Eight mistakes immigrants often make with the NHS: GP registration, A&E, the health surcharge, prescription charges, visiting parents' costs and vaccination letters
Published: Last checked: October 20263 min read
Short answer
Points that cause problems according to official pages: waiting to register with a GP, using A&E for non-emergencies, not knowing the health surcharge (IHS) excludes prescriptions, dental and eye care, not working out a PPC, visiting parents' costs and ignoring vaccination letters.
In short
- This post is general information and does not assess anyone's personal situation. It makes no statistical claim about "the most common" mistakes: it collects the points that, according to official pages, cause problems when missed. It is based on official pages as they were on 18 October 2026 and covers England.
- This post is not medical advice. Each point rests on NHS, NHSBSA or GOV.UK pages.
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Official sources
This answer is based on the pages below. Check the source yourself before you decide.
- NHS: How to register with a GP surgery
- GOV.UK: NHS entitlements, migrant health guide
- GOV.UK: Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application
- NHSBSA: NHS Prescription Prepayment Certificate (PPC)
- NHS: How much will I pay for NHS dental treatment?
- GOV.UK: Immigration information for migrants, moved to the UK
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