NHS & Healthcare in UK for Nepali StudentsIHS Fee, GP Registration & NHS Access 2026
You pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £776/year as part of your UK Student Visa. This entitles you to free NHS healthcare during your entire stay — GP appointments, hospital treatment, mental health support. Here’s exactly how to access it.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — What You Already Paid
Every student applying for a UK Student Visa pays the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). From January 2024: £776 per year (£776 for each year of your visa). For a 1-year Master’s: £776. For a 3-year Bachelor’s: £2,328. This payment entitles you to use the full NHS during your entire visa period — exactly as a UK resident would.
How to Register with an NHS GP on Arrival
Registering with a GP (General Practitioner / NHS doctor) should be done in your first week in UK. It is free and gives you access to all NHS services.
- Find your nearest GP: Visit nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp and enter your postcode. Some GPs are "closed" to new patients — if so, try the next nearest.
- What to bring: Your BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) and proof of your UK address (accommodation booking or a letter). Photo ID (passport) is also helpful.
- Complete the registration form: Most GPs have an online registration form on their website. You will be registered within a few days.
- Download the NHS App: Available on iOS and Android. Once registered with a GP, the NHS App lets you book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and view your medical records.
Important: Some GPs are very busy and may have a 1–3 week wait for routine appointments. For urgent non-emergency issues, call 111 (free, 24/7) or use the NHS 111 app. For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 or go to A&E — always free.
Prescriptions, Dentist & Optician Costs in UK 2026
| Service | England | Scotland/Wales/NI |
|---|---|---|
| GP consultation | Free | Free |
| NHS prescription | £9.90 per item | Free |
| A&E (emergency) | Free | Free |
| NHS dental checkup | £26.80 (Band 1) | Free (Wales/Scotland) |
| NHS eye test | £20–£30 | Free (Scotland) |
| Hospital treatment | Free | Free |
Students under 19 in full-time education, and students on low income, can apply for free prescriptions in England via an HC1 form.
NHS & Healthcare in UK for Nepali Students — FAQ
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee paid as part of the UK Student Visa application. From January 2024: £776 per year of the visa. For a 1-year Master's visa: £776. For a 3-year Bachelor's visa: £2,328. This entitles you to use the full NHS throughout your stay in UK — GP appointments, hospital treatment, A&E, prescriptions. It is paid during the online visa application, not on arrival.
After arriving in UK and collecting your BRP: (1) Go to nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp and enter your postcode. (2) Choose a GP that is accepting new patients. (3) Complete their online registration form — you need your BRP, UK address proof, and passport. (4) Registration takes 1-3 days. (5) Download the NHS App (iOS/Android) after registration to book appointments. The registration is free. For urgent issues before registering, call 111 (free, 24/7).
In England: prescriptions cost £9.90 per item (one prescription charge per medication). Students under 19 in full-time education get free prescriptions. Low-income students can apply for free prescriptions via an HC1 form. In Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland: prescriptions are free for everyone. If you are studying in Scotland (Glasgow, Edinburgh), Wales (Cardiff), or Northern Ireland (Belfast) — all prescriptions are free.
Medical emergency in UK: (1) Life-threatening emergency — call 999. (2) Urgent but not life-threatening — call 111 (free, 24/7) or use the NHS 111 app for advice. (3) Walk-in urgent care — find an NHS Walk-in Centre or Urgent Treatment Centre near you (no appointment needed, no charge). (4) A&E (Accident & Emergency) — for serious emergencies; always free. Never avoid A&E due to cost worries — NHS treatment is free for all registered IHS-paying visa holders.
More UK Study Resources
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