Douglas Olsen
The National Health Service (NHS) is the UK's state healthcare system, providing a wide range of services, including appointments with a doctor, hospital treatment, and dental care. International students in the UK are eligible for NHS treatment and are encouraged to register with a local General Practitioner (GP) to access all NHS services during their time in the UK. To use the NHS, international students must pay an immigration health surcharge (IHS) of £470 per year of their intended stay as part of their student visa application. Once the surcharge is paid, international students can access NHS services free of charge, except for certain procedures such as eye tests, dental treatment, and prescriptions, which may require additional payment.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Full-time international students studying in the UK for more than six months |
| Registration | Register with a GP as soon as possible after arrival; ask to be added to the NHS patient list |
| Costs | Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £470 per year of intended stay; £235 for visa durations of six months or less |
| Services | Access to the full range of NHS services like UK residents, including GP appointments, hospital treatment, dental care, mental health services, sexual health services, etc. |
| Payments | Some services require additional payments, including prescriptions, dental care, and optical treatments |
| Insurance | Private medical insurance is not required, but advisable for unforeseen circumstances |
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What You'll Learn
International students' eligibility for NHS treatment
International students in the UK are eligible for NHS treatment, but they must meet certain requirements. Firstly, international students must be full-time students studying in the UK for a period of six months or longer to be eligible for NHS services. Those studying for less than six months are not eligible and will need to pay for any NHS treatment they receive, except in a medical emergency.
Secondly, international students must pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their student visa application. The IHS costs £470 per year of intended stay in the UK. If the visa duration includes a part of a year that is six months or less, a reduced fee of £235 is charged for that portion. This fee cannot be avoided, even with private medical insurance. Paying the IHS allows international students to access NHS services for free, just like UK residents.
Once the student visa has been accepted and the IHS paid, international students can register with a General Practitioner (GP) at a local surgery or health centre. Some universities have their own health centres where students can register. After registering with a GP, students receive an NHS number, which proves their eligibility for NHS services. Students can then access a wide range of NHS services, including A&E, hospital treatment, GP services, sexual health services, mental health services, and more. However, it is important to note that certain services, such as eye care, dental treatment, and prescriptions, are not covered by the IHS and incur additional charges.
While international students can access NHS treatment, it is recommended that they also take out private health insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances. They should also bring any prescription papers and doctor's reports regarding pre-existing health conditions, translated into English, when coming to the UK.
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Registering with a GP
The NHS is the UK's state healthcare system, providing a wide range of services, including appointments with a doctor, hospital treatment, and dental care. All international students are eligible for NHS treatment in the UK. Students from overseas are encouraged to register with a GP to access all NHS services during their stay in the UK.
To use the NHS as an international student, you must pay an immigration health surcharge (IHS) of £470 per year of your intended stay. If your visa duration is six months or less, you will be required to pay £235 for that portion of your stay. This cost must be paid as part of your student visa application and cannot be avoided. Once you have paid this surcharge, you can access the full range of NHS services like UK residents. However, you will still need to pay for medicines prescribed by a doctor if you are studying in England.
You should register with a GP as soon as possible after arriving in the UK. Your university will be able to provide details of how to register with a GP at a local surgery or health centre. Some universities have their own health centres, and you may be able to register with them. The health centre attached to your university is likely to be the most convenient option, and the doctors there will be experienced in the health needs of students. Many university health centres also have good links with specialists, such as psychiatrists, sports physicians, psychotherapists, counsellors, and physiotherapists.
Your NHS number is given to you once you register with a GP and is used to prove that you are eligible for NHS services in the UK. It is important to note that your NHS number is different from your National Insurance number, which is used for administration around national insurance fees, benefits, employment, and taxes.
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NHS costs for international students
International students in the UK are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application. The IHS covers healthcare costs during their time studying in the UK, granting access to hospital treatment from the NHS. The cost of the IHS depends on the length of the visa and ranges from £388 for additional periods of less than 6 months to £776 for each year of student immigration permission granted. Students should note that the IHS must be paid even if they have private medical insurance.
