When seeing a doctor in the UK, many Chinese people have two misunderstandings: first, they think "I paid IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) , and medical treatment is free"; second, they go home when they go to a clinic to register as a GP and are asked to show their visa and address proof. There are clear legal rules behind these two things. If you understand them, you can save real money every year and avoid being shut out by mistakes.
British visa holders: What fees are free after paying IHS?
Under the Immigration Act 2014, section 38, visa applicants staying for more than 6 months must pay IHS, which is currently £1,035 per person per year. After paying this amount, you will be able to use most NHS services like local residents for free from the effective date of your visa - GP consultation, hospital admission, emergency department, various examinations and treatments.
But please remember this key boundary: IHS does not cover prescription fees, dental, and optometry. In other words, it is free to see a doctor, but the medicine prescribed by the doctor costs money. This is where many people end up overspending on their bills at the end of the month.
NHS prescription fee 2026: £9.90 per item, how to save the most
In England, the single prescription fee will continue to be frozen at £9.90 in 2026 (note: prescriptions in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are already free, and the rules in this article are for England). One medicine is just one medicine, and a prescription for three medicines is £29.70 – a lot of money over the course of a year for people with long-term chronic conditions.
💡 Core money-saving tool PPC (Prepaid Certificate): 3 months £32.05, 12 months £114.50. The 12-month version also offers a direct monthly discount of £11.45 × 10 issues. Once you need more than 11 prescriptions a year, you can make a sure profit by buying the annual PPC, and then you won’t have to pay separately for the entire process of getting your medicines.
There is also the specialized HRT PPC (Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy) fixed at £19.80, valid for 12 months. Do the math: If you regularly take more than 2 medications each month, annual PPC is almost certainly a good deal.
For these people with British visas and status, prescription fees are already free of charge.
Don’t pay in vain, first check whether you belong to the free group: under 16 years old ; 16-18 years old full-time students; 60 years old and above ; pregnant women holding a maternity and childbirth free certificate (MatEx) and within one year after giving birth; holding a specific disease free certificate (MedEx, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, etc.); and those who are eligible for the low-income scheme (NHS Low Income Scheme, HC2). International students and those with work permit families who have children or pregnant women can often be exempted from the bill directly.
GP registration rejected? The law is on your side
This is the point where new Chinese immigrants are most likely to suffer. NHS’s official position is very clear: does not require ID, proof of address, or immigration status to register as a GP. The front desk of clinic has no right to act as an "immigration officer", nor can it refuse your registration because of your nationality, visa type, lack of fixed address, or inability to produce an NHS Number.
In reality, some people were indeed asked by the front desk to provide their passport, BRP/eVisa, and rental contract. If they could not provide it, they were asked to leave. When encountering this situation, remember three steps: ① Politely point out that the NHS official website clearly states that these are not prerequisites for registration; ② Ask the other party to explain the reason for rejection in writing; ③ If you are still rejected, complain to the local ICB (Integrated Care Board) or NHS England. GP is your first door for medical treatment, referral and prescription. Successful registration is the starting point for making good use of NHS.
Are these medical records related to your permanent residence in the UK?
Many people worry: Will using NHS and owing NHS money affect future applications for ILR (permanent residence) ? Important point: after you pay IHS, you can use NHS for free. does not constitute "recourse to public funds" (recourse to public funds) and does not affect permanent residence and renewal. But be wary of another situation - if you have incurred NHS debt as a visitor who is not entitled to free medical treatment and the accumulated has not been paid off for more than £500, your visa or permanent residence application may be rejected on "general grounds". The bill must be settled.
⚖️ This article is for reference only. For specific questions about your identity and medical expenses, please consult a licensed lawyer or NHS official. You can use the 永居计算器 APP to accurately calculate the number of days to leave the country and the continuity of visas on the road to permanent residence, so you can feel more confident.
Interactive · Your experience in saving money on medical treatment in the UK
Have you ever bought annual PPC? How much do you save in a year and is it worth it? Or what documents were asked by the front desk when you registered for GP, and how did you solve it in the end? Welcome to chat with in the comment area about your experience of saving money on medical treatment, so as to help more compatriots who have just arrived.
If you find it useful, please forward it to your friends who are also applying for a British visa and waiting for permanent residence - don't let them pay a penny more.
[Data source] gov.uk "Chancellor freezes charges to keep prescriptions under a tenner", NHSBSA PPC official page, gov.uk "Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application". The specific amount and rules are subject to the latest announcement of GOV.UK / NHS.