UK PRIVATE MEDICAL TREATMENT & ORGAN DONATION VISIT VISA FOR SWISS RESIDENTS

The Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa is available to individuals residing in Switzerland seeking private medical treatment in the UK, as well as those acting as organ donors, or those being assessed as potential organ donors for a specified recipient in the UK.

This visa falls under the Standard Visitor route, which allows temporary visits to the UK. A Visitor seeking private medical treatment may receive entry clearance for up to either 6 or 11 months.

Do Swiss (Or EU) Citizens Need a UK Visit Visa?

Under UK immigration law, Swiss (and EU) citizens are non-visa nationals. This means that most citizens of Switzerland (and the EU) who are visiting the UK for the purpose of private medical treatment lasting up to 6 months do not need to apply for a UK Visit Visa in advance of travelling. Swiss (and EU) nationals can simply enter the UK using the ePassport gates and will automatically receive 6 months permission to enter as a Visitor.

However, all Swiss (and EU) citizens visiting the UK for the purpose of private medical treatment in the UK must still satisfy the UK Visitor Visa eligibility requirements (set out below) and may be asked to prove that these requirements are met at the UK Border.

If you are a citizen of Switzerland (or the EU) and you are planning to enter the UK for the purpose of private medical treatment lasting up to 6 months you should ensure that you understand the eligibility requirements for a short stay visit and can prove that you satisfy these requirements if asked to do so.

When Should a Swiss (Or EU) Citizen Apply for a UK Visit Visa?

If you wish to enter the UK for the purpose of receiving private medical treatment or organ donation for between 6 months and 11 months then you must apply for a UK Private Medical Treatment Visit Visit prior to travelling to the UK.

Although not required under UK immigration law, some Swiss (and EU) citizens who are planning to enter the UK for the purpose of private medical treatment lasting up to 6 months may also choose to apply for a UK Visit Visa before travelling to the UK in order to reduce uncertainty and facilitate smoother entry into the UK.

The main reasons for Swiss (and EU) citizens to apply for a UK Visit Visa before travelling to the UK for short-term private medical treatment lasting less than 6 months are as follows:

To Avoid Potential Issues at the UK Border: Applying for a UK Visit Visa in advance can provide Swiss (and EU) citizens a level of certainty and reduce the risk of being denied entry upon arrival. Border officers have the discretion to refuse entry if they have doubts about your intentions or your ability to support yourself.

Previous Travel History Concerns: If you have previously had issues with UK immigration or have an irregular travel history, including having previously been refused entry into the UK or overstayed your permission for any reason, applying for a UK Visit Visa in advance can help address any concerns proactively.

Having a Criminal Record: If you have a criminal record, applying for a UK Visit Visa in advance can help address any potential issues. As part of your UK Visit Visa application you can provide necessary documentation and explanations, ensuring that any concerns are dealt with before travel rather than at the UK border.

Complex Travel Plans: If your travel plans are complex, involving multiple countries or tight schedules, having a UK Visit Visa could help ensure that there are no unexpected complications.

Do Swiss (or EU) Citizens Need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (UK ETA)?

From 2 April 2025, Swiss citizens (and EU nationals) visiting the UK will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travelling, even if they do not require a visa. This additional requirement applies to all short visits, including those for family visits, tourism, work-related training, business and permitted paid engagements.

Do Other Residents of Switzerland Need a UK Visit Visa?

If you are a visa national under UK immigration law residing in Switzerland, you must apply for a UK Visit Visa before travelling.

A visa national is someone who needs a visa to enter the UK as a visitor due to their nationality. The Home Office provides a list of nationalities that require a Visit Visa before travel. Some exceptions allow certain visa nationals to seek entry on arrival.

Non-visa nationals residing in Switzerland can seek entry for private medical treatment lasting up to 6 months upon arrival without a Visit Visa but must still satisfy the entry requirements, including explaining the purpose of their visit and their arrangements for accommodation and return travel. Although not required, non-visa nationals seeking entry to the UK for private medical treatment lasting up to 6 months may choose to apply for a UK Visit Visa before travelling to the UK in order to reduce uncertainty and facilitate smoother entry into the UK. Non-visa nationals residing in Switzerland who wish to enter the UK for private medical treatment lasting between 6 months and 11 months must apply for a UK Visit Visa prior to travel.

