Applicants can apply for a visa under the Private Medical Visitor Visa UK category if they intend to travel to the UK to receive private medical treatment. It is a special type of visa for the United Kingdom. However, applicants will not be allowed to use the National Health Service, or National Health Service, which is available exclusively to UK citizens.
Medical testing, or British tuberculosis (TB) testing, has a vital role to play in the UK, as it serves to assess people’s health, well-being, and suitability to travel. Before applying for a UK visa, travelers from some specific countries who wish to spend 6 months or more in the UK must first undergo a medical examination to obtain a UK visa.
Medical Visitor Visa Application from Pakistan
If applicants wish to travel to the UK for private medical treatment, they can apply for a visa under the UK Private Medical Visitor Visa category. It is one of the types of UK visas. However, applicants will not be able to receive private treatment from the NHS, which is only available to UK residents.
UK Private Medical Visa Requirements
Applicants for the UK Private Medical Visa must demonstrate to the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) that;
They are trying to access private medical care that they need treatment for
They will leave the UK at the end of the likely duration of treatment
They can support themselves, adapt, and meet the costs of treatment without resorting to public funds.
In addition to some other UK private medical visit visa requirements, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they do not intend to take up paid or unpaid work, provide services directly to members of the public, undertake courses of study or carry out any of the activity of a business, sporting or entertainment visitor.
In certain circumstances, applicants may be able to extend their stay as a private medical visitor or move to another category, subject to UK immigration rules.
Our UK immigration lawyers are experienced in assisting with private medical visitor visa applications in the UK and can guide you through complex Home Office policies. Participants or the patient’s companion could also apply by providing supporting documents for the visa application. UK medical visitor visa requirements are subject to changes in UK immigration rules.
UK Medical Visit Visa Requirements
As a holder of a standard tourist visa, you can come to the UK to:
receive private medical care at a hospital or other medical facility.
receive treatment at a National Health Service (NHS) hospital, but only if the treatment will be funded by your government as part of a reciprocal healthcare agreement.
donate one of your organs to a family member or close friend. Your stay may also include an assessment of whether you are an eligible donor.
You will be eligible for a UK visa for medical treatment if:
you sincerely intend to leave the UK at the end of your stay
have sufficient funds to support yourself whilst in the UK
have the necessary proof or funds for onward travel e
do not live in the UK by making return visits using a tourist visa.
Furthermore, if you are coming to the UK to receive private medical treatment, you will need to demonstrate to the Home Office that:
you have a medical condition that requires private medical advice in the UK
you have made all necessary arrangements for the private counseling or treatment you need
you can pay for your private treatment
you do not have an infectious disease that poses a risk to public health in the UK
How to apply for a UK medical visa
To apply for a UK medical visa (i.e. a standard tourist visa), you will need to complete the following steps:
Check if you need a standard tourist visa1 (nationals of some countries can come to the UK for up to 6 months without a tourist visa). It’s important to note that even if you don’t need a visa, you will still need to meet the requirements of a standard tourist visa to come here.
Before traveling to the UK, complete and submit the Standard Tourist Visa Application Form online. You can apply for a visa at the earliest 3 months before traveling to the UK. If you are coming to the UK with family members, each person will need to complete their application and pay the application fee.
Pay the membership fee (for up to 6 months, the fee is £115 or £200 for up to 11 months).
Book and make an appointment at a visa application center in the country where you live (to have your photo taken, fingerprints scanned, and any documents required by the Ministry of the Interior).
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a letter from your doctor explaining:
your medical condition
the estimated cost and duration of treatment
where in the UK the consultation or treatment will take place
In most cases, you can expect to receive a tourist visa decision within 3 weeks.
UK visa extension for medical purposes
If you believe there is a risk that your treatment may last longer than 6 months, we recommend that you apply for a tourist visa for up to 11 months. This will then protect your immigration status if you need to stay longer.
The good news is that if your medical treatment takes longer than expected, you can extend your tourist visa for 6 months at a cost of £1,000. There is no limit to the number of times you can request a tourist visa extension.
How can I get a UK medical visa?
You must demonstrate that:
• have a medical condition that requires private advice or treatment in the UK.
• have made arrangements for consultations or treatments.
• you have enough money or financing to pay for your treatment.
• you will leave the UK once you have completed your treatment or your visa has expired.
What is the medical test for British Visa in Pakistan?
tuberculosis (TB) testing.
Details. You will need a tuberculosis (TB) test if you have been coming to the UK for 6 months or more and both of the following apply: You have lived in Pakistan for 6 months or more. you have lived there (or another country listed) for the last 6 months.
FAQ
How much is the medical expense for a UK visa?
The entry fee and health surcharge often cost thousands of pounds. In addition to the main application fees, an immigration health surcharge of £624 per year is levied on visas and extensions. This amount is expected to increase to £1,035 per year in 2024
What medical tests are required for the UK visa?
You will have a chest x-ray to check for tuberculosis. If the x-ray result is unclear you may also be asked to provide a sample of sputum (phlegm coughed up from the lungs). If the test shows that you do not have tuberculosis, you will be issued a certificate that is valid for 6 months from the date of the x-ray.
What is required for a medical visa?
Standard visa medical screening involves screening for communicable diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, leprosy, syphilis and tuberculosis to safeguard the health of the community. It includes A physical assessment by a nurse or doctor, if necessary. Simple blood sampling procedure for a blood test according to the visa category.
How much does a UK visa from Pakistan cost?
The tourist visa price for London or England in Pakistan is ₨40,810 (i.e. 6 months UK visit visa fee). The fee requirements for UK Student and Spouse Visa from Pakistan in 2023 are ₨173,887 and ₨655,092 respectively. The cost of priority visa service (visit, student, work) in Pakistan is Rs177,435.
Do doctors need IELTS for a UK visa?
The UK will now accept Professional English Test (OET) scores which candidates will need to clear in order to register with the relevant health regulator.
Can we go to the UK without IELTS or OET?
Yes, in some cases you can go to the UK without taking the IELTS. Depending on the type of visa or specific university program, alternative language proficiency requirements or exemptions may apply. Please check with the institution or visa application guidelines for details.
Can I go to London without IELTS?
Yes, it is possible to study in the UK without IELTS if you apply to some universities that have alternative requirements such as proof of 60%+ English in classes XI and XII, a degree in English, or a pre-sessional language course available for international students.