Fiancée Visa and NHS

Hello,

I will be moving to the UK next year on a fiancée visa to be with my boyfriend (who's a British citizen.)

If I understand correctly, I'd be eligible for NHS as soon as I arrive in the UK. Is that correct? For some reason, I thought I'd only be covered after we're married.

Being an insulin-dependant diabetic, I also think I'd be eligible for the Medical Exemption Card so that I can get my prescriptions for free. Once again, will I be able to get this card only having the fiancée visa... or will I have to wait until we're married?

Any info would be appreciated! I'm so glad I found this site... I've been browsing for the last hour and I've gathered so much information.   

Cheers!

Cat

You'll be eligble for the NHS on your fiance visa. Be warned though that some surgeries don't seem to understand that. You could take in a copy of this page that explains your eligibility if you run into any problems. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/International/OverseasVisitors/Browsable/DH_4955329

You're also correct that you'll be eligible for the medical exemption card due to your insulin dependent diabetes. I'm a type 2 diabetic and was on Lantus when I moved here on a fiance visa in 2005 (I'm off it now). They're big on insulin pens here so that was a shock to me being so used to injections by syringe. I've had great treatment here for my diabetes from my GP and nurses. If you have any other questions, let me know.

Thanks so much for the info and the link!

I'm very, very relieved! One less thing to worry about!

Cheers!