It has been announced in the October 2020 Statement of Changes HC 813 that a new visa under the provisions for visitors has been created. The new S2 Healthcare Visitor visa is for EEA nationals who before the end of the Brexit transition period have secured permission from their member State to receive medical treatment in the UK provided by the National Health Service (NHS). Applications under the S2 Healthcare Visitor route will be available from 1 December 2020 at 9:00am. Our Immigration Solicitors in London are always well-informed of the constant changes in the UK’s immigration rules and are happy to advise on the requirements for this new visa route for EEA nationals under the UK’s new immigration system. Please contact our team to arrange a confidential consultation with our solicitors to assess your circumstances and prospects of success for the new S2 Healthcare Visitor visa.
What is the new S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa?
The most recent Statement of Changes introduces the new S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa route as the following:
This route relates to the UK’s exit from the European Union. It is for a person who, before the end of the transition period (11pm on 31 December 2020), had requested authorisation to receive a course of planned healthcare treatment under the S2 route, pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 883/2004.
In order to be eligible for the S2 Healthcare Visitor, one of the following must be applicable to the Applicant:
- Article 32(1)(b) of the withdrawal agreement; or
- Article 31(1)(b) of the EEA EFTA separation agreement; or
- Article 26a(1)(b) of the Swiss citizens’ rights agreement.
Applicants must obtain entry clearance under this route before arriving in the UK except if they are a non-visa national, in which case they can apply at the boarder.
Successful Applicants will be granted permission to enter or stay in the UK for up to 6 months in order to complete their medical treatment. Patients will be subject to the visa condition of no recourse to public funds, they will not be allowed to work or study in the UK and they may have to register with the police (where applicable). Unsuccessful Applicants can have the decision reviewed by way of Administrative Review.
What are the financial requirements for the new S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa?
S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient finds available to support themselves for the duration of their time in the UK without recourse to public funds. This must cover their accommodation in the UK and the cost of return travel back to their home country at the end of their visit period. As is the case for Standard Visitor Visa applications, there is no specific minimum income requirement. Third parties are allowed to provide the Applicant’s maintenance and accommodation if the correct documentary evidence proves they can be supported for the duration of their visa.
What are the Patient and Treatment requirements for the new S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa?
In order to satisfy the Patient requirement for the new S2 Healthcare Visitor visa, Applicants must provide a valid S2 Certificate of Entitlement to Scheduled Treatment. This document certifies that the Patient is entitled to planned medical treatment in the UK (also referred to as the Portable Document S2 under Regulation (EC) No 883/2004. It may also confirm one of the following:
- Demonstrates that the length of planned treatment extends beyond the entry clearance granted;
- A renewed or extended S2 Certificate of Entitlement to Scheduled Treatment which covers the period of the extension sought; or
- The valid S2 Certificate of Entitlement to Scheduled Treatment and a letter from the doctor or other health professional providing the treatment in the UK detailing the further treatment required.
If the Patient is a child and is not intending on travelling to the UK with a parent or guardian, then consent must be given from the parent or guardian confirming support for the application, the living and care arrangements put in place for the child whilst in the UK and travel arrangements to the UK if the application is for entry clearance.
To satisfy the Treatment requirement, the course of planned healthcare must be arranged prior to the Patient arriving in the UK.
What is the Accompanying Person requirement for the new S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa?
Patients may bring a person with them to the UK if that person is providing them with care and support during the course of their treatment. The Accompanying Person must meet one of the following requirements:
- The Accompanying Person is, or will be, accompanying the Patient to the UK at the time of their entry into the UK and the Patient is, or will be an S2 Healthcare Visitor on arrival in the UK; or
- The Patient is in the UK as an S2 Healthcare Visitor and Accompanying Person will be joining the Patient in the UK.
The Accompanying Person must also provide evidence of their relationship with the Patient, evidence or the Patient’s identity and evidence that they reside in and EEA country (or Switzerland).
Can the new S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa be cancelled?
Yes, the Home Office has the right to curtail an S2 Healthcare Visitor’s permission to enter or stay. This can be on the grounds of public policy, public security or public health; if it is conducive to the public good. This can be for reasons such as if the Applicant is found to have obtained the visa by deception, or if they have not complied with their visa restrictions.
Using our Immigration Solicitors in London to submit a successful new S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa application to the UK
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration matter. You can instruct one of our immigration and visa legal representatives to successfully assist you with an application to apply for an S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa. Our solicitors and Barristers will help you comply with the Home Office’s requirements and meet the Immigration Rules.
Caseworkers at the Home Office are trained to reject applications, which are improperly prepared, for example by failing to provide the correct supporting evidence. In order to ensure your application succeeds, our solicitors and barristers will ensure all specified documents must be provided.
The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Successful new S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa applications to the UK with our Immigration Solicitors in London
Our team of solicitors and barristers are specialist immigration lawyers who act in your best interest. We offer a client-tailored approach from the outset. From the very first meeting, we will be able to advise you in respect of your prospects of submitting an S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa application before your application even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation and submission of a S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa application.
We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients. We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice, and other central London courts.
Preparation is the key to successful immigration applications. Our UK immigration and visa solicitors are here to guide you through the complex immigration rules and requirements. If you wish to meet one of our lawyers, please call our Immigration Team so we can assess your case and arrange your legal consultation to discuss an S2 Healthcare Visitor Visa application.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.