Registering with a GP as a Skilled Worker Visa Holder is one of those quiet but vital milestones of settling into life in the UK. Long before you’ve mastered small talk about the weather or found your go-to corner shop, securing your place in the NHS system marks the moment you truly belong in your new home. It’s not the most glamorous part of your relocation, there are no ribbon-cuttings or welcome parades, but it’s the bridge between arrival and everyday wellbeing, the bit that says: you’re part of the system now, and the system’s got you.
Why Registering with a GP Matters?
When you’re in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa, you enjoy the right to work and live here as per your visa’s terms. Alongside your employment rights, you also gain access to UK health services — subject to certain conditions.
Registering with a GP (general practitioner) ensures you have a local doctor’s surgery responsible for your primary healthcare. It means:
- you’ll have a point of contact for most non-urgent health needs;
- you’ll be part of the NHS system and can obtain an NHS number if you don’t already have one;
- You’ll be better placed to receive referrals, screenings and continuity of care.
Even though your visa is work-based, your health access is equally important. Many new arrivals delay registration, but as many guides suggest, register sooner rather than later.
Key Pre-Registration Requirements for Skilled Worker Visa Holders
Here are the main things you should check and keep in mind before you approach your local GP surgery:
Immigration & Health-related Checks
- When applying for your visa, you likely paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which allows you to access NHS hospital and GP services on the same basis as someone ‘ordinarily resident’.
- Ensure you hold valid leave to remain (or entry clearance) on the Skilled Worker route. This confirms your legal right to remain in the UK.
- While registering with a GP does not necessarily require proof of your visa status, being eligible under the IHS scheme and having lawful leave improves access and avoids complications.
- You do not need to wait to have lived in the UK for a specific period — registration can happen soon after arrival.
Documents & Practicalities
Although requirements vary slightly by surgery, you will typically need:
- A form of photo ID (e.g. passport)
- Proof of address (a UK tenancy agreement, utility bill, or employment letter)
- Your visa or immigration status (to hand)
- Previous medical history or details should you have it
- If you already have an NHS number, great; if not, the GP registration will assign one.
Step-by-Step: Registering with a GP in 2025
Here is your actionable step-by-step process to register with a GP as a Skilled Worker visa holder:
1. Find a Suitable GP Surgery
- Use the NHS website search tool: look for GP surgeries in your local borough/county.
- Check whether the surgery is accepting new patients. Some practices have local catchment areas.
- Consider convenience (travel time, opening hours) and that you live within or close to the practice’s catchment area.
2. Contact the Practice
- Email or phone the GP surgery and ask: “I’m a Skilled Worker visa holder; I’d like to register — am I eligible?”
- Ask what the registration form involves, whether there is an online form or a paper version, and what documents you should bring.
- Clarify if they require proof of the IHS payment or immigration status (most won’t explicitly require proof of IHS, but having your immigration status ready is helpful).
3. Complete the Registration Form
- Fill in the GP registration form carefully — personal details, address, immigration status, previous medical information.
- Submit the form and provide copies of your ID and address proof.
- Some surgeries may invite you for a short health questionnaire or initial check-up.
4. Receive Confirmation & NHS Number
- After registration, the surgery should confirm your registration in writing (letter or email).
- If you did not already have an NHS number, you will be assigned one. According to NHS guidance: “You can register with a GP surgery to get an NHS number. If you do not already have an NHS number, you’ll be assigned one during registration.”
- Keep this NHS number safe — it will be used for referrals, hospital appointments and continuity of care.
5. Book an Initial Appointment (Optional but Recommended)
- Once registered, you might wish to book a “new patient check” with the surgery.
- Use this to discuss ongoing conditions, ask about services (e.g. contraceptive, mental health, vaccinations), and familiarise yourself with the practice.
- Even if you feel well, this helps ensure smooth access if you ever need medical help.
6. Update the Practice if Your Address or Status Changes
- If you move house or your visa status changes (such as extension or switch), you should let your GP surgery know. Keeping your contact details current ensures you receive important letters.
- Also, if you ever relocate to another area, you’ll need to deregister from the current GP and register with a new one in your new locality.
FAQs
Q: I arrived in the UK yesterday — can I register now?
Yes — you can register as soon as you have a UK address and your visa/leave is in place. Don’t delay until you need care.
Q: Do I need to show proof that I paid the IHS before registering?
Not specifically for GP registration. That said, when you apply for your visa, you will have paid the surcharge (unless exempt), so you will already be in the system to access NHS services.
Q: Will the GP check my visa status?
Many GP practices will ask you to provide ID and confirm your address; some may ask for proof of immigration status. In practice, this varies. The key is that you are eligible based on your visa/leave to remain.
Q: What if the GP surgery is not taking new patients?
You may need to look for an alternative local practice or check with your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) or Integrated Care Board (ICB) for advice.
Q: Can my dependants (partner/children) also register with the same GP?
Yes — dependants on your Skilled Worker visa are eligible to register in the same way. They will each receive their own NHS number once registered.
Final Thoughts!
As a Skilled Worker visa holder in the UK, registering with a GP is more than just a formality — it’s a practical step towards feeling established, supported, and part of the community you now call home. It signals that you’re settling in, ready to look after yourself as you build your new chapter here.
Take this as your reminder to make health a quiet priority, to put your wellbeing on the list right beside work, housing, and all the other essentials of starting fresh. And for more guidance, insight, and step-by-step support for your life and career in the UK, follow Skilled Worker Mag — your go-to companion for navigating the journey with confidence.
