International visitors to the UK who fail to pay bills of £1,000 or more for NHS medical treatment will be refused entry to, or permission to stay in the UK until this debt is paid off, Immigