Quick answer
Register by visiting any surgery near you that's accepting new patients and filling in a short form. Bring your passport or BRP and a UK address if you have them — but a surgery cannot refuse you for lacking either. International students who paid the Immigration Health Surcharge get GP visits and most NHS treatment free at the point of use.
Why you need a GP before you're ill
Your GP surgery is where NHS care starts for most problems in the UK. Almost everything runs through it: routine appointments, referrals to specialists, prescription requests, and fit notes for time off university. Getting registered before you need a doctor means you're not scrambling for access during a 3 a.m. headache or a missed period.
International students who paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) when applying for their visa have full NHS entitlement from their date of arrival. GP appointments cost nothing at the point of use. There's no extra form to file — paying the IHS activates your entitlement automatically.
How to find a surgery near you
Use the official NHS GP finder at https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp. Type in your postcode and it lists nearby surgeries, shows whether each is currently accepting new patients, and displays opening hours.
Most students register near their home address, not near campus. Some universities have an on-campus health centre; check your student union website. On-campus centres often have very long queues in September, and a local surgery a short walk away may serve you better.
What to bring
The NHS guidance on registering with a GP is clear: surgeries cannot refuse to register you because you lack a fixed UK address or photo ID. If a surgery turns you away for either reason, report it to your local Integrated Care Board.
Bringing documents still helps:
- Passport, BRP, or eVisa printout: proof of identity, useful for the surgery's records
- UK address: halls letter, tenancy agreement, or a university welcome letter
- Previous NHS number (if you have one): check old appointment letters or a previous GP app login
If you've just arrived and have no UK address yet, your university's address works for initial registration.
How to register: step by step
- Find a surgery accepting new patients. Use the NHS GP finder or ask your student services office for recommendations.
- Check the surgery's registration method. Many now let you register online via their own website or through the NHS App. Others use a third-party portal such as Patient Access. Some still want a paper form at reception.
- Complete the GMS1 form (or the surgery's own equivalent). It asks for your name, date of birth, address, contact number, and NHS number if known. Takes about five minutes.
- Submit and wait for confirmation. Most surgeries respond within 24–48 hours. In September in university towns — Leeds, Manchester, Edinburgh — expect up to a week due to the volume of new arrivals.
- Download the NHS App once confirmed. It's free on iOS and Android, and lets you book appointments, order repeat prescriptions, and view your GP record. Tick off GP registration in the Luodi settling-in checklist once confirmed — it also tracks your bank account, NI number, and BRP collection.
What to do if the surgery is full
NHS practices can close their lists when they're at capacity. If you're turned away:
- Try the next-closest surgery. Most postcode areas have several practices within walking distance.
- Ask student services or your welfare officer. They track which surgeries have room for new students.
- Contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). ICBs are legally required to place you with a practice if you can't register elsewhere. Find yours at https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/.
While waiting to get registered, you can still access urgent care. Call NHS 111 (free from any UK number) for medical advice and triage. Urgent treatment centres and walk-in centres handle minor injuries and illness without prior registration.
Registering with a dentist
GP and NHS dental care are entirely separate. As an international student with IHS-backed NHS entitlement, you're eligible for NHS dental treatment, but you need to find a dentist independently. Use the NHS dentist finder to search for practices near you that take NHS patients. Many have closed NHS lists, so start looking early. See the Luodi guide to finding an NHS dentist for what to expect.
Frequently asked questions
Do international students pay to see a GP?
No. Students who paid the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of their visa application receive GP appointments and most NHS treatment at no extra cost. The IHS is paid upfront when you apply for your visa and covers the full duration of your stay.
Can a surgery refuse to register me if I don't have a UK address?
No. NHS rules prohibit this. If a surgery turns you away because you lack a fixed address or ID, you can report it to your local Integrated Care Board. Your university welfare team can help you make the report.
What is an NHS number and do I need it to register?
Your NHS number is a ten-digit identifier assigned the first time NHS services record your details in the UK. You don't need one to register with a GP. You'll be assigned one automatically if you don't already have it — keep it somewhere safe once you receive it.
How long does registration actually take?
The form itself takes about five minutes. Confirmation from the surgery usually arrives within 24–48 hours by text or email. In September in cities with large student populations, allow up to a week.
What if I need a doctor before I'm registered?
Call NHS 111. A trained adviser will assess your situation and direct you to the right service — this may be an urgent treatment centre, a pharmacy recommendation, or advice to wait and book a GP appointment. For emergencies, go straight to A&E.
General information — not advice
This article provides general information about UK rules for international students. It is not financial, tax, legal, immigration or medical advice. Rules, fees and deadlines change — always confirm against the latest gov.uk guidance or speak to a qualified adviser before acting.