Enter the UK as an S2 Healthcare Visitor
You can enter the UK as an S2 Healthcare Visitor if you have been authorised to receive planned healthcare in the UK under the ‘S2 arrangement' or you're accompanying or joining someone who is.
Overview
You can come to the UK as an S2 Healthcare Visitor if either of the following apply:
- you’ve been authorised to receive planned healthcare treatment in the UK under the ‘S2 arrangement’
- you’re accompanying or joining someone receiving planned healthcare treatment under the ‘S2 arrangement’ to provide them with care or support
The ‘S2 arrangement’ allows people residing in the EEA or Switzerland to obtain planned healthcare treatment in another EEA country at the expense of their home state.
As an S2 Healthcare Visitor you can’t:
- have NHS-funded treatment that was not prearranged, unless it is emergency medical treatment
- work, even temporary work is not allowed
- study
- access public funds
If you’re an EEA or Swiss citizen or other non-visa national
You will not need to apply for a visa and will be granted permission to enter the UK on each arrival for 6 months as an S2 Healthcare Visitor if you meet the eligibility criteria.
You may be asked to provide evidence that you’re eligible at the border. EEA or Swiss citizens and nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the USA will still be able to enter the UK through an eGate.
If you’re an Irish citizen
You do not need to apply for a visa and continue to have a right to enter the UK under the Common Travel Area arrangements.
If you need a visa to travel to the UK
You must apply for an S2 Healthcare Visitor visa before you travel. You will need to meet the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility criteria
Patient
You must have requested authorisation to receive planned healthcare treatment under the ‘S2 arrangement’ by 31 December 2020 (the end of the UK transition period).
You must have evidence the request has been approved by your home state, and the arrangements agreed with the treating facility in the UK, in the form of an S2 certificate of entitlement to scheduled treatment (also known as a ‘Portable Document S2’).
Accompanying or joining a patient
You can accompany or join a patient undergoing S2 authorised treatment in the UK for the purpose of providing care or support to them during the treatment. You will need to make your own application for an S2 Healthcare Visitor visa if you need one.
You must be resident in the EEA or Switzerland and must be travelling with, or joining, a patient who has been authorised to receive planned healthcare treatment under the ‘S2 arrangement’.
Children
If you’re under 18 you must meet the following criteria:
- you must have made suitable arrangements for your travel and stay in the UK
- you must have consent from your parent or legal guardian to travel to the UK
- you must have enough funds to support yourself without working or getting help from public funds, or you have family and friends that can support you
Information you need to provide
If you need to apply for an S2 Healthcare Visitor visa before you travel to the UK, you will need to provide the information listed below in the ‘additional information about your application’ part of the online application form and upload evidence to support this information.
If you do not need a visa you may be asked to provide this evidence at the border and you should keep it with you whilst in the UK.
If you’re a patient
You’ll need to provide:
- your S2 certificate of entitlement to scheduled treatment (also known as a ‘Portable Document S2’)
- a current passport or other valid travel document
- financial documents showing you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay and for your return or onward journey (for example a bank statement or proof of earnings) – maintenance and accommodation can be provided by someone else but you’ll need to show they have sufficient funds to support you
If you’re accompanying or joining a patient in the UK
You’ll need to provide:
- evidence the person you are accompanying or joining is undergoing S2 authorised treatment in the UK and qualifies as an S2 Healthcare Visitor, which must be either:
- details of the patient’s valid S2 Healthcare Visitor visa or permission to stay
- a copy of the patient’s S2 certificate of entitlement to scheduled treatment (‘Portable Document S2’) and a copy of the bio data page of the patient’s passport or travel document (the page with the person’s photograph)
- proof you are resident in the EEA or Switzerland
- your current passport or valid travel document
- financial documents showing you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay and for your return or onward journey (for example a bank statement or proof of earnings) - maintenance and accommodation can be provided by someone else but you will need to show they have sufficient funds to support you
If you’re a child
If you are a child and not travelling with your parents or legal guardian, you must also provide consent to travel from your parent or legal guardian and confirmation of their support for your living and care arrangements in the UK.
When you can travel to the UK
You can travel to the UK as an S2 Healthcare Visitor from 1 January 2021. You will be able to stay in the UK for up to six months after you arrive.
Apply for an S2 Healthcare Visitor visa
When to apply
If you need a visa to enter the UK the earliest you can apply for an S2 Healthcare Visitor visa is 3 months before you travel.
In most cases you should get a decision on your visa within a week when you apply from outside the UK.
If you need help with your application contact UK Visas and Immigration.
Apply online from outside the UK
You must apply online. As part of your application you need to book an appointment at a visa application centre. You’ll have your fingerprints and photograph (known as ‘biometric information’) taken at your appointment.
Fees
It’s free to apply. You don’t have to pay the Immigration healthcare surcharge.
Extend your S2 Healthcare Visitor visa
You will be allowed to stay in the UK as an S2 Healthcare Visitor for up to 6 months. You can apply to extend your stay as an S2 Healthcare Visitor for free, from within the UK, if the planned healthcare treatment period is taking longer than 6 months.
You will need to complete the required application form and show you continue to meet the eligibility requirements.
If you’re a patient
You’ll need to provide:
- your current valid passport or travel document you used to enter the UK
- 2 passport-sized photos which meet the passport photo requirements
- the valid S2 certificate of entitlement to scheduled treatment (‘Portable Document S2’) which covers the extension period you’re applying for or a letter from the doctor or other health professional providing the treatment in the UK detailing the further treatment required
- financial documents showing you have enough funds to support yourself during your extended stay and for your return or onward journey (for example a bank statement or proof of earnings) – maintenance and accommodation can be provided by someone else but you’ll need to show they have sufficient funds to support you
If you’re an accompanying person
You’ll need to provide:
- your current valid passport or other travel document you used to enter the UK
- 2 passport-sized photos which meet the passport photo requirements
- proof you are resident in the EEA or Switzerland
- evidence the person you are accompanying is undergoing S2 authorised treatment in the UK and qualifies for permission to stay as an S2 Healthcare Visitor, which must be one of the following:
- details of the patient’s valid permission to stay as an S2 Healthcare Visitor
- a copy of the patient’s S2 certificate of entitlement to scheduled treatment (‘Portable Document S2’) which covers the extension period you’re applying for and a copy of the bio data page of the patient’s valid passport or travel document (the page with the person’s photograph)
- a copy of the letter from the patient’s doctor or other health professional providing the treatment in the UK detailing the further treatment required and a copy of the bio data page of the patient’s valid passport or travel document (the page with the person’s photograph)
- financial documents showing you have enough funds to support yourself during your extended stay and for your return or onward journey (for example a bank statement or proof of earnings) – maintenance and accommodation can be provided by someone else but you’ll need to show they have sufficient funds to support you
Apply for an extension
If you’re an S2 Healthcare Visitor with the required evidence you need to extend your stay, you should send an email to the S2 Healthcare Visitor Extensions (Only) Inbox at [email protected].
The email should contain your:
- name
- nationality
- date of birth
- contact details, including your contact address in the UK and telephone number
We will then contact you and ask further questions to confirm you’re eligible and that you are currently in the UK as an S2 Healthcare Visitor. We will email you an application form to complete.
You’ll need to send your completed application form and required evidence to the freepost address provided on the application form.
Updates to this page
Published 1 December 2020Last updated 6 June 2021 + show all updates
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Updated 'Information you need to provide' and 'Extend your S2 Healthcare Visitor visa' sections.
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Added a link to the UK Visas and Immigration contact centre.
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First published.