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In England, most NHS treatment carried out in a hospital is chargeable for people who are classed as overseas visitors, unless an exemption applies.
Some types of NHS treatment are exempt from charging, regardless of a person’s immigration status. Treatments that are exempt from charging are listed our page on free NHS treatment.
A person will not have to pay for treatment if they have one of the following types of immigration status
The following groups are also exempt:
For the full list of exemptions, see NHS guidance on overseas visitors who do not need to pay for treatment.
Most people who do not have current immigration permission, or who are in the UK for a short term visit, will need to pay for hospital treatment.
This includes people who have:
If a person is required to pay for treatment, it will usually need to be paid in advance. However, treatment that is urgent or immediately necessary must still be provided, even if the person cannot pay.
Further guidance on charging and what happens if a person cannot pay is available from the Department of Health and Social Care.
Maternity care, including antenatal appointments, is chargeable. However, it is always considered immediately necessary, so it must be provided even if the person cannot pay in advance.
Maternity Action provides advice and information about access to maternity care.
Public Health England’s migrant health guide provides further information on what happens if a person’s immigration status changes during treatment and what information may be shared with the Home Office.
The Department of Health and Social Care also publishes detailed guidance on overseas visitor charging.
Page updated: 16 June 2026
A person who has made a claim to the UK government for protection (asylum) under the United Nations Refugee Convention 1951 and is waiting for a decision from the Home Office or final decision from the appeal courts (following a refusal).
Granted to a person who is recognised under the United Nations Refugee Convention 1951 as having a well-founded fear of persecution in their country of origin for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion. A person may be granted refugee status after applying to the Home Office for asylum or entering the UK on a resettlement scheme.
A person who had leave to enter or remain in the UK for a limited period and has no current immigration permission because they either did not make an application to extend their leave before their previous leave expired, or made an application that was refused after their previous leave expired.
The status of a person whose asylum or immigration claim has been refused when they have come to the end of the appeal process without success or have no further right of appeal.
