Standard Visitor — MedicalVerified 2026-04-19UK Medical Treatment Visa (Standard Visitor — Medical up to 11 months)
The UK Standard Visitor (Medical) visa allows Indian patients to visit the UK for up to 11 months for private medical treatment, NHS treatment under reciprocal healthcare agreements, or to donate an organ to a family member/close friend. Requires a UK GMC-registered doctor/consultant's letter. £234. Can be extended in-country at £1,172 per 6 months.
Processing
Decision usually within 3 weeks of providing your documents and biometrics
Stay Duration
Up to 11 months (offshore grant); extendable 6 months at a time in-country
Starting Fee
£135
Apply At
12 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL United Kingdom visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Apply online at GOV.UK — the earliest you can apply is 3 months before travel.
- 2Passport must be valid for the whole of your stay. Renew if expiring soon.
- 3UK now issues digital eVisas — no sticker in your passport. Create a UKVI account after approval to access your eVisa.
- 4TB test is MANDATORY for Indian applicants visiting for more than 6 months — use an IOM-approved clinic in India. Certificate valid 6 months.
- 5You must prove you will LEAVE the UK at the end of your visit — strong ties to India (employment, family, property) are critical.
- 6You must support yourself and dependants during the trip (or have a sponsor funding you).
- 7Living in the UK for extended periods through frequent/successive visits is NOT allowed on Standard Visitor visa — UKVI may refuse or cancel for pattern abuse.
- 8You cannot work for a UK company, claim benefits, marry, or give notice of marriage on a Standard Visitor visa. Different visa categories exist for these purposes.
- 9At your VFS appointment: fingerprints + facial photo are taken. Passport is returned same day; other documents may be retained during processing.
- 10Medical Standard Visitor CAN be extended in-country unlike most other short-stay categories. £1,172 per 6-month extension, unlimited renewals as long as treatment continues.
Who Can Apply
- Indian patients needing private medical treatment/consultation in the UK
- Patients receiving NHS treatment paid by their own government under reciprocal agreement
- Organ donors travelling to donate to a family member or close friend in the UK
- Support persons accompanying the patient (apply separately as Standard Visitors)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Anyone with an infectious disease (e.g., leprosy) that is a public health danger
- Anyone without demonstrated funds for the treatment + stay
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard Visitor visa — up to 6 months | £135 |
| Standard Visitor visa — Medical reasons (up to 11 months) | £234 |
| Standard Visitor visa — Academic (up to 12 months) | £234 |
| 2-year long-term Standard Visitor visa | £506 |
| 5-year long-term Standard Visitor visa | £903 |
| 10-year long-term Standard Visitor visa | £1,128 |
| Biometrics / VFS service fee | ₹1,500–2,500 |
All UK visa fees are set in GBP by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and paid online during the GOV.UK application. The INR amount depends on the GBP/INR exchange rate on payment day. Additional costs: biometrics and VFS service charges at the Visa Application Centre, optional priority/super-priority services, TB test (if required), and document translation fees. Non-refundable regardless of outcome. Offshore grant lasts up to 11 months. In-country extensions £1,172 per 6 months — no limit on extensions.
Documents Required
Core Documents
- !Valid passport
- !Passport-style photograph
- !Cover letter
Purpose, condition, UK hospital, duration of treatment, funding.
- ○TB test certificate
MANDATORY for 6+ month stays.
Medical Documents (most critical)
- !Letter from UK GMC-registered doctor/consultant
Confirms: condition, estimated cost, likely duration, where treatment takes place.
- ○Government authorisation form (if NHS reciprocal)
Your home government confirming they will pay.
- ○For organ donation: letter from UK transplant lead / GMC specialist / NHS consultant
Confirms donor match, relationship, transplant date/location. Dated within 3 months of application.
Proof of Funds / Treatment Costs
- !Evidence you can pay the treatment costs
Bank statements, sponsor letter, insurance, or official government funding form.
- !ITRs (last 3 years)
Accommodation
- !UK accommodation — hotel near hospital, serviced apartment, or host address
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Arrange UK treatment + get doctor's letter
Identify UK hospital/consultant, receive treatment plan + cost letter.
Complete GOV.UK Standard Visitor application
Select Medical purpose. Upload doctor's letter and funds evidence.
Pay £234 online
Medical-tier Standard Visitor fee.
TB test (if 6+ months stay)
IOM-approved clinic in India. Certificate valid 6 months.
Biometrics at VFS Global India
Book nearest centre.
Decision + digital eVisa
~3 weeks. Urgent cases can be expedited — contact VFS.
