Are you considering coming to the UK for medical treatment or perhaps contemplating organ donation? Securing a relevant UK visa requires navigating the labyrinth of complex immigration rules, which may seem like a difficult undertaking. This blog shall serve as a guide to steer you through the visa process.
Step 1: Assess Your Eligibility
Before diving into the visa application process, make sure that you meet the Standard Visitor eligibility criteria. Whether you are seeking private medical treatment or NHS care under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement, or preparing for organ donation, understanding your eligibility is key.
Step 2: Gather Required Documents
Prepare essential documents verifying your medical condition, treatment arrangements, financial capability and departure intentions. A letter from your healthcare provider detailing your condition and treatment plan is necessary.
Step 3: Visa Application
Individuals seeking private medical treatment in the UK can apply for a Standard Visitor visa. If you are planning to come to the UK for up to 6 months, you must pay a fee of £115, and if you require more time, you will need to pay £200 to stay for up to 11 months. Along with your application, you have to submit all the necessary documentation, including evidence of your need for treatment, financial capacity and intention to depart post-treatment. If you have a family member who is a British citizen, a Person of Northern Ireland, a citizen of an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you may be eligible to obtain a family permit to travel to the UK. Alternatively, if you are a national of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates, you may be eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), which costs only £10 per applicant.
Step 4: Border Procedures
Upon arrival, present your identity documents and adhere to border control guidelines. British citizens, EU nationals and those from select countries benefit from streamlined procedures.
Step 5: Extending Your Stay
Should your treatment exceed 6 months, securing a Standard Visitor visa extension is necessary. Each extension costs £1,000.
By familiarising yourself with the visa requirements and following these steps, you can navigate this process with more ease, focusing solely on your health and well-being.
How Gherson can assist
Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
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