Immigration

Access to treatment

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As long as you meet immigration law requirements, having HIV will not be used to stop you from getting a visa, work permit or permission to remain in the United Kingdom.

You cannot be refused essential treatment for HIV, regardless of your immigration status.

The rules about who can and who cannot get NHS treatment are complex, and often change. It sometimes happens that NHS officials make mistakes and wrongly tell people that they cannot get treatment.

If you have been told that you cannot get HIV treatment or are worried about being asked to pay for it, you can get advice from African AIDS Helpline, THT Direct or the Refugee Council.

An important rule is that a hospital cannot refuse to give you essential treatment for a condition that is “life threatening.”  The doctor has to decide what is essential, but this usually includes HIV treatment if your CD4 count is below 350.

The hospital may still ask you to pay later, but they should first give you the medicines that you need.

You cannot be refused essential treatment for either of these reasons:

  • because the hospital does not think you are entitled to free NHS treatment
  • because the hospital does not think you will pay the bill
  • Find out more about access to treatment and NHS rules.