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Dear Friends,

My Child born in the UK in 2025 – one parent will be eligible for ILR in 2026. We have no plans to travel abroad, so I’m wondering if there’s any need to apply for a visa for the child at this stage?

We’ve just received a letter from the NHS saying we need to regularise the child’s stay within 3 months, and that any NHS debt over £500 could result in an application being refused.

Has anyone been in a similar situation or can share advice?


Regards

That is a standard letter that the NHS sends. You do need to get some private health insurance for the child, but you don't need a visa for your child if you want to register them as a British citizen as they have an entitlement to being registered. Pay any debts you owe to the NHS in any case.

A child born in the UK does not need a visa if it does not plan to cross any international border.

However, it is also not entitled to free NHS treatment in the absence of any IHS fees having been paid for a visa (and no, you can't just pay the IHS fees without a visa application).

So, as @contorted_svy has advised above, you will want to make sure that there is private medical insurance coverage to cover the baby between three months after birth and the day the baby and you receive a certificate of registration of the baby as a British citizen.

Alternatively, the NHS will bill you (standing in for the baby) 150% of the cost of any NHS treatment needed by the baby. And yes, unpaid NHS bills can be grounds for refusing applications.

Given that the health of babies tends to be fragile, I would suggest taking out the private medical insurance.