The IHS is integrated within the online student visa application form, and students will be directed to the IHS payment website during the application process. It is important to ensure that the correct course length details are included in the form to avoid overpayment or underpayment of the IHS fee. In the case of overpayment, a refund will be automatically processed within 6 weeks. Underpayment will result in an email with a link to make a top-up payment for the remaining balance.
Some EU and Swiss students may be eligible for an IHS reimbursement or refund, particularly if they have an EHIC card issued by an EU country or Switzerland. However, working in the UK may invalidate the EHIC card, potentially leaving students without adequate health cover. Students who receive a reimbursement may consider purchasing additional insurance to cover any healthcare requirements not covered by their EHIC.
It is worth noting that visa holders who do not pay the IHS will be charged for any NHS treatment they receive at a rate of 150% of the cost of treatment. Therefore, it is essential for international students to factor the IHS cost into their visa application process and ensure they have adequate health coverage during their studies in the UK.
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NHS services accessible to international students
International students in the UK are eligible for NHS treatment and services. To access these services, international students must register with a local General Practitioner (GP) and obtain an NHS number. This NHS number is used to prove eligibility for NHS services.
To register with a GP, international students can ask their university for details on how to register with a local surgery or health centre. Some universities have their own health centres, where doctors may be experienced in the health needs of students. After registering, students can make appointments with their GP surgery or health centre, which are usually available during the day and early evening.
International students on a course longer than six months are required to pay an immigration health surcharge (IHS) of £470 per year of their intended stay in the UK. This surcharge is paid as part of the student visa application process and cannot be avoided, even if private medical insurance is obtained. Once the surcharge is paid, international students can access NHS services free of charge, like UK residents. However, certain services, such as eye care, dental treatment, and prescriptions, may incur additional costs.
International students can also access emergency treatment, family planning and sexual health services, mental health services, and more. In the case of an emergency, students can call 999, and for non-emergencies, they can call 111, which provides access to interpreters.
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NHS treatment for pre-existing health conditions
International students in the UK are eligible for NHS treatment, including for pre-existing health conditions. However, it is recommended that students take out additional health insurance to cover potential costs that may not be covered by the NHS, such as dental and optical treatment, and to ensure quicker access to treatment.
If you are an international student with a Tier 4 visa, you will have paid an immigration health surcharge of £300 per year (or £150 for a visa shorter than six months) as part of your visa application. This allows you to access NHS care at no additional cost, except for certain exclusions, such as dental and optical treatment, and some discretionary treatments. You will still need to pay for any prescribed medication, and it is recommended that students obtain medical insurance to cover potential private dental treatment costs.
To access NHS services, international students must register with a General Practitioner (GP) at a local doctor's surgery or medical centre. It is advisable to do this as soon as you arrive in the UK, and you will need to provide a letter from your university confirming your enrolment, your passport, and any other relevant immigration or visa documents. If you have a pre-existing health condition, it is especially important to register with a GP so that you can create a medical treatment plan for the duration of your studies. It is also helpful for the healthcare system to have a record of any pre-existing conditions. When registering with a GP, you will be asked to fill out an application form with information about your health, and you may be asked to provide proof of ID.
If you are an EU citizen, you should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your resident country before travelling to the UK. This card enables you to qualify for free NHS care for pre-existing medical conditions for up to six months. Citizens of Norway can use their Norwegian passport to access medically necessary healthcare for free for up to six months.
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Frequently asked questions
International students are required to pay an immigration health surcharge (IHS) of £470 per year of their intended stay in the UK. If your visa duration is six months or less, you will be required to pay £235 for that portion of your stay. This cost must be paid as part of your student visa application. Once you have paid this, you are eligible to use NHS services for free. However, you will still need to pay for medicines prescribed by a doctor if you are studying in England.
International students should register with a GP as soon as possible after arriving in the UK. Your university will be able to provide details of how to register with a GP at a local surgery or health centre. Once you have registered with a local GP, you will be given an NHS number, which proves your eligibility for NHS services.
The NHS provides a wide range of services, including appointments with a doctor, hospital treatment, mental health services, dental care, sexual health services, and more.
