Private treatment
The applicant must show the condition, treatment arrangements, estimated cost and likely duration.
Overview
What is a UK Medical Treatment Visit Visa?
This visitor route is for people who need to come to the UK temporarily for medical reasons. It can cover private medical treatment, treatment at an NHS hospital paid for under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement, or organ donation to a family member or close personal contact.
Most medical visitors can come for up to 6 months. Where private medical treatment is expected to last longer, an applicant may be able to request an 11-month visitor visa in advance, or apply for further permission from inside the UK if they continue to meet the medical visitor requirements.
Medical visit applications are evidence-heavy. The medical need, treatment provider, estimated cost, treatment duration, source of funds, public health position and intention to leave the UK should be explained clearly.
Latest position
What are the current visitor visa rules and fees?
11-month medical visit option
Where treatment will last longer than 6 months, a Standard Visitor visa for up to 11 months may be available and currently costs £234.
Medical extension fee
A medical visitor in the UK may apply for further 6-month extensions where the requirements are met. The current extension fee is £1,172 each time.
Organ donor evidence
Organ donors need strong transplant-team evidence confirming donor match or assessment, relationship to the recipient and timing/location of tests or transplant.
TB testing may apply
A tuberculosis certificate may be needed for some applicants applying for an 11-month medical visit visa.
Key facts
UK Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa: key points before you apply
NHS reciprocal treatment
Treatment must be paid for by the applicant’s own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement.
Organ donation
Donation can be to a genetically related family member or a person with a close personal relationship.
Usual stay
Up to 6 months, with specific longer medical options where requirements are met.
Longer medical visa
Up to 11 months may be requested for longer private medical treatment.
Settlement
Medical visitors do not qualify for ILR through this route.
Eligibility
Who can qualify for a medical treatment or organ donation visit?
A private medical visitor must show that they have a medical condition requiring consultation or treatment in the UK, that arrangements have been made, that they can pay for the treatment, and that they will leave the UK once treatment is complete or when permission expires.
A person coming for NHS hospital treatment must show that the treatment is funded by their own government under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement. The authorisation evidence must be clear and current.
An organ donor must show that the recipient is a genetically related family member or someone with whom the donor has a close personal relationship. The recipient's lawful UK position and the medical team's confirmation are important.
Permitted activities
What medical visit situations can be covered?
Private medical treatment
Consultation, investigation, surgery or other treatment with a private hospital, clinic, doctor or consultant where arrangements and costs are evidenced.
Reciprocal healthcare treatment
Hospital treatment where the applicant’s government has authorised payment under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement.
Organ donation
Assessment as a potential donor or confirmed organ donation to a qualifying family member or close personal contact.
Documents
What documents are usually important for Medical Visit Visa?
The evidence should be tailored to the applicant’s purpose of visit, funds, sponsor support, travel history and reasons to return home. A strong application explains the visit clearly rather than relying on a long but unfocused document bundle.
Medical letter
A doctor or consultant letter should confirm the condition, estimated cost, likely treatment duration and treatment location.
Funding evidence
Evidence should show how treatment, living costs and travel will be paid for, including sponsor support where relevant.
Organ donor evidence
A transplant team, specialist or consultant letter should confirm donor match or testing, relationship and dates/location of transplant or assessment.
Request a visitor visa document review
We can review your visitor evidence before the application is prepared and help identify gaps, contradictions and refusal risks.
Request Document ReviewFees
How much does Medical Visit Visa cost?
6-month medical visit visa
£135
For most medical visits lasting up to 6 months.
11-month medical visit visa
£234
For private medical treatment expected to last more than 6 months.
Medical visitor extension
£1,172
For eligible medical visitors applying from inside the UK for further permission.
Super priority service
£1,000
May be available as an optional faster service in some circumstances.
ETA where applicable
£20
For certain short medical visits by non-visa nationals where an ETA applies.
Extension
Can this visitor visa be extended?
A medical visitor may be able to apply from inside the UK for a further 6 months if they have paid for treatment already received, can pay the further costs, and continue to meet the medical visitor requirements. The current fee is £1,172 each time.
Unlike ordinary tourism visits, there is no fixed limit on how many times an eligible medical visitor can apply for further permission, but each application must be fully evidenced and justified.
Settlement
Does this visitor route lead to ILR or settlement?
A medical treatment or organ donation visit does not lead to ILR or settlement. It is a temporary route for medical purposes.
Long medical stays and repeat extensions should be managed carefully so the evidence continues to show a genuine temporary medical purpose and a plan to leave when treatment is complete.
How we help
How Access Global supports Medical Visit Visa applicants
Prepare a medical visitor case around treatment, funding and return intention
We help patients, donors, relatives and sponsors structure medical visitor applications around the medical evidence, costs, funding, accommodation, lawful recipient position and extension planning.
Process
Medical Visit Visa support pathway
1
Initial consultation
We review the treatment purpose, timing, medical evidence, funding and immigration history.
2
Eligibility strategy
We assess whether a 6-month, 11-month or extension strategy is appropriate.
3
Evidence review
We check medical letters, treatment cost evidence, funding documents and sponsor support.
4
Application support
We help structure a clear application explaining medical purpose and temporary stay.
5
Outcome planning
We advise on extensions, further treatment evidence, donor-related issues and future visitor risks.
Ask Access Global Immigration Visa Experts to review your visitor visa case
We can assess purpose of visit, permitted activities, financial evidence, sponsor support, home ties, travel history and refusal risks before the application is submitted.
FAQs
Medical Visit Visa FAQs
Can I visit the UK for private medical treatment?
Yes, if you can show the medical condition, treatment arrangements, estimated cost and likely duration, and that you can pay for the treatment and leave the UK when required.
Can I get an 11-month visa for medical treatment?
Yes, where treatment is expected to last longer than 6 months, an 11-month Standard Visitor visa may be available. The current fee is £234.
Can I extend my medical visitor visa in the UK?
A medical visitor may be able to extend for a further 6 months if they meet the requirements and provide updated medical and payment evidence. The current extension fee is £1,172.
Is there a limit on medical visitor extensions?
There is no fixed limit on the number of medical extensions, but each extension must be justified with proper medical and financial evidence.
What evidence is needed for private medical treatment?
A doctor or consultant letter should confirm the condition, treatment location, estimated cost and likely duration, supported by evidence of funds and return intention.
Can I come to the UK as an organ donor?
Yes, if you are donating to a genetically related family member or someone with a close personal relationship, and medical evidence confirms the donor match or assessment.
Does the organ donor letter need to be recent?
The transplant evidence should be dated no more than 3 months before the intended arrival in the UK.
Do I need a TB test for medical treatment?
Some applicants may need a TB certificate when applying for an 11-month medical visitor visa, depending on the country of residence and rules in force.
Can I use NHS treatment as a visitor?
Only limited situations apply, such as reciprocal healthcare arrangements where the applicant’s government authorises payment.
Does a medical visit visa lead to ILR?
No. It is a temporary visitor route and does not lead to settlement.