Last week we received the excellent news that our client (“the Applicant”) has been granted a 6-month visa to come to the UK in order to receive urgent privately funded medical treatment. Private Medical Treatment Visa applicants can apply for a visa for either 6 or 11 months depending on the length of the treatment and recovery time. The UK has the medical technology far beyond other countries which is what makes it an attractive destination for patients to seek private medical treatment which could be lifesaving.
The Case for a Private Medical Treatment Visa
The Applicant is a national of Mauritius, and as a non-visa national is able to enter the UK for no longer than 6 months at a time on a tourist visa basis. One of the permitted activities of a tourist visa is that individuals may receive privately funded medical treatment, which is what the Applicant had been doing since the end of 2017. The Applicant had most recently entered the UK in July 2018 by Euro Star as she was too ill to travel by air, and decided to submit a Private Medical Treatment application in order to undergo a lifesaving transplant procedure.
The Applicant gathered all of the required documents and made the application from within the UK as she was too ill to travel back to Mauritius in order to submit an entry clearance application. In just over 1 month, the Home Office had granted the Applicant leave to remain in the UK until April 2019 in order to receive the necessary lifesaving treatment.
What is a Private Medical Treatment Visa?
A Private Medical Treatment Visa allows individuals to come to the UK for a period of 6 or 11 months for the purpose of receiving private medical treatment. This may be for a range of factors, but usually because of the level of treatment and care is not available in their home country.
Private Medical Treatment Visa Applicants are also able to visit family and friends whilst in the UK, carry out certain business activities per the rules of the Business Visitor Visa and also study for a no longer than 30 days per the rules of the Short-Term Study Visitor Visa. Essentially, Applicants must adhere to the basic guidelines of a Standard Visitor Visa.
What are the main requirements for a Private Medical Treatment Visa?
Before applying for a Private Medical Treatment Visa, it is important that the following Home Office requirements can be satisfied:
- Genuine visitor to the UK – Applicants must demonstrate that they will leave the UK at the end of their Private Medical Treatment Visa and will not remain in the UK making it their primary home;
- Applicants must prove that they are visiting the UK for the purpose of receiving private medical treatment and will not undertake any permitted activities under Appendix V of the Immigration Rules whilst they are in the UK;
- Maintenance – Applicants must be able to show that they have sufficient funds to cover the cost of their trip to the UK without recourse to public funds. This includes the private medical treatment that they will be receiving. The private medical treatment must have been arranged before travel to the UK;
- Letter from a doctor or treating physician- Amongst other things, the letter must detail the Applicant’s medical condition, the estimated cost of the private medical treatment, the expected duration of the private medical treatment and where the private medical treatment will take place; and
- If the Applicant is suffering from a communicable condition, they must have satisfied a medical inspector that they pose no threat or danger to public health. They must also take a Tuberculosis Test if travelling from certain countries.
One of our immigration solicitors has previously spoken to the BBC regarding Private Medical Treatment Visas and that it is often the case that the Home Office refuses applications. Therefore it is extremely important that Private Medical Treatment Visa applications are prepared correctly, especially in circumstances where the required treatment is urgent and life-saving. Our Immigration team can assist with the preparation of a Private Medical Treatment Visa application and should be contacted today in order to arrange a consultation.
Using Legal Representation to prepare a Private Medical Treatment Visa application
Legal representatives, such as our specialist immigration and visa law firm, are qualified to advise you on immigration law and your immigration status. It is possible to instruct an immigration and visa legal representative to submit a Private Medical Treatment Visa application.
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, all necessary documents must be provided.
This can be a significant administrative task and you will need to submit the correct documentary evidence. The UK Immigration Rules are complex and a legal representative can help ensure that your application meets the Immigration Rules.
Successful Private Medical Treatment Visa Applications
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 immigration status and the merit of your visa and immigration application before your matter even reaches the Home Office UK Visa & Immigration department. We can assist you with the preparation of your Private Medical Treatment visa application and ensure that you meet all the requirements of the relevant rules.
Our offices 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.
Contact our London immigration solicitors on 02030110276 or complete our contact form.