The UK is globally recognized for its excellence in healthcare. In 2020, the UK All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global Health reported that the UK benefits greatly from being home to world-leading health experts.
The country makes significant contributions to fields such as mental health, infectious diseases, genomics, surgery, family planning, and more. For patients worldwide, the UK offers access to advanced treatments, renowned specialists, and cutting-edge medical technology.
Eligibility
To qualify for a Standard Visitor visa for medical reasons, you will need to demonstrate in your application to the Home Office that you:
- Have been diagnosed with a medical condition that requires consultation or treatment in the UK
- Have made arrangements for consultations or treatment
- Have paid for or have the necessary funding for your medical treatment
- You do not pose a risk to public health in the UK (e.g. have an infectious disease such as leprosy)
- You genuinely intend to leave the UK when your medical treatment is completed
- You have enough funds to support yourself and your dependents while in the UK and to pay for a return or onward journey.
Requirements
Foreigners interested in visiting the UK on Health related issues will have the following document handy:
- Valid Passport: A passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay.
- Medical Evidence: A letter from your healthcare provider explaining the nature of your condition and why treatment in the UK is required.
- Proof of Funds: Evidence showing you have enough money to support your stay, including medical expenses.
- Accommodation Details: Where you will be staying during your visit.
- Visa Application Form: Completed visa application form online.
- Fee Payment: Payment of the visa application fee.
- Additional Documentation: Any other documents that may support your application (e.g., travel itinerary, sponsor letters).
How to Apply for a UK Medical Visa
After confirming that you are eligible for the Standard Visitor Visa for Medical Treatment, also referred to as a UK Medical Visa, you should fill online form with the correct details. Besides filling in your basic personal information such as names, contacts, date of birth, address, and national identification number, you need to disclose the full details of the personal information of your UK-based family members if you have relatives residing in the UK. Our immigration lawyers Lin ondon can streamline this whole process for you.
Here is the application process outlined below:
- Book and confirm the medical treatment you require in the UK before you apply
- Complete and submit the online visitor visa application– you will need to confirm your intention to come to the UK for medical treatment and explain the arrangements in place
- Pay the Standard Visitor visa application fee: £100 for up to 6 months or £200 for up to 11 months.
- Provide any evidence to support your application. This must include a letter from your doctor explaining your condition, the estimated cost and likely duration of treatment, and where the medical consultation/treatment will take place in the UK.
Processing time:
The earliest you can apply for a medical visa UK is 3 months before you travel. Having submitted your online application for a visa, you should get a decision from the UK within 3 weeks of attending your appointment at an overseas visa application centre.
Depending on what country you are applying from, you may be able to pay to get a quicker decision on your visa application by using a priority or super-priority service. You will need to check with the visa application centre in the country in which you are currently based.
For a stay of up to 6 months, the medical visitor visa fee is £115. For a stay of more than 6 months but not exceeding 11 months, the visa fee is £200.