If you intend to travel to the United Kingdom to receive private medical treatment or to donate an organ, unless you are a non-visa national, you will need to apply for a visa prior to your trip. 

Do I require a UK medical visa?

If you intend to travel to the United Kingdom for private medical treatment or organ donation, you may or may not need a visa in advance, depending on your country of origin. Even though the majority of non-UK resident EEA and Swiss nationals are now subject to the UK's new points-based immigration system following Brexit, they will still be permitted to visit the UK visa-free for up to six months. This includes medical tourists, provided they do not intend to engage in any activity prohibited by the UK's Immigration Rules, including employment.

There are also nationals from a number of other countries who can visit the United Kingdom for medical purposes without a visa. These individuals are referred to as non-visa nationals.

What is a UK medical visa?

The United Kingdom does not offer a visa specifically for medical purposes. Instead, you would apply for a UK visitor visa, which allows visa nationals to enter the UK for up to 11 months for medical purposes. This could involve travelling to the United Kingdom for private medical care at a hospital or another medical facility. It could also include travelling to the United Kingdom for treatment at a National Health Service (NHS) facility, as long as the care is paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare agreement. In addition, a medical visa allows you to enter the United Kingdom if you have agreed to be an organ donor for a family member or close associate, or if you wish to be evaluated as a potential organ donor.

If you are a non-visa national who needs to visit the United Kingdom for more than six months, you will need to apply and be approved by UKVI for a medical visa UK in advance of travel.

What Are the Requirements for a Medical Visa?

To qualify for a Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa, you must demonstrate to UK Visas & Immigration that:

• You are a visa national (a non-visa national can normally seek entry as a Visitor on arrival at the UK border);
• You are genuinely seeking entry to the UK for a purpose that is permitted by the visitor routes, in this case for medical treatment or organ donation;
• You will not undertake any prohibited activities;
• You have sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs in relation to your visit (including travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs) without working or accessing public funds;
• You will leave the UK at the end of your visit;
• You will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home;
• Your application does not fall for refusal under the general grounds for refusal.

Private medical treatment

The following eligibility requirements must be met in accordance with the additional criteria for visitors seeking private medical treatment in the United Kingdom:

• if you have been found to be suffering from a communicable disease, you must have satisfied the medical inspector that you are not a danger to public health
• you must have arranged your private medical treatment in the UK before you travel
• you must provide a letter from either your doctor or consultant in the UK detailing the medical condition requiring consultation or treatment, plus the estimated costs and likely duration, which must be finite, and where the consultation/treatment will be taking place
• if you plan to receive NHS treatment under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement between the UK and another country, you must provide an authorisation form issued by the government of that country
• if you are applying to come to the UK for up to 11 months, you must also provide either evidence from your doctor or consultant based in the UK that the proposed treatment is likely to exceed 6 months, but no more than 11 months, or if you intend to receive NHS treatment under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement, an authorisation form which states that the proposed treatment is again likely to exceed 6 months, but not 11 months

Organ Donor

Under the additional criteria for visitors to the United Kingdom who wish to donate an organ or be evaluated as a potential donor match, the following eligibility requirements must be met:

• you must genuinely intend to donate one of your organs too, or be assessed as a potential donor for, an identified recipient in the United Kingdom with whom you have a genetic or close personal relationship;
• you must provide written confirmation of tests to show that you are a donor match for the identified recipient, or that you are undergoing further tests to be assessed as their potential donor;
• you must provide a letter, dated no more than three months before you intend to donate;
• if required, you must be able to demonstrate that the identified recipient is currently lawfully present in the United Kingdom or will be at the time of the planned transplant.

How Long Can I Apply for a Private Medical Treatment Visa?

The majority of visitors seeking private medical treatment are anticipated to hold a medical visa for no more than six months. A period exceeding eleven months may be acceptable if a doctor or consultant provides supporting documentation.

If you submit for an 11-month Private Medical Treatment visa for the United Kingdom, you may need to consider whether tuberculosis (TB) certificate is required. 

Can I extend a medical visa UK?

UKVI ought to grant you an initial stay of 11 months if you are aware in advance that your medical treatment will last longer than six months, and the supporting documentation clearly demonstrates this. Alternatively, you can initially apply for a visa for up to six months and then apply to remain in the UK for an additional six months.

There is no maximum number of times you can extend your stay in the United Kingdom, provided you satisfy the following conditions:

• you have paid for any medical treatment you have already received in the United Kingdom;
• you can and will pay the additional costs of your medical treatment;
• you continue to satisfy the criteria for a UK medical visa.

Each time you apply to extend your stay for medical reasons, regardless of your nationality, you will be charged £1000. You must also apply for an extension while you are in the United Kingdom and before your current visa expires. In support of an extension application for a UK medical visa, you must submit the following documents:

• Written evidence from a UK-registered medical practitioner or NHS consultant describing your medical condition that requires further treatment.

If you are receiving ongoing care at an NHS facility under a reciprocal healthcare agreement, you will be required to submit an additional authorization form from your country's government stating that they will pay for your continued care.

Can a family member Accompany Private Medical Treatment Visa Applicants?

Individuals accompanying a visitor who is receiving medical treatment in the United Kingdom as a Medical Visitor are required to apply for a visitor visa and comply with Visitor of the Immigration Rules. Unfortunately, there is no provision allowing those accompanying a visitor receiving medical treatment to apply to extend their stay beyond six months. 

If the person accompanying the visitor receiving private medical treatment wishes to remain in the United Kingdom for more than six months, you should consider whether there are compelling, compassionate, or exceptional circumstances that would justify a grant of leave outside the rules.



To discuss how best to come to the UK to receive medical treatment, how to apply for a medical treatment visa UK, or how to extend your stay and that of your family members, please speak to our team at 020 3865 6219 or leave a message.