Overview
To apply for long-term care in the UK from a parent, grandchild, brother, sister, son, or daughter who is a permanent resident in the country, you must be outside the UK. Additionally, one of the following must apply to your relative: they are a British or Irish citizen, they have settled status in the UK (e.g., indefinite leave to remain, settled status, or proof of permanent residence), they are from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with pre-settled status (having started living in the UK before 1 January 2021), or they have refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK. If your family member has settled or pre-settled status, you may be eligible to apply through the free EU Settlement Scheme.
To be eligible, you must provide evidence for the following: you require long-term care for everyday personal and household tasks due to illness, disability, or age; the necessary care is not available or affordable in your current country of residence; the person you will be joining in the UK can support, accommodate, and care for you without relying on public funds for a minimum of 5 years; and you are 18 years or older.
The duration of your stay depends on the status of your family member. If your family member is British, Irish, or settled in the UK, your stay is unlimited, and you will not need to apply for an extension or settlement. If your family member has pre-settled status and started living in the UK before 1 January 2021, you can stay as long as they do and will need to apply to extend or settle when they do. Similarly, if your family member has refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK, you can stay as long as they do and must apply for an extension or settlement when they do.