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Paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (£776 a year) with your Student visa gives you NHS care on broadly the same basis as UK residents. Register with a GP near your address soon after arriving, use 111 for urgent advice and 999 in emergencies. Dental care still costs extra. House of Admissions (HOA) gives free guidance from Kathmandu and Pokhara.

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January 2027 UK intake: open at many universities for selected courses — see deadlines · February 2027 open at a few universities (as of 15 October 2026) Free service

Quick answer

Yes. The Immigration Health Surcharge you pay with your visa gives you NHS access. Register with a local GP early; some charges, such as dental treatment and prescriptions in England, still apply.

Student Life 3 min read

NHS Healthcare for International Students in the UK

Your Immigration Health Surcharge buys you access to the NHS. Here's how to make the most of it.

NHS healthcare sign in UK

The Immigration Health Surcharge and What It Covers

When you apply for a UK Student Visa, you pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — approximately £776 per year. This entitles you to use the National Health Service (NHS) for free, just like a UK citizen, for the duration of your visa.

NHS coverage includes: GP consultations, hospital treatment, emergency A&E, maternity care, and mental health services.

How to Register with a GP

  1. Find your local GP surgery (search on the NHS website using your postcode)
  2. Register as a new patient — you can usually do this online or by visiting in person
  3. You do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status to register (NHS), though some surgeries ask
  4. Registration typically takes 1–2 weeks to be processed

Register as soon as you arrive in the UK, before you need medical care. Don't wait until you're ill.

Mental Health Services

Student mental health is an increasingly recognised issue. In the UK, you can access:

  • Your university's counselling service (usually free, book early as appointments fill up)
  • NHS mental health services via your GP referral
  • The Samaritans helpline (116 123) — 24/7, free, confidential

Culture shock, loneliness, and academic pressure are common experiences for Nepali students in their first semester. Seeking support early is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Keep reading: Pre-departure checklist · UK cost of living in NPR · Student life in the UK page

Key Facts — 2026

UK Visa Fee
£558 (from 8 Apr 2026)
IHS (NHS Surcharge)
£776/yearA 1-year master’s is granted ~16 months leave, so you pay £1,164 (UKVI, 2026)
Bank Balance (Outside London)
£10,539/year£1,171/month × 9 months (NPR 20.5L). From 30 Nov 2026: £1,203/month, £10,827/year
Bank Balance (London)
£13,761/year£1,529/month × 9 months (NPR 26.8L). From 30 Nov 2026: £1,570/month, £14,130/year
HOA Guidance Fee
100% Free
Part-time Earnings
≈ £1,017/month (20 hrs × £12.71)

Which maintenance figure applies to you is set by the date you submit the visa application, not your course start date. The increase is in Statement of Changes HC 584. Full breakdown in NPR →

Frequently Asked Questions