UK Medical Visitor Advice in Birmingham & London

Visitors aren’t entitled to free NHS hospital treatment, and there’s no health surcharge to cover it. In England, hospitals charge most overseas visitors 150% of the NHS cost and must take payment in advance for treatment that isn’t urgent. NHS treatment paid for by your own government under a reciprocal arrangement needs that government’s authorisation form.

If you know before you travel that treatment will take more than 6 months, you need a visa whatever your nationality: apply for one of up to 11 months (£234), with your doctor’s evidence that treatment is likely to take more than 6 months but no more than 11. If treatment runs on after you arrive, you can apply in the UK to extend for a further 6 months (£1,172), even if you came without a visa.

There’s no limit. Each extension is for a further 6 months and costs £1,172. You must show you’ve paid for the treatment you’ve had, can pay for what’s next, and have a letter from a qualifying UK doctor about the further treatment you need.

Not just to escort or care for you: Home Office guidance says a relative, friend or nurse shouldn’t come solely as an escort. They can apply as a Standard Visitor in their own right, with their own application and fee, if they’re coming for a permitted purpose such as a family visit and meet the visitor rules. The 11-month visa and the medical extensions are only for the patient, so a companion can usually stay up to 6 months. Beyond that, the Home Office can only allow more time in compelling or exceptional circumstances, outside the Rules: we’d tell you whether that’s realistic and refer you where it needs a higher level of advice.

Yes, to a relative you’re genetically related to or someone you’re close to, who is lawfully in the UK. You need evidence you’re a match or being tested, and a letter from the transplant team dated no more than 3 months before you arrive. In England, if the person you’re donating to lives in the UK, the NHS covers the donation itself (assessment, surgery and follow-up) during your visit.

For up to 6 months, you usually need an ETA (£20) rather than a visa, but you must still meet the visitor rules and may be asked about your treatment at the border. For more than 6 months, you need a visa. If you’ve been refused before or have a criminal record, GOV.UK suggests applying for a visa even if you don’t need one.

You can’t work, paid or unpaid, or claim benefits. You can do other things visitors are allowed to do, such as seeing family or sightseeing, as long as your treatment is genuine.

There’s no administrative review, and no right of appeal unless the refusal was of a human rights or protection claim. You can apply again with evidence that deals with the reasons given. A visitor refusal also usually means a later ETA application will be refused, so you’d need a visa.