Visit the UK for Medical Reasons
If you need to visit the UK for medical reasons, you can do so as a Standard Visitor for up to six months.
You can visit the UK for medical reasons to:
- have private medical treatment at a medical facility or hospital
- You must be able to prove that you have a medical condition that needs to be treated or assessed in the UK, have made plans for the consultation or treatment, have enough money to cover all the costs, intend to leave the country once finished (or before your visa expires), and that you possess no danger to public health.
- You must be able to present documentation from a doctor or consultant that confirms your condition, the estimated costs and length of the treatment or assessment, and where it will take place in the UK.
- have treatment at an NHS hospital, as long as the care is covered by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement.
- You will need to provide an authorisation form, issued by the government of your country, saying they will cover the costs of your treatment
- donate an organ to a family member (for example: a sibling or parent) or someone you are close to, such as a partner or close friend. This includes being assessed for donor match suitability.
- The person you’re donating to must be legally allowed to be in the UK. If they are not a UK resident, the recipient should also check if they need to apply for a visa before entry to the UK
- You will need a letter from a registered NHS consultant or General Medical Council specialist from the UK that confirms your relationship with the recipient, your donor match or suitability, and when and where the tests or transplant will take place. The letter cannot be more than 3 months old prior to your intended visit to the UK
Visiting the UK for medical reasons for up to 6 months is free. If your treatment will last longer than 6 months, you need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa.
If you apply for the visa before entry to the UK, a Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons allows you to stay up to 11 months for a fee of £200.
If you’re already in the UK on a 6-month Standard Visitor visa, and want to extend it to as much as 11 months, you can apply for an extension before your current visa expires.
The fee for a visa extension is £1000. Whether you apply for the visa before entry or extend it during your stay, you are still only allowed to visit on a single visa for up to 11 months in total from the first day of entry.
When visiting the UK for medical reasons, there is no limit on how many times you can extend your visa, but you will still need to pay the fee of £1000 every time you extend your stay.
- Ensure your medical reasons for visiting the UK as a Standard Visitor are permitted
- Ensure you have a copy of all documents required to enter the UK
- Check that you also meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor
- Check if you need to make an application for a Standard Visitor visa
- If you visit the UK often, you can apply for a long-term Standard Visitor visa instead
If you’re unsure whether you need a visa or how to apply for one, you can seek advice from one of our qualified migration agents below.