NHS Access: What Your Visa Entitles You To
What you need to know
- •If you paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), you can use the NHS like a UK resident.
- •The IHS is £1,035 per year for most visa holders, or £776 per year for students.
- •A&E treatment and certain infectious disease treatment are free for everyone, regardless of visa status.
- •You can register with a GP practice on any visa. Practices cannot refuse you based on immigration status.
- •Dental and optical care have separate charges that apply to most people, including visa holders.
Most visa holders who have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge are entitled to NHS treatment on the same basis as UK residents. This guide covers who pays, what is free, how to register with a GP, and the differences between England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
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How the NHS Works for Visa Holders
The National Health Service provides healthcare to everyone living in the UK. However, the way you access the NHS and what you pay depends on your immigration status. The key distinction is between people who are "ordinarily resident" in the UK and those who are not.
If you hold a visa of more than 6 months and have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), you are treated as ordinarily resident for NHS purposes. This means you can access most NHS services on the same basis as a British citizen or settled person.
If you are on a short-term visa of 6 months or less (such as a Standard Visitor visa), you are generally not entitled to free NHS treatment except for services that are exempt from charges for everyone.
The Immigration Health Surcharge
The IHS is a fee that most visa applicants pay when they submit their visa application. It was introduced in 2015 and has increased significantly since then.
As of 2026, the rates are:
- Standard rate: £1,035 per year
- Student rate: £776 per year (applies to Student visas and Youth Mobility Scheme)
The surcharge covers the entire duration of your visa. If you apply for a 3-year Skilled Worker visa, you pay 3 times the annual rate. If your visa is for 2 years and 6 months, you pay for 3 years (the surcharge is calculated in 6-month blocks, rounded up).
You pay the IHS when you apply for your visa, before the visa is granted. If your visa application is refused, the IHS payment is automatically refunded. You must also pay the IHS when you extend your visa or switch to a different visa category.
Who Is Exempt from the IHS?
Certain visa applicants do not need to pay the IHS. According to GOV.UK guidance, exemptions include:
- Applicants for Indefinite Leave to Remain (they are already settled or becoming settled)
- Asylum seekers and refugees
- Victims of modern slavery
- Children in local authority care
- Applicants under certain diplomatic or NATO arrangements
Registering with a GP
Your GP (General Practitioner) is your main point of contact with the NHS. GPs provide primary care, refer you to specialists, and manage ongoing conditions. Registering with a GP is one of the first things you should do when you arrive in the UK.
The process is straightforward:
- Find a GP practice near where you live. You can search on the NHS website.
- Contact the practice and ask to register as a new patient.
- Complete a registration form (GMS1 form). The practice will provide this.
- You may be invited for a new patient health check, but this is optional.
Importantly, GP practices cannot refuse to register you because of your immigration status. NHS England guidance is clear on this point. You do not need to provide proof of address, identification, or an NHS number to register, although practices may request these to help with administration.
If a GP practice refuses to register you, ask them to explain in writing. You can also contact NHS England to make a complaint or ask to be assigned to a practice.
What NHS Services Are Free for Everyone?
Certain NHS services are provided free of charge to everyone in the UK, regardless of immigration status or whether you have paid the IHS. These include:
- Accident and Emergency (A&E) treatment: Initial treatment in A&E is free for everyone. However, if you are admitted to hospital or receive follow-up treatment, charges may apply if you have not paid the IHS.
- Treatment for certain infectious diseases: This includes tuberculosis, COVID-19, and other diseases where treatment protects public health.
- Family planning services: Contraception, advice, and related services.
- Treatment for sexually transmitted infections.
- Treatment under a section of the Mental Health Act.
- Treatment required by a court order.
These exemptions apply even if you are on a visitor visa or have overstayed your visa. The NHS will not refuse emergency or exempt treatment.
What NHS Services Require the IHS?
If you have paid the IHS, you are entitled to the full range of NHS services, including:
- GP consultations and referrals
- Hospital treatment (including surgery and inpatient care)
- Maternity care
- Mental health services
- Community health services
Without the IHS, and without another exemption, you would be charged at 150% of the NHS tariff for most hospital treatments. These charges can be very significant. A routine surgery could cost thousands of pounds.
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Prescriptions, Dental, and Optical Care
Prescriptions
In England, most adults pay a standard prescription charge (currently £9.90 per item in 2026). This applies to everyone, including British citizens. You can reduce costs with a Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC) if you need regular prescriptions.
Prescriptions are free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland for everyone, including visa holders.
Dental Care
NHS dental care has separate charges. In England, there are three bands of treatment, ranging from about £26 for a check-up to over £300 for complex treatment like crowns and dentures. These charges apply to everyone who is not exempt (exemptions include pregnant women, new mothers, under-18s, and people on certain benefits).
Finding an NHS dentist can be difficult, as many practices are full. You may need to join a waiting list or consider private dental care.
Optical Care
NHS eye tests are free if you are under 16, over 60, or have certain medical conditions. Otherwise, you pay for eye tests and glasses privately. Some people on low incomes may qualify for help through the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Differences Across the UK
Healthcare is a devolved matter, which means England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland each run their own NHS system. The main differences relevant to visa holders are:
- England: Prescription charges apply. NHS dental charges apply.
- Scotland: Prescriptions are free. NHS dental check-ups are free for adults.
- Wales: Prescriptions are free. Free dental check-ups for under-25s and over-60s.
- Northern Ireland: Prescriptions are free.
Your IHS entitlement works across all four nations. If you move within the UK, you simply re-register with a new GP in your area.
Maternity Care on a Visa
Maternity care is considered "immediately necessary" treatment by the NHS. This means it will always be provided, regardless of your ability to pay or your immigration status. However, if you have not paid the IHS and do not have another exemption, you may be charged for maternity care after the treatment.
If you have paid the IHS, all maternity care is free, including antenatal appointments, birth, and postnatal care. You should register with a GP and a midwife as early in your pregnancy as possible.
Mental Health Services
Mental health services are available through the NHS. You can access them through your GP, who can refer you to specialist services or prescribe medication. In England, you can also self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies (previously IAPT) for conditions like anxiety and depression without seeing your GP first.
If you have paid the IHS, mental health services are free. Waiting times for specialist services can be long, so private therapy may be worth considering if you need urgent support.
What Happens When Your Visa Expires?
Your NHS entitlement through the IHS lasts for the duration of your visa. If your visa expires and you do not extend it, your IHS coverage ends. From that point, you would be treated as an overseas visitor and may be charged for non-exempt NHS services.
If you apply to extend your visa before it expires, your existing IHS coverage continues until a decision is made on your application. You will also pay a new IHS for the extension period.
If you are granted Indefinite Leave to Remain or British citizenship, you become permanently entitled to NHS care without needing the IHS.
Tips for Managing Your Healthcare on a Visa
- Register with a GP as soon as you arrive. Do not wait until you are ill.
- Keep a copy of your IHS payment confirmation and your visa or BRP. You may occasionally be asked to show these.
- If you are charged for treatment you believe should be free, challenge it. Contact the hospital's overseas visitor team and provide evidence of your IHS payment.
- Consider getting a Prescription Prepayment Certificate if you live in England and need regular medication.
- Register with an NHS dentist early. Waiting lists can be long.
- Check whether your employer offers private health insurance as a benefit. Many do, and it can supplement your NHS access.
This guide is general information, not immigration advice. Immigration rules change frequently. For advice on your specific situation, consult an OISC-registered adviser or immigration solicitor. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules.
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