Can I register with a GP on a visa?

Yes. Everyone in England can register with a GP, regardless of their immigration status. GP surgeries cannot refuse to register you because you are on a visa, do not have proof of address, or do not have an NHS number. GP registration is free.

What documents do I need to register with a GP?

Strictly, you do not need any documents to register. A GP surgery should register you even without ID, proof of address, or an NHS number. However, bringing your passport, proof of address, and visa details will make the process smoother. If a surgery refuses to register you without documents, this is against NHS England guidance.

How do I find a GP near me?

Use the NHS 'Find a GP' tool on the NHS website (nhs.uk). Enter your postcode and it will show GP surgeries near you, whether they are accepting new patients, and their contact details. You can register with any surgery in your area, not just the closest one.

What if a GP surgery refuses to register me?

If a GP surgery refuses to register you, ask them to explain why in writing. GP surgeries can only refuse registration if they have reasonable grounds (such as being full or you living outside their catchment area). They cannot refuse based on immigration status, lack of ID, or lack of proof of address. If you believe you have been wrongly refused, contact NHS England on 0300 311 2233.

Registering with a GP as a Visa Holder

Q: Do I need to pay for GP appointments?

No. GP appointments are free for everyone registered with a GP practice, regardless of visa status. If you have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your visa application, you are entitled to NHS services on the same basis as a UK resident. This includes GP appointments, hospital treatment, and prescriptions (though prescription charges apply in England).

Everyone in England can register with a GP, regardless of immigration status. If you have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, you are entitled to NHS services on the same terms as a UK resident. Registration is free, and you do not strictly need documents to register, though having them helps. This guide covers the full process.

Your Right to NHS Care

If you are in the UK on a visa and have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) (details on GOV.UK) as part of your visa application, you are entitled to NHS healthcare as outlined in the migrant health guide on the same basis as a permanent UK resident. This includes:

Free GP appointments
Free hospital treatment
Free mental health services
Prescriptions (subject to the standard prescription charge of £9.90 per item in England, though exemptions exist)
Dental treatment (NHS dental charges apply)

Even if you have not paid the IHS (for example, if you are on a visa type that is exempt), certain NHS services are always free: GP appointments, A&E treatment, treatment for certain infectious diseases, and family planning services.

How to Find a GP

You can read the official NHS guide on registering with a GP and use the NHS "Find a GP" tool to search for GP surgeries near your address. The tool shows:

Surgeries in your area
Whether they are accepting new patients
Contact details and opening hours
Patient reviews and ratings

You can register with any GP surgery that covers your area. You do not have to choose the nearest one. Consider factors like opening hours, appointment availability, and proximity to your work or home.

How to Register

Contact the surgery. Call or visit the GP surgery you have chosen. Ask to register as a new patient.
Complete the registration form (GMS1). The surgery will give you a GMS1 form to fill in with your personal details, medical history, and contact information. Some surgeries allow online registration.
Provide documents (if you have them). While not strictly required, the following will speed up the process:
- Passport or eVisa details
- Proof of address (utility bill, tenancy agreement)
- NHS number (if you have one from a previous registration)
Wait for confirmation. The surgery will confirm your registration, usually within a few days. They will assign you to a GP within the practice.

You Do NOT Need Documents

This is worth emphasising. NHS England's guidance is clear: GP surgeries must not refuse registration because a patient cannot provide identification, proof of address, or an NHS number.

In practice, some surgeries may ask for documents as a matter of routine. If you have them, providing them makes the process smoother. But if you do not (for example, because you have just arrived and do not yet have a utility bill), the surgery should still register you.

If a surgery tries to refuse you, politely point them to the NHS England guidance on patient registration. If they still refuse, contact NHS England.

What Happens After Registration

Once registered, you can:

Book appointments. Most surgeries offer phone, online, and in-person bookings. Some also offer video consultations.
Get prescriptions. Your GP can prescribe medication. In England, each prescription item costs £9.90 (2026). If you need regular prescriptions, consider a prepayment certificate (PPC) which caps your costs.
Get referrals. If you need specialist care, your GP refers you to a hospital consultant.
Access mental health services. GPs can refer you to NHS talking therapies (IAPT) and other mental health services.
Get vaccinations. Routine vaccinations and travel vaccines may be available through your GP.

The NHS App

Once you are registered with a GP, download the NHS App (available on iOS and Android). The app lets you:

Book and manage GP appointments
Order repeat prescriptions
View your medical records
Access your NHS Covid Pass (if needed for travel)
Find NHS services near you

Setting up the NHS App requires your NHS number, which the GP surgery can provide after you register.

Prescription Exemptions

While most adults in England pay for prescriptions, some people are exempt:

Children under 16 (or under 19 in full-time education)
People aged 60 and over
Pregnant women and women who have had a baby in the last 12 months
People with certain medical conditions (diabetes, epilepsy, cancer, and others)
People on low incomes (apply for an HC2 certificate)

In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free for everyone.

Urgent and Emergency Care

If you need urgent care outside GP hours:

NHS 111: Call 111 (or use the 111 online service) for urgent medical advice when it is not a life-threatening emergency.
Urgent Treatment Centres: Walk-in centres for urgent but not emergency conditions. No appointment needed.
A&E (Accident and Emergency): For life-threatening emergencies. Call 999 or go directly to your nearest A&E department. A&E is always free, regardless of immigration status.

Common Problems

The surgery says they are not accepting new patients

Some surgeries genuinely have a closed list due to capacity. This is not related to your visa status. Try another surgery in your area. If all nearby surgeries are full, contact NHS England who can help you find one.

The surgery asks for my visa or immigration documents

They can ask, but they cannot make it a condition of registration. Providing your documents voluntarily is fine and helps with administration, but lack of documents is not a valid reason to refuse registration.

I do not have an NHS number

You will be assigned an NHS number when you register with a GP for the first time. You do not need one in advance.

Next Steps

Register with a GP as soon as possible after arriving in the UK. Do not wait until you are ill. Having a GP registration in place means you can access care quickly when you need it. Download the NHS App after registering to manage appointments and prescriptions.

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