Requirements for a Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa from Switzerland

To qualify for a UK Private Medical Treatment Visa from Switzerland, you must satisfy UK Visas & Immigration that:

• Genuine Visit: You are genuinely seeking entry for a permitted purpose;

• No Prohibited Activities: You will not engage in prohibited activities;

• Financial Stability: You have sufficient funds to cover travel, maintenance, and accommodation costs without working or accessing public funds;

• Intent to Leave: You will leave the UK at the end of your visit;

• Non-Residency: You will not live in the UK for extended periods through frequent or successive visits, or make the UK your main home;

• General Grounds for Refusal: Your application does not fall for refusal under general grounds for refusal;

  
  

Specific requirements may vary based on individual circumstances. For expert advice, consider consulting an immigration lawyer.

Visit Visa for Private Medical Treatment in the UK

To qualify, you must arrange your private medical treatment before traveling. You need a letter from your UK doctor or consultant detailing your medical condition, estimated costs, treatment duration (which must be finite), and the treatment location.

If receiving NHS treatment under a reciprocal healthcare arrangement, provide an authorisation form from the relevant government.

You must also prove sufficient funds to cover all visit and treatment costs.

Patients Seeking Private Medical Treatment for More Than 6 Months

For an 11-month visa, you must provide evidence from your UK doctor or consultant that treatment will last more than 6 months but not exceed 11 months. If receiving NHS treatment, you will need to provide an authorisation form stating the treatment duration. You must demonstrate the need for treatment exceeding 6 months and have adequate funds to cover costs.

UK Visit Visa for Organ Donation

You must prove your intention to donate an organ or be assessed as a potential donor for a specified recipient in the UK with whom you have a genetic or close personal relationship.

Provide written confirmation of medical tests showing you are a donor match or are undergoing further tests. Include a letter from the UK NHS Trust’s Living Donor Kidney Transplant team or a UK registered medical practitioner confirming the organ transplant or tests. The recipient should be lawfully present in the UK and entitled to receive treatment.

Intention to Leave the UK and Return to Switzerland

You must prove you will leave the UK at the end of your visit and not live there for extended periods through frequent or successive visits. The Home Office will consider your immigration history, financial circumstances, and personal and economic ties to your country of residence.

Private Medical Treatment and Organ Donation Visit Visa Financial Requirement

You need sufficient funds to cover all reasonable costs without working or accessing public funds. Funds must be in a permitted financial institution. A third party can cover your costs if they have a genuine relationship with you, are not breaching immigration laws, and can support you during your stay.

UK Private Medical Treatment Visit Visa Validity Period

You can apply for a Visit Visa valid for 6 months, 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years. You may enter and leave the UK multiple times during the visa's validity period, but each visit must not exceed 6 months. An 11-month visa is available for extended private medical treatment, provided you meet the additional criteria.

Right to Work

Visa holders cannot work in the UK, establish a business, or provide goods or services. They may undertake activities allowed under the Standard Visitor route, including permitted paid engagements arranged before travel, completed within 30 days of arrival. Remote working is permitted if not the primary purpose of the visit. Visitors can seek employment and attend interviews but must leave the UK to obtain appropriate entry clearance if successful.

UK Visit Visa Application Fees in Switzerland

The application fee for a short stay up to 6 months is £115. For stays of more than 6 months but not exceeding 11 months, the fee is £200. Fees for visas valid for 2 years, 5 years, or 10 years are £432, £771, and £963, respectively.

How Our UK Immigration Lawyers in Switzerland Can Help

Through the Swiss office of our UK immigration law firm, we are delighted to offer a comprehensive range of UK immigration legal services to Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) residing in Switzerland.

Our UK visa and immigration services encompass expert guidance on all UK visa routes for Swiss residents, along with a fully-managed UK visa application preparation service tailored for Swiss citizens (and non-Swiss citizens) in Switzerland.

Our experienced UK immigration lawyers assist individuals seeking private medical treatment in the UK, as well as those acting as organ donors, or those being assessed as potential organ donors for a specified recipient in the UK. We provide advice, help prepare visa applications, and offer legal representation to challenge refusals.

We are approachable and proactive, dedicated to providing clear, reliable immigration advice as part of a professional and friendly service.

For expert UK visa advice and assistance, contact our UK Visit Visa lawyers at +41 21 588 07 70 or complete our enquiry form below.