Individuals wishing to travel to the United Kingdom to undergo private medical treatment, donate an organ, or be assessed as a potential organ donor can apply for the Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa. As a specialist sub-category of the UK’s Standard Visitor route, this visa allows eligible applicants to stay temporarily for medical-related purposes without leading to permanent settlement.
If you are considering making this type of visa application, instructing our leading London law firm ensures your case is handled with the highest levels of care, expertise, and professionalism, giving you the best possible chance of success.
What is the Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa?
The Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa is designed for individuals visiting the UK for:
- Receiving private medical treatment,
- Acting as an organ donor,
- Being assessed as a potential organ donor for a specific recipient.
Applicants can generally be granted entry clearance for either up to 6 months or, in some cases, up to 11 months if longer treatment is required. It’s important to note that this route does not lead to UK settlement. Furthermore, each traveller must submit an individual application, even if travelling with family members or a group.
Choosing our trusted London immigration team ensures your application is meticulously prepared to meet the complex Home Office requirements, avoiding unnecessary delays or refusals.
How Do I Meet the Eligibility Requirements?
To be granted a visa under this route, you must satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) that you:
- Are either a visa national (who must apply before travelling) or a non-visa national meeting entry criteria;
- Genuinely intend to visit the UK for a permitted medical purpose;
- Will not engage in prohibited activities;
- Have sufficient funds to cover all travel, maintenance, accommodation, and treatment costs without working or relying on public funds;
- Intend to leave the UK at the end of your stay;
- Do not plan to live in the UK through frequent or successive visits;
- Meet suitability criteria without falling under general grounds for refusal;
- Have obtained an Electronic Travel Authorisation, if necessary.
The specific documents and information required vary based on individual circumstances. By instructing our London-based immigration lawyers, you benefit from tailored advice ensuring that your application is fully compliant and backed by all necessary supporting evidence.
What if I am a Visa National?
A visa national must obtain a Visit Visa prior to travelling to the UK. The Home Office maintains a published list of nationalities that require visas for short stays. While certain exceptions exist, most visa nationals must apply in advance.
Non-visa nationals, such as EU citizens, can usually seek permission to enter upon arrival. However, they must still be prepared to satisfy border officials about the purpose of their visit and their ability to maintain themselves during their stay.
Our firm regularly assists both visa nationals and non-visa nationals to navigate the complex entry requirements, ensuring smooth travel and entry into the UK for medical purposes.
Must it be the Purpose of My Visit?
Applicants must arrange their private medical treatment before travelling to the UK. Essential supporting documents include:
- A letter from a UK-registered doctor or consultant detailing:
- The medical condition requiring treatment,
- Estimated treatment costs,
- The likely duration of treatment,
- The hospital or clinic where treatment will occur.
- Evidence of sufficient funds to cover all associated costs.
If the treatment is under a reciprocal healthcare agreement with another country, an authorisation form from the home government must also be provided.
By instructing our leading London law firm, you ensure that your documentation is comprehensive, significantly reducing the risk of refusal.
Can I Stay for More Than 6 Months?
Applicants requiring treatment exceeding six months but not longer than 11 months must provide:
- Evidence from a UK medical consultant confirming the need for prolonged treatment,
- Proof that the treatment duration will not exceed 11 months,
- A valid TB test certificate (if applicable).
The Home Office scrutinises these applications closely, particularly the financial ability to sustain a longer stay. Our immigration experts offer vital support in preparing robust evidence packages for such applications.
Can I Visit the UK Â for Organ Donation?
Organ donation visitors must demonstrate:
- A genuine intention to donate an organ or undergo assessment for donation,
- A genetic (blood relative) or close personal relationship with the intended recipient,
- Written confirmation of donor matching tests or assessment plans.
You must also provide:
- A letter from the Living Donor Kidney Transplant team at a UK NHS Trust or an NHS consultant,
- Confirmation of the time and place of planned medical procedures or assessments.
Recipients must be lawfully present in the UK and eligible for NHS or private treatment.
Our firm’s detailed case preparation ensures your personal relationship, donor testing, and medical evidence meet the Home Office’s strict standards.
How Do I Meet the Financial Requirements?
You must prove sufficient funds to cover:
- Travel costs,
- Accommodation,
- Daily living expenses,
- Medical treatment.
Funds must be held in a permitted financial institution and can be supplemented by a third party if they have a genuine relationship with you and meet Home Office standards.
Our London law firm thoroughly audits financial documents before submission, ensuring compliance and minimising the risk of refusal based on inadequate financial evidence.
Do I Require an English Language Test?
Unlike other UK visa categories, applicants for the Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa are not required to meet an English language requirement. However, providing a clear and thorough application in English is crucial.
By working with our multilingual immigration team, you ensure your application is professionally drafted and communicates effectively with UKVI.
Do I Have Any Right to Work ?
Holders of the Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa are prohibited from working in the UK. This includes employment, self-employment, internships, and selling goods or services.
However, permitted activities include:
- Remote working, provided it is not the primary purpose of the visit,
- Seeking employment and attending interviews (but not starting work without the correct visa).
Our immigration solicitors guide you on acceptable activities under your visa, ensuring you remain compliant throughout your stay.
Why Instruct Our Leading London Law Firm?
Navigating the UK’s immigration rules, particularly for specialist visas such as the Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa, can be daunting. Our dedicated immigration lawyers:
- Offer strategic advice on your eligibility and documentation,
- Prepare thorough applications that address all legal requirements,
- Mitigate risks of refusal by pre-empting potential issues,
- Provide ongoing support, from the initial consultation to the visa decision.
With an outstanding success rate and an unwavering commitment to client care, we are proud to be recognised as one of London’s leading immigration law firms.
Contact Us
If you are seeking to apply for a Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa, trust our expert London immigration lawyers to manage your application professionally and successfully. Call us on 02030110276 or Complete our online enquiry form to get started today.