Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor

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Visit for medical reasons

You can visit the UK for up to 6 months to:

• have private medical treatment at a hospital or other medical facility
• have treatment at an NHS hospital, as long as the care is paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement
• donate an organ to a family member or close friend - this includes being assessed for suitability as a donor match

You should:

• check you meet the basic eligibility requirements for a Standard Visitor and any relevant extra eligibility requirements listed below
• prepare any required documents that prove your eligibility
• check if you need a visa to visit the UK
• apply for a Standard Visitor visa online - if you need one

If you’re visiting for private medical treatment

You must prove that you:

• have a medical condition that needs private consultation or treatment in the UK
• have made arrangements for consultations or treatment
• have enough money or funding to pay for your treatment
• will leave the UK once your treatment is completed, or when your visa expires
• are not a danger to public health if you have an infectious disease, such as leprosy

Documents you must provide

You’ll need a letter written by a doctor or consultant, that confirms:

• the condition you have that needs consultation or treatment
• the estimated cost and likely duration of any treatment
• where the consultation and treatment will take place

If you’re visiting for treatment at an NHS hospital

You can visit the UK for treatment at an NHS hospital. Your treatment must be paid for by your own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement.

Documents you must provide

You must provide an authorisation form, issued by the government of your country, saying they will pay for your treatment.

If you’re visiting as an organ donor

You can only visit the UK to donate organs to:

• a family member who you’re genetically related to (for example your sibling or parent)
• someone you have a close personal relationship with (for example your partner or friend)

You must prove that the person you’re donating an organ to is legally allowed to be in the UK.

Documents you must provide

You’ll need a letter from the lead nurse of the transplant team, a General Medical Council registered specialist or a registered NHS consultant that confirms:

• you’re a donor match to the recipient, or you’re being tested to see if you’re a potential donor
• the recipient is genetically related to you, or in a close personal relationship with you
• when and where the transplant or tests will take place

The letter should be dated no more than 3 months before you intend to arrive in the UK.

If the recipient is not legally resident in the UK, you must provide their name, nationality and date of birth in your application.

The recipient should check if they need to apply for a Standard Visitor visa and that they meet the eligibility requirements for medical treatment.

If your treatment will last longer than 6 months

All visits for medical treatment lasting longer than 6 months require a Standard Visitor visa regardless of your nationality.

You can:

• apply for a Standard Visitor visa before you come to the UK - this lasts for up to 11 months and costs £200
• visit for up to 6 months and apply to stay for a further 6 months when you’re in the UK for a fee of £1,000

There is no limit on how many times you can extend your stay. It costs £1,000 each time you do.

Depending on where you come from, you may also need a certificate that proves you do not have tuberculosis (TB). Check if you’ll need to take a TB test.

View a printable version of the whole guide