NHS treatment is not classed as a public fund for immigration purposes and can be accessed by person who has the ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) condition. However, a person’s immigration status will affect whether they are required to pay for some types of treatment. If a person has paid the Immigration Health Surcharge, they will be able to access most healthcare services, including both primary and secondary healthcare, without further charges.
In Wales, primary healthcare is free to anyone who is ordinarily resident. A person is ordinarily resident if they live in Wales and have leave to remain for settled purposes. Anyone who is not ordinarily resident is considered an overseas visitor. Primary healthcare providers must determine whether a person is ordinarily resident to establish whether they can access free healthcare or are chargeable as a private patient. GPs do have discretion to accept overseas visitors as free patients. Anyone who is registered with a GP can also access free prescriptions in Wales.
Some secondary healthcare services delivered by NHS Trusts are free to everyone regardless of whether the person is an overseas visitor. These include:
Secondary healthcare is chargeable for Overseas Visitors as outlined in the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations 1989. Local Health Boards must consider whether a person is ordinarily resident to establish whether they are chargeable for healthcare. However, some groups of who are not ordinarily resident are exempt from these charges. These include:
Hospital care is generally chargeable where it is delivered through the Local Health Board and the person is not ordinarily resident or is not included in the list of exempt groups. Where a clinical decision is made that the treatment is immediately necessary to avoid, treatment can be provided and charges implemented later.
Please see the Welsh government website for more information on NHS charges in Wales.
For help with other health-related costs, the NHS Low Income Scheme operates in Wales, enabling some people who have a low income to access certain services like travel, dental care, and eye tests. A person who has a low income may be able to obtain an HC2 certificate entitling them to full or partial help. A person can apply for an HC2 certificate regardless of their immigration status. If they have no recourse to public funds and are receiving support from a council, charity or voluntary sector organisation, they will need to provide a letter outlining details of any assistance they are receiving.
To apply for the HC2 certificate, an HC1W form must be completed. See the Welsh government's guidance for more detail on the scheme.