Extend in-country if treatment continues
£1,172 per 6-month extension. Need new doctor's letter for each extension.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
GOV.UK — Standard Visitor Visa Application
Primary online application portal for UK visit visas. Complete the online form, pay, book biometrics at VFS.
UKVI — Check if you need a UK visa
Interactive tool — tells you which UK visa category fits your purpose and nationality.
VFS Global UK India
Where Indian applicants book biometrics appointments, pay VFS service fee, and receive their decision.
UK TB Test Clinics (IOM-approved)
If visiting for 6+ months, TB test at an IOM-approved clinic is mandatory before applying.
VFS Application Centres
Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 questions to see your likelihood of approval. Embassies look for the same core factors across visa types — financial strength, clear purpose, genuine intent to return.
How clear is your purpose of visit?
How long is your planned stay?
Travel history to developed countries?
Any previous visa refusals?
Employment / income source?
3-month average bank balance?
Income Tax Returns history?
Travel bookings status?
Ties to India (reasons you'll return)?
Travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 Pro Tips
- Complete the GOV.UK online application — do not go to VFS first. Pay the visa fee online, then book your VFS biometrics appointment.
- Documents to upload/carry: passport bio page, photograph (45×35mm, white background), cover letter, travel itinerary, hotel bookings, bank statements (6 months), ITRs (3 years), employment letter with leave approval, proof of ties to India.
- Long-term Standard Visitor (2/5/10 year) is excellent value for frequent UK travellers — business visits, conferences, family visits. Request with justification.
- The UK doesn't require an invitation letter from a UK host, but if visiting friends/family, a simple letter from them (with passport copy + UK address proof) strengthens the case.
- Common refusal reasons: weak funds, pattern of long UK stays, thin travel history, unclear purpose. Address these upfront in the cover letter.
- Use Super Priority service (£1,000+ extra) for urgent applications — next-working-day decision after biometrics.
- Once in the UK: carry your decision letter/eVisa screenshot. UK Border Force may ask questions on arrival about purpose and duration.
- For urgent / terminal cases, UKVI can expedite processing — highlight urgency in the cover letter and doctor's letter.
- A companion/attendant applies as a separate Standard Visitor (their cover letter should state they are accompanying the patient).
- NHS charges for non-residents are HIGH — private treatment costs £5,000 – £100,000+ depending on condition. Show robust funding.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Doctor's letter vague on condition, cost, or duration
- 2.Funds insufficient for declared treatment cost
- 3.Infectious disease risk not addressed
- 4.For organ donation: relationship not clearly documented
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I stay for medical treatment?+
Can I get NHS treatment free?+
Can a family member come with me?+
What about organ donation?+
Let us prepare your UK Medical Treatment Visa — (Standard Visitor — Medical up to 11 months) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other United Kingdom Visa Types
UK Tourist Visa (Standard Visitor — Tourism)
Short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting the UK for tourism, holidays, or to see family and friends. Usually up to 6 months. £135.
UK Business Visa (Standard Visitor — Business)
Short-stay visa for Indian professionals visiting the UK for meetings, conferences, negotiations, trade fairs, or site visits. £135 for up to 6 months.
UK Short-Term Study Visa (Visit to Study up to 6 months)
For Indian students taking a course up to 6 months at an accredited UK institution. Includes English language courses, short research, and PLAB/OSCE test visits. £135 Standard Visitor OR £200 Short-term English 6–11 months.
UK Academic Visa (Standard Visitor — Academic up to 12 months)
For Indian scientists, researchers, senior doctors/dentists, and academics visiting the UK for research, formal exchanges, or short teaching. Up to 12 months. £234.
UK Marriage Visitor Visa (Up to 6 months)
For Indian citizens visiting the UK to marry or register a civil partnership within 6 months. Does NOT allow staying in the UK after the ceremony — spouse visa is separate. £135.
UK Transit Visa (Visitor in Transit / Direct Airside Transit)
For Indian travellers passing through the UK to a third country. DATV (£35) for airside-only transit; Visitor in Transit (£74.50) if you need to leave the airport for up to 48 hours.
UK Student Visa (Long-term — Licensed Sponsors) — Informational
For full-time study on courses longer than 6 months at UK licensed sponsors (universities, recognised colleges). £524 offshore + IHS (£776/year) + living costs evidence. Complex — requires specialist guidance.
UK Work Visa (Skilled Worker / Health & Care Worker / Global Talent) — Informational
Informational overview of UK work visa routes. Requires UK employer sponsorship + Certificate of Sponsorship. SureshotVisa does not process work visas — refer to OISC consultants.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global United Kingdom website and Embassy of United Kingdom. Last verified 2026-04-19. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.