class="ds-markdown-paragraph">All visa information is stored electronically within the UKVI system. The UKVI account and the linked electronic visa (eVisa) serve as the official confirmation of the lawful basis for staying in the United Kingdom.</p> <p class="ds-markdown-paragraph"> </p> <p class="ds-markdown-paragraph">A foreign national may stay in the UK under this visa for the duration specified in their eVisa.</p> <p> </p> <p>The length of stay depends on the status of the host family member. If a family member is British, Irish or permanently resident in the UK, there is no restriction on the applicant’s stay. If a family member has prior (temporary) residence status, the applicant may stay in the UK for as long as the host relative. In this case, for the extension of stay will be necessary to apply for an extension, as well as the host family.</p>
Individually
Extension of stay
The extension of the maximum duration of stay in the country initially permitted by the visa, subject to approval by the immigration authorities. This is typically processed within the country without the need for departure.
<p>The length of stay depends on the status of the host family member. If a family member is British, Irish or permanently resident in the UK, there is no restriction on the applicant’s stay. If a family member has prior (temporary) residence status, the applicant may stay in the UK for as long as the host relative. In this case, for the extension of stay will be necessary to apply for an extension as well as the host relative.</p>
multiple-entry
The ability to enter and exit the country an unlimited number of times, unless otherwise specified, within the visa's validity period.
Number of entries
A parameter specifying the number of times the visa holder can enter the country during its validity period. Visas can be single-entry, multiple-entry, or with a specified number of entries.
<p>This visa allows multiple entry into the country.</p>
5 months 18 days
Processing time
The period during which the immigration authorities review the application and make a decision regarding the issuance of the visa. Only business days are counted, excluding weekends and public holidays.
<p>Normally, for applications from outside the UK, it takes up to 24 weeks to process an application. This period may be extended in individual cases, especially when additional verification of the application is required.</p>
£3,635 (~$4,896)
Consular fee
A fee levied for the processing and evaluation of an application. This charge is non-refundable under any circumstances. In certain instances, the payment of supplementary fees may be required.
<p>The amount of consular fee depends on the residence permit of the host relative. If they have a temporary «protection status» (permission to stay as a refugee or under humanitarian protection), the amount of the fee is: - 404 pounds outside the UK; - £1,258 in the UK. Otherwise, the consular fee shall be: - £3,250 from outside the UK; - £1,258 in the UK. If the applicant cannot pay a fee, in certain situations he may be entitled to exemption from paying a fee.</p> <p> </p> <p>The consular fee is an official payment for processing a visa application by the UK embassy or consulate and does not include any additional fees that may be required depending on the place and method of submission, such as a visa centre fee, the cost of processing permits and other documents, postal and courier delivery of documents and others.</p>
Documents
A list of documents required for visa application. The exact list depends on the chosen visa type, the purpose of the visit, and the individual conditions of the applicant.
Mandatory
The essential minimum documents required for a visa application, such as a passport or visa application form. These are necessary regardless of the location, method, or conditions of the application.
Passport
Valid for the entire duration of the stay, or other travel document with all applications. The passport must have at least 1 page blank for a visa.
Supporting
Documents that specify, substantiate, and confirm the purpose of the visit, as well as provide necessary information about the applicant and their future activities in the country.
Information about children
The applicant needs to give details about own children (and the partner’s children if she/he has one). The applicant will be asked about all children, even if they’re not applying.
Information about life outside the UK
Information about countries outside the UK the applicant has lived in and visited, and about family and friends in the countries where she/he was born or has nationality.
Appendix 1 for form VAF4A
Family settlement as a child or adult dependent relative. Form to go with VAF4A (family visa) application for a child or an adult dependеnt relative.
