Advice and guidance for healthcare practitioners on the health needs of migrant patients.
No charges for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, treatment and vaccination
Overseas visitors to England, including anyone living in the UK without permission, will not be charged for:
- testing for COVID-19 (even if the test shows they do not have COVID-19)
- treatment for COVID-19, including for a related problem called multisystem inflammatory syndrome that affects some children
- vaccination against COVID-19
No immigration checks are needed for overseas visitors if they are only tested, treated or vaccinated for COVID-19.
Accessing COVID-19 vaccination without an NHS number
Individuals do not require an NHS number or GP registration to receive the COVID-19 vaccination and should not be denied vaccination on this basis. Individuals who do not have an NHS number or are not registered with a GP are still entitled to free COVID-19 vaccinations.
While registration with a GP is encouraged to access the vaccine, individuals can request to book COVID-19 vaccination appointments as an unregistered patient through a local GP practice.
Local outreach services are available in some areas to provide COVID-19 vaccination to those who are eligible but have difficulties accessing vaccination.
If an individual has an NHS number, they can find it through this online tool.
If someone is denied care because they do not have an NHS number, they can contact NHS England’s customer contact centre.
COVID-19 translated advice and guidance
The above guidance on
has been translated into 40 different languages by the Department of Health and Social Care.The following resources are also available in various languages:
- booking a COVID-19 vaccine appointment letter
- what to expect after your vaccination
- COVID-19 vaccination guide for older adults
- COVID-19 vaccination information
- stay at home guidance for households with possible COVID-19 infection
- information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19
- the Mayor of London and London Assembly guidance on COVID-19
Doctors of the World has provided translated COVID-19 resources informed by government and NHS advice.
The International Organization for Migration has set up the COVID-19 Migrant Information Service, which provides multilingual information on COVID-19 measures and support in the UK context. The aim is to support migrants who may face language barriers when reading complex information. The information is available in 5 languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic and Romanian. It relates to 5 important areas of everyday life that have been significantly affected by COVID-19: health, employment, benefits, housing and immigration