Healthcare for international students: the NHS and the IHS

Before a child leaves for the UK, families usually ask two questions: what happens if they get ill, and what will we have to pay? The answer depends mainly on the length of the visa. Students on longer courses pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) with their visa and can then use the National Health Service (NHS); students on short courses usually rely on insurance.

The figures below were checked on GOV.UK in October 2026.

The Immigration Health Surcharge

If your child applies for a Student or Child Student visa, or any visa of more than 6 months, the IHS is paid as part of the online application. As of October 2026 it costs £776 per year for students and for anyone under 18. It is paid upfront for the full length of the visa: an extra period of 6 months or less counts as half a year, and anything longer counts as a full year. Our guide to UK student visas explains the visa fees alongside it.

Once the visa starts, your child can use the NHS free of charge in much the same way as someone who lives in the UK. Some services still carry charges, including prescriptions, dental treatment and eye tests. In England, whether a young person pays for these can depend on their age and whether they are in full-time education, so check the NHS website or ask the GP surgery.

Short courses and visitors

If you apply from outside the UK for 6 months or less, for example a Standard Visitor visa for a summer school or a short English course, you do not pay the IHS. That also means your child is generally not covered for NHS hospital treatment. Under the NHS charging rules in England, overseas visitors are charged for most hospital care, at 150% of the NHS cost, unless an exemption applies.

Some services are free to everyone, including GP consultations, treatment in an accident and emergency (A&E) department and the NHS 111 advice line. However, if a visitor is admitted to hospital after A&E, that care can be charged. For any short stay, buy travel health insurance that covers medical treatment and repatriation, and check whether the summer school already includes insurance or requires a particular policy.

Registering with a GP

A GP (general practitioner) is a family doctor and the first point of contact for most health needs. Your child should register in the first week or two, not when they are already unwell.

• According to the NHS, you do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status to register, and you do not need an NHS number.
• Many surgeries accept online registration through the NHS website, and most take appointments by phone or online once you are registered.
• A surgery can refuse registration if it is not taking new patients or if you live outside its area, so choose one close to the school or term-time address.
• Universities usually point students to a nearby practice, sometimes on campus. Boarding schools normally have a health centre or school nurse and an arrangement with a local GP; ask how this works at your child's school.

Knowing where to go

• Pharmacy: advice on minor illnesses such as colds and sore throats, and over-the-counter medicines.
• GP: anything ongoing or non-urgent, prescriptions and referrals. In the UK you usually see a specialist only after a GP referral, which surprises many families from Türkiye.
• NHS 111: in England, call 111 or use the online service when you need urgent advice and are not sure where to go.
• 999 or A&E: for real emergencies only.

What to prepare before departure

• A short medical summary in English: conditions, allergies, past operations and vaccinations.
• Any regular medication, enough for the first weeks, with the prescription and a note of the generic name, since brand names differ between countries. Some medicines are classified differently in the UK, so ask your doctor at home about alternatives before departure.
• Translated copies of specialist reports if your child needs ongoing care.
• A glasses or contact lens prescription, and a dental check-up before leaving.

Mental health matters as much as physical health. Schools and universities offer counselling and wellbeing support, and a GP can refer students to NHS services. Our guide to settling in during the first weeks covers homesickness and when to ask for help.

How YES can help

Before departure we are glad to go through health arrangements with you: the IHS on the visa application, insurance for short courses and how the school or university handles medical care. Whether your child is heading to a summer school or a longer programme, contact us with any questions.

This article is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change; always check the official sources before you apply.