Proof of need of long-term care
The applicant must prove that they need long-term care to carry out everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability, or age. The applicant must be 18 or over. The required care must not be available or affordable in the country where they live. Suitable documents include medical certificates, disability certificates, and other relevant evidence
Proof of accommodation and care
The UK relative whom the applicant is joining must demonstrate that they can provide suitable accommodation and long-term care for the applicant for either: the entire duration of the relative’s permission to stay in the UK; or for 5 years if the relative is a British citizen or settled in the UK. They must also have sufficient financial means to support the applicant without recourse to public funds.
Proof of a relative meets requirements
One of the following must apply to the relative: they’re a British or Irish citizen; they’ve settled in the UK; they’re from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and have pre-settled status; they have protection status (leave to remain as a refugee, permission to stay as a refugee or a person with humanitarian protection) in the UK.
Additional
Documents required vary depending on individual circumstances, specific visa conditions, the place, and the method of application.
Proof of financial means
Financial documents showing that the applicant has sufficient funds available, showing the access to the funds, such as: bank statements which detail the origin of the funds held; building society books which detail the origin of the funds held; proof of earnings, such as a letter from the employer confirming employment details (start date of employment, salary, role, company contact details).
Tuberculosis test certificate
If the applicant has been residing within a country listed in Appendix Tuberculosis (TB) of the Immigration Rules for the 6 months immediately preceding the application. The certificate must be no older than 6 months when applying for a visa. The test certificate must be from either an: approved test center abroad or in the UK.
Travel history
Copies of previous passports showing evidence of travel to other countries.
Documents for minor children
Legal document showing the relationship between the applicant and at least 1 of their parents or guardians, for example a birth certificate or adoption papers. If the foreigner is not traveling with the parent or guardian, they need to provide written consent from both parents or legal guardians (or one parent if they have sole responsibility).
Letter of invitation
From inviting persons or organizations, or sending organizations, with a description of the purpose of the visit and/or details of the event, coverage of financial costs and contact information.
Receipt of fee payment
Confirming full payment of visa fees and required charges.
Medical certificates
Health certificates, vaccination certificates, etc. depending on the purpose of the visit, citizenship and country of submission of documents by the applicant.
Proof of sponsorship
If someone else (the sponsor) is providing for travel, maintenance or accommodation it's necessary to provide evidence showing: what support is being provided and whether it extends to any dependent family and how this support is being provided; the person supporting the applicant has enough funds to adequately support themselves and their dependents.
Proof of accommodation
Hotel reservation, rental agreement, invitation from relatives, friends or organizations or other accommodation options.
Current immigration or residence status
Proof of legal residence if the applicant is not a national of the country in which he applies but has the right to reside there and if it is not included in the passport.
*Foreign official documents must be apostilled and legalized in accordance with the regulations of the country whose consular or diplomatic mission they are being submitted to. Additionally, they must be accompanied by a certified translation into the official language of that country or into English, unless otherwise specified by the mission's requirements.
**Prior to submitting the documents, it is strongly advised to verify the specific procedures and requirements with the relevant mission.
Requirements
The minimum criteria that each visa applicant must meet. If these criteria are not met, justifications and convincing evidence of intent to visit the country must be provided.
Clear purposes of the visit and documents confirming them, in accordance with the visa conditions.
The applicant does not pose a threat to public order, internal security, public health or international relations of the country.
Insurance policy for the entire period of stay, meeting the minimum mandatory or recommended requirements for the country.
Visa Information
The characteristics of a visa according to its classification by types, categories, and visit purposes. These are selected by the applicant during the application process, typically indicated on the visa application form and reflected in corresponding annotations on the visa itself.
English international
Type of visa
The primary purpose of the visa and the conditions under which it is issued. This typically includes several general categories of visas and/or visit purposes based on the type of activity or reasons for entering the country.
Family visa
Category
The classification within a visa type that specifies more specific conditions, characteristics of obtaining, and using the visa. Categories may vary in terms of duration, stay conditions, and the rights granted by the visa.
Family visa
Sources
Links to official resources upon which the information presented on the website is based. Information portals of government bodies or diplomatic representations of the country responsible for visa issuance and immigration policy in general.
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