Coming to the UK for private medical treatment? The Standard Visitor route has a longer 11-month medical option, plus unlimited 6-month extensions while your treatment continues. This 2026 guide covers eligibility, the consultant letter, cost and how extensions work.
What is the medical visitor visa?
It’s a version of the Standard Visitor visa for private medical treatment. Instead of the usual 6 months, you can be granted up to 11 months if your treatment needs longer.
What you need
- a letter from a UK-registered doctor or consultant setting out your condition, the treatment and how long it will take;
- evidence you can pay for the treatment and support yourself;
- the usual genuine-visitor intention to leave at the end of treatment.
Treatment is private (or NHS treatment you pay for), and you can’t be a risk to public health.
Cost
The 11-month medical visitor visa costs £234. Each later extension (a further 6 months) costs around £1,000–£1,170 — confirm the current fee on GOV.UK.
Extensions
You can extend by 6 months at a time with no limit, as long as you’ve paid for treatment so far, can pay for what’s to come, and provide an up-to-date consultant letter confirming the need to continue. This makes it the most flexible visitor route for ongoing care.
Frequently asked questions
What is the medical visitor visa?
A Standard Visitor visa for private medical treatment, allowing stays of up to 11 months.
How much does it cost?
£234 for up to 11 months; later extensions cost around £1,000–£1,170 each.
What documents do I need?
A letter from a UK-registered doctor or consultant detailing your condition and treatment, plus proof you can pay for it.
Can I extend it?
Yes — by a further 6 months each time, with no limit, if you’ve paid for treatment so far and can pay for more.
Can I use the NHS?
It’s for private treatment (or NHS treatment you pay for); you must be able to fund your care.
How long can I stay in total?
Up to 11 months initially, then repeated 6-month extensions for as long as treatment genuinely continues.
