A medical visa is a category of visa needed to embark on medical tourism. Medical Tourism is the process of travelling out of your home country to seek medical treatment or healthcare services from foreign doctors and hospitals. Requiring a medical visa to the UK from Nigeria is most often born out of a patient’s need for quality and sophisticated facilities, equipment and doctors. Compared to the declining state of Hospitals in countries like Nigeria, the ever-growing rate of people with conditions that require sophisticated equipment and specialists has given rise to the need for Medical Tourism in today’s world. Data from Global Healthcare Accreditation shows that in 2017 alone, 15,000 patients from Nigeria travelled abroad for Orthopedics, cardiology, and cancer treatment.

Although the inconsistent value of the dollar has made UK medical visas for Nigerians more difficult for patients with the need to travel for medical care, which also has contributed to the rise of a less expensive option, Second Opinion Service. Second Opinion is when another doctor, who is different from the patient’s known doctor, reviews the patient’s medical records and gives an opinion about the patient’s health condition and treatment. (To learn more about getting a second opinion, visit https://medvisit.com.ng/second-opinion/frequently-asked-questions/)

Requirements For UK Medical Visa

Here is a list of documents required when applying for a medical visa to the UK:

• A valid Nigerian passport that is valid for your whole stay in the UK and has at least one blank page for your visa.
• 2 coloured passport-size photographs (recently taken).
• Bank statements showing that you have sufficient funds available.
• Proof of accommodation for the entire duration of stay in the UK.
• Proof of the purpose of your visit to the UK.

Please understand that the above list is not exhaustive. Depending on your case, you may have to submit other supporting documents.

Step-by-Step Process for Getting a UK Medical Visa for Nigerians

The process for a medical visa to the United Kingdom starts with being eligible, which means you can prove that you have a medical condition that requires private consultation or treatment in the UK, you have made arrangements for consultations or treatment, you have enough money or funding to pay for your treatment, you will leave the UK once your treatment is completed, or when your visa expires, and you are not a danger to public health if you have an infectious disease, such as leprosy. You can continue by applying the following steps when you have successfully checked all these boxes.

Step 1: Hospital Selection

Before applying for a medical visa to the UK, it’s important to research healthcare facilities in the UK. Identify hospitals or clinics specializing in the required treatment and ensure they meet your medical needs. You will need to have your medical records, test results, scans, or whatever else may be required of you while you consult with a physician in your selected hospital. Medvisit Nigeria (https://medvisit.com.ng/process/) has partnered with top hospitals across four continents to ensure this process is seamless for patients and family/friends of patients seeking healthcare abroad.

Step 2: Online Application

To travel to the UK to receive private medical treatment, you must apply for the Standard Visitor visa, which allows you to stay in the UK for 6 months and pay a visa fee of £95, but if your treatment will last longer than 6 months, you can apply to stay for up to 11 months, which costs £190. Applicants are to complete the online application with the necessary information and submit supporting documents. 

Step 3: Biometrics Taking and Payment

Attend the scheduled appointment at the visa application centre to provide your biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph. This information is used to verify your identity and strengthen the security of your visa application. Then, you pay the visa application fee at the designated payment point during your appointment at the visa application centre.

Step 4: Travel

After the visa application has been approved, the patient may travel on the day the flight has been scheduled. 

Getting medical treatment in the United Kingdom requires careful planning and preparation. Medvisit Nigeria ensures the entire process goes smoothly for patients and their loved ones. You can contact us via phone at +2349130247317 or visit  https://medvisit.com.ng/contact-us/