UK Visitor Visa
If you need help getting a visa to visit the UK, our immigration lawyers can guide you through the process and provide legal guidance in complex cases, particularly where you have faced past refusals.
Visitors to the UK are generally prohibited from using NHS services or accessing medical treatment in the UK. However, an exception is available for people to specifically apply for a visa to access private medical care. This Medical Visit visa can be granted for a period of six months but, in some circumstances, as long as 11 months. It is also possible to extend the visa to stay in the UK for a further six months if ongoing treatment is required.
If you wish to receive private medical treatment in the UK, it is important to get the application process right, as there is more than just your immigration status at stake - your health might also be on the line. At Latitude Law, our expert immigration solicitors can help you to find the right UK medical visa to visit the country and undergo the medical treatment you need. We can also help you to extend your stay in the UK for further treatment if you need to, and will work to make the process as stress-free as possible so you can focus on your health.
To be eligible under the Medical Visit visa, a person must be a genuine visitor to the UK, meaning that they can demonstrate that they plan to leave the UK at the end of their visit.
In addition, the visa is only applicable to people who have a medical condition, and who have arranged private medical treatment or consultation for that condition in the UK. They must have a doctor/consultant in the UK, who can confirm that the visit is specifically for that purpose and for a specified period of time. A person must also be able to meet the costs of their medical care, and the general costs of their stay in the UK.
If you intend to access NHS services during your visit, you will not meet the eligibility requirements for this visa, unless you are from a country where this is permitted. Our experienced immigration solicitors can help you to understand your eligibility and find the best visa route to secure your treatment.
An application must be supported by a letter from a UK-registered medical practitioner, such as athe doctor/ or consultant in the UK, which confirms:
If applying for a visa for up to 11 months, evidence must be provided by the doctor/consultant that that treatment will exceed six months, but no more than 11 months.
It is possible for some people to access the UK National Health Service, provided that they are from a country that has a reciprocal healthcare arrangement with the UK. To apply on this basis, the government of that country must provide authorisation for them to do so.
All applications will need to be accompanied by a person’s passport, and evidence that they can finance their stay and treatment in the UK.
It is also available for people to apply to visit the UK for the purpose of donating an organ, or for being assessed for potential organ donation. Similarly to the Medical Visit visa, there are additional requirements to the Standard Visitorgeneral visit visa criteria. An applicant must provide the following:
In these cases, the procedure does not have to be private - you can get a medical treatment visa for an NHS procedure if you are an organ donor.
Applications for Medical Visit visas can be complex, and can often lead to refusals where not appropriately evidenced. If you are denied a private medical treatment visa, this can prevent you from receiving the care you need, and interrupt procedures or medical treatment you have already arranged. As such, it is vital to work with and expert solicitor to make your medical visa application easier and more likely to be approved.
Latitude Law's solicitors are experts in assisting with applications to visit the UK. We can provide detailed guidance about the requirements for Medical Visit visa applications, and can assist with the preparation of the applications to optimise your chances of success. We can advise you on multiple UK visa routes to help you find the right option for you, and ensure you meet all of the necessary requirements.
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Latitude Law has significant experience in preparing successful Medical Visit visa applications.
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As the requirements for a Medical Visit visa are complex, to ensure success, you should seek specialist advice from an immigration solicitor before you proceed with an application. Latitude Law’s specialist lawyers can advise you about your individual requirements and ensure that the conditions of your employment are compliant with the very latest immigration rules.
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The standard visit visa is granted for a period of no more than 6 months, and this includes where a person is coming to the UK for private medical care. However, if treatment is expected to be longer than 6 months, a person can receive a visa for up to 11 months. A doctor/consultant must provide proof that the required treatment will be longer than the 6 months.
In situations where a person may need to continue receiving treatment beyond the validity of their visa, they can apply to extend their visa for a further 6 months. A letter from a registered medical practitioner would need to be provided to confirm that ongoing treatment is required.
The options available in the event of refusal are limited. You can reapply with additional evidence, in response to the reasons for refusal, or consider judicial review. A pre-action letter can persuade the Home Office that they should reconsider your application.
We would encourage that you seek legal advice if you have received a refusal of a Medical Visit visa.
No. All visit visas are for a temporary period, and do not lead to settlement. They can only be extended in very specific circumstances, and only for a temporary period.
There is no option to bring family members on the basis of a Medical Visit visa. Any accompanying family members (or other escorting person) will need to make their own visit visa applications. Generally, family members cannot extend their visas in the UK, unless there are compelling, compassionate, or exceptional circumstances.
It is not possible to switch to another visa category when in the UK as a medical visitor.
The application process for a UK private medical treatment visa begins with determining your eligibility. This visa is for individuals who wish to travel to the UK for the purpose of receiving private medical treatment for a medical condition, and who meet the eligibility requirements listed above. These include having a medical condition that requires private medical treatment in the UK, and sufficient funds to pay for the medical treatment and associated living expenses without relying on public funds.
You will need a letter from a doctor or consultant that proves you have made arrangements to begin receiving medical treatment in the UK. You may also need to prove that you will leave the UK at the end of the visa period and do not plan to extend your stay unless additional treatment is necessary. Finally, applicants from certain countries may need to provide evidence they do not pose a public health risk, such as a valid tuberculosis test certificate. Another type of UK visitor visa might be a better route if you do not meet some of the above criteria.
You can begin the application up to three months before you travel, and it is important to manage these timings correctly. The visa application form can be accessed online, but it is advisable to gather your evidence and any documents you may need before starting the process. You will need:
If you want to come to the UK as an organ donor, the eligibility requirements and documentation you will need are different. Speak to an experienced solicitor for advice on applying for a Standard Visitor visa under these circumstances.
At this stage, you can fill in an online application form. You will also need to pay the application fee at this stage. If your application is rejected, you will need to reapply, which includes paying the fee again, so it is best to have a solicitor check over your application and documents before you submit them to give you the best chance of approval.
As part of the application process, applicants will need to book and attend an appointment at a visa application centre in their country of residence. At this appointment, you will present your documents for review and submit biometric data (including your fingerprints and a photograph) that can be used to identify you. There may also be the option to submit documents online, depending on which country you are applying from.
Once everything has been submitted, you must wait for a decision. Processing time for a UK visa can take up to three weeks. If your application is approved, you can make plans to travel to the UK for up to six months. You may also have the option to apply for a visa extension if you need to undergo further treatment. Consult a solicitor if you need advice on extending a medical treatment visa.
If you need help getting a visa to visit the UK, our immigration lawyers can guide you through the process and provide legal guidance in complex cases, particularly where you have faced past refusals.
Whether you’re looking to apply for the first time or aiming to renew your partner visa, Latitude Law is well placed to help you secure the right to live with your family member in the UK.
Anyone can apply to visit the UK to see their family and carry out other permitted activities, but some nationalities require prior entry clearance (a Visit visa) before travelling even for a short period.
