Can I use the NHS for maternity care on a UK visa?

Yes. If you have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application, you are entitled to NHS maternity care on the same basis as a UK resident. This includes antenatal appointments, delivery, and postnatal care.

Is maternity care free for visa holders?

If you have paid the IHS, NHS maternity care is free at the point of use. If you have not paid the IHS and are not otherwise exempt, you may be charged 150% of the NHS tariff for maternity services. However, maternity care is classified as immediately necessary and will not be withheld.

Will using NHS maternity care affect my visa?

No. Accessing maternity care on the NHS will not negatively affect your visa status or future applications. The NHS is a separate system from immigration enforcement, and healthcare providers do not report patients to the Home Office for receiving treatment.

Can I register with a GP while pregnant on a visa?

Yes. You can register with a GP regardless of your immigration status. GP practices should not refuse registration based on your visa type. Once registered, you can access antenatal care referrals through your GP.

What if I become pregnant while on a visitor visa?

Visitor visa holders are not covered by the IHS. If you need maternity care while on a visitor visa, the NHS will provide it as it is classified as immediately necessary, but you may be charged afterwards. It is advisable to have travel insurance that covers pregnancy.

Pregnancy and NHS Care on a UK Visa: Your Rights in 2026

Visa holders who have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge are entitled to full NHS maternity care. Even those without IHS coverage will not be refused urgent maternity treatment. This guide covers your rights, how to access care, and what costs may apply.

Your Entitlement to NHS Maternity Care

If you are living in the UK on a visa and have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), you are entitled to use the NHS on the same basis as a permanent resident. This includes all maternity services: antenatal care, scans, blood tests, delivery (whether at hospital or a birth centre), and postnatal care.

The NHS provides maternity care free at the point of use for IHS-paying visa holders. You do not need to pay anything additional at the hospital or GP surgery.

How to Access Maternity Care

The first step is to register with a GP. You can do this at any GP practice near your home. Once registered:

Book an appointment with your GP to confirm your pregnancy.
Your GP will refer you to a midwife for your first antenatal appointment (booking appointment), usually around 8-10 weeks of pregnancy.
You will be assigned a midwife and a hospital or birth centre for your care.
Attend regular antenatal appointments throughout your pregnancy.

You can also self-refer to a midwifery service in many areas without going through your GP first. Check your local NHS trust's website for details.

What Maternity Services Are Included

NHS maternity care covers:

Antenatal appointments and check-ups
Ultrasound scans (typically at 12 weeks and 20 weeks)
Blood tests and screening
Mental health support during and after pregnancy
Labour and delivery care
Emergency caesarean sections and other interventions
Postnatal care and health visitor visits
Breastfeeding support

NHS prescriptions during pregnancy are free in England. You will receive a maternity exemption certificate from your midwife that entitles you to free prescriptions and free NHS dental care during pregnancy and for 12 months after birth.

If You Do Not Have IHS Coverage

If you have not paid the IHS (for example, if you are on a visitor visa, or your visa has expired), the rules are different but the core message is important: maternity care will not be refused.

The NHS classifies maternity care as "immediately necessary" treatment. This means hospitals must provide it regardless of your ability to pay or your immigration status. However, you may be charged after treatment. The charge is typically 150% of the standard NHS tariff.

If you cannot afford the charges, speak to the hospital's overseas patient team. Payment plans may be available, and in some cases, charges can be reduced or waived based on financial hardship.

NHS Charges and Immigration

There is an important distinction between NHS debt and immigration consequences. While unpaid NHS debts of over 500 pounds can be reported to the Home Office and may affect future visa applications, this should not prevent you from seeking maternity care. Your health and your baby's health must come first.

If you are concerned about charges, seek advice from organisations like Maternity Action or community support groups that help immigrants access healthcare.

Maternity Benefits and Financial Support

Your eligibility for maternity benefits depends on your visa conditions. If your visa includes a "no recourse to public funds" condition, you cannot claim most welfare benefits. However:

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP): Paid by your employer, not the government. This is not a public fund, so you can receive it regardless of your visa conditions.
Maternity Allowance: This is a public fund and is not available if you have no recourse to public funds.
Sure Start Maternity Grant: Also a public fund, so restricted for most visa holders.
Healthy Start vouchers: Available regardless of immigration status for qualifying low-income families.

Read more about child benefit for visa holders and childcare options in our related guides.

Registering Your Baby's Birth

After your baby is born, you must register the birth within 42 days in England and Wales (21 days in Scotland). This is a legal requirement regardless of your immigration status. The birth certificate does not confer immigration status on the child.

Your child's nationality depends on the immigration status of both parents at the time of birth. A child born in the UK to a parent with ILR or British citizenship is typically a British citizen. A child born to parents on temporary visas is not automatically British. See our guide on children born in the UK for more details.

Your Rights as a Patient

As a patient using NHS maternity services, you have the right to:

Choose where to give birth (home, hospital, or birth centre), subject to availability and medical advice.
An interpreter if you do not speak English fluently. Request one through your midwife or hospital.
A female healthcare professional for examinations if you prefer.
Refuse treatment or interventions (with the understanding that medical staff may advise against this).

The NHS Constitution sets out your rights as a patient.

Next Steps

If you are pregnant and on a UK visa, register with a GP as soon as possible and begin your antenatal care. If you have concerns about costs or entitlements, contact Maternity Action's advice line or your local Citizens Advice bureau.

Related guides:

Pregnancy and NHS Maternity Care on a UK Visa