The National Health Service (NHS) is a residency-based healthcare system that works on the concept of ordinary residence regardless of nationality, holding a British/Irish passport, owning a property in the UK, having an NHS number, being registered with a GP or having paid or paying taxes in UK. An overseas visitor is anyone who is not ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom (UK) and as such may be subject to charge for healthcare received during the course of a visit to the UK. If you are visiting the UK or have been living outside the UK for more than six months, you may have to pay for NHS treatment. The Belfast Trust Access to Healthcare Team are obliged by law to find out if people using our services are eligible for free care, or whether we need to charge for the treatment received. The individual is primarily responsible for providing documentation to prove eligibility however, the Access to Healthcare Team are here to assist the individual to gather this information.
All individuals apart from those receiving treatment that is exempt (as per the Persons Not Ordinarily Resident Regulations 2015) are required to complete a questionnaire and asked to provide documents to support their Ordinary Residence in NI or their exemption as an eligible visitor.
All information and documentation can me made available in minority ethnic languages to meet the needs of those not fluent in English.
Legislation
The Persons Not Ordinarily Resident Regulations 2015 legislation for charging overseas patients.
View and prove your immigration status: get a share code – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Further information and Entitlement to NHS Services and first time registration in other languages
PLEASE NOTE: The following information is for patients and staff who may need to prove their status whilst residing in the UK.
All Biometric Resident Permit holders are being advised to take action now to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa at www.gov.uk/evisa.
- Should anyone need support with creating their UKVI account or getting access to their eVisa, the latest updates and guidance can be found on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/evisa.
- For those based in the UK who do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device, do not have internet access, and do not have access to a device like a laptop or smart phone, they can get help filling in their online Home Office application. Details on how to access this support can be found on GOV.UK at Get help with your online Home Office application – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
- Extensive support is now also available through the eVisa grant funded network of organisations for vulnerable holders of physical immigration documents who require support in making the transition to eVisa. Details of support available, including the list of organisations is available on GOV.UK at: eVisa: community support for vulnerable people – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).