Many people living in the UK wish to reunite with their wider family, including siblings. However, UK immigration law is very strict about which family members you can sponsor to live here permanently. Unlike visas for partners, children or dependent parents, there is no straightforward sibling sponsorship route.
So, can you bring your brother or sister to live in the UK? The short answer is that it is only possible in very limited circumstances, and most siblings will need to consider alternative visa options.
Is there a specific sibling visa?
The UK does not offer a dedicated sibling visa. Family visas are generally restricted to spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, dependent children and, in some cases, dependent parents. Brothers and sisters are not automatically eligible to apply under family visa rules.
This means that if you want to bring a sibling to live in the UK, you cannot simply apply under the family visa category. Instead, you would need to explore other immigration options, with the Adult Dependent Relative visa being the only possible family-based route.
Adult Dependent Relative visa: the only possible route
The Adult Dependent Relative (ADR) visa allows certain family members to come to the UK if they require long-term personal care. In theory, this route can apply to siblings, but the criteria are extremely strict. To qualify, your brother or sister must:
- Be over the age of 18.
- Require long-term personal care due to age, illness or disability.
- Be unable to obtain the required care in their home country, either because it is not available or not affordable.
- Be supported financially and in terms of accommodation by you in the UK, without needing access to public funds.
Applications under this route are often refused because of the high threshold of evidence required. It is not enough to show that life would be easier in the UK – the sibling must prove they genuinely cannot access the level of care they need in their home country.
Alternative routes for siblings
If your brother or sister does not qualify for the Adult Dependent Relative visa, they may still be able to come to the UK under a different immigration category. While these options do not involve sponsorship by you, they can provide lawful ways for siblings to live, work or study in the UK. Common alternatives include:
- Visitor visas – These allow siblings to visit the UK for up to six months, but they do not provide a route to settlement.
- Work or Skilled Worker visas – If your sibling has a job offer from a licensed UK employer, they may be able to apply for a work visa.
- Student visas – Studying at a UK university or college can be a temporary route, sometimes leading to work opportunities afterwards.
- UK Ancestry visas – If your sibling has a grandparent who was born in the UK, they may qualify for this route, which can lead to settlement after five years.
Each of these routes has its own eligibility criteria, and the most suitable option will depend on your sibling’s age, qualifications and personal circumstances.
What this means for you
While there is no straightforward visa to sponsor your sibling to live in the UK, limited options are available. The Adult Dependent Relative visa is only viable in exceptional cases, but alternative routes such as work, study or ancestry visas may provide more realistic pathways.
At Osbourne Pinner Solicitors, we help families explore every possible option, from assessing ADR eligibility to guiding applicants through alternative visa processes. If you are hoping to bring your brother or sister to the UK, expert advice from immigration solicitors can make all the difference in identifying the best route.
We make that easier with a free 30-minute consultation. You can come to meet us in Harrow, Canary Wharf, Piccadilly Circus and Manchester – or simply speak to us on a video call from wherever you’re based. Get started today by calling 0203 983 5080, emailing [email protected] or filling out the form below.
