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Topic: NHS and a Fiance Visa  (Read 2637 times)

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NHS and a Fiance Visa
« on: August 23, 2015, 05:06:36 AM »
Hello all-
I found a few older posts on the Fiance Visa/NHS topic, but I am not sure how up to date they are. I am still a bit confused. On a Fiance Visa, am I able to use the health insurance in the UK and will I have to pay for visits and fees? I have tried finding info on the NHS website, but it isn't too specific for this situation.

My visa was just approved, so I am planning on going to the UK within the next month or so, but my U.S. insurance will be void once I resign from my teaching position. My biggest concern is getting my birth control prescription each month. My doctor will not give me advance prescriptions, as my insurance only allows me to get it month by month.

Any advice or suggestions from those who have been in my situation?


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Re: NHS and a Fiance Visa
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2015, 07:10:54 AM »
As I understand it, a fiancé visa does not allow use of the NHS anymore because it is only valid for 6 months so you will either need to purchase health insurance for the UK or just pay out of pocket (though without insurance you will be charged 150% of the actual cost) until you are married and get your FLR(M) visa (for which you will pay the extra £500 NHS levy).

From the UKVI website (https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/overview):
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Visitor visas and short-term visas

You don’t have to pay the healthcare surcharge if you’re applying from outside the UK for a visitor visa or any visa that lasts 6 months or less.

You don’t need to use the healthcare surcharge service or get an IHS reference number for your visa application. Instead, you’ll have to pay for any healthcare you get through the NHS at the point you use it.

However, birth control is free to ALL in the UK, including people who don't have access to the NHS. So you should be able to get birth control anyway (which you should be able to get from either a GP or a family planning clinic), but you might have to pay a bit for doctor's appointments (depending on what insurance you can get).

From the NHS website regarding visitors from outside the EEA (but will also apply to other visas that don't give NHS access):
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Some services or treatments carried out in an NHS hospital are exempt from charges, so that they are free to all. These include:

-    accident and emergency services – not including emergency treatment if admitted to hospital
-    family planning services – this does not include termination of pregnancy or infertility treatment
-    treatment for most infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
-    treatment required for a physical or mental condition caused by torture, female genital mutilation (FGM), domestic violence or sexual violence – this does not apply if you have come to England for the purpose of seeking that treatment

You should also be able to get more than 1 month's worth of BC at a time - I get a year's worth per doctor's visit... one prescription for 6 months and then a repeat slip for a second 6 months, which I just request from my local pharmacy when I need it... so I only have to see the doctor once a year.

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« Last Edit: August 23, 2015, 07:27:17 AM by ksand24 »


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Re: NHS and a Fiance Visa
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2015, 04:37:19 PM »

However, birth control is free to ALL in the UK, including people who don't have access to the NHS. So you should be able to get birth control anyway (which you should be able to get from either a GP or a family planning clinic), but you might have to pay a bit for doctor's appointments (depending on what insurance you can get).

Under the Immigration Act 2014, from 6 April 2015 a consultation with a GP or nurse will be free (to protect the UK) but any treatment, test etc from them will not be free.

As birth control (but not abortions) is free for all,  I read that as a visit to a GP, walk in centre or family planning clinic for birth control, should be for no charge?
« Last Edit: August 25, 2015, 05:07:48 PM by Sirius »


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Re: NHS and a Fiance Visa
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2015, 08:57:55 PM »
Thank you both!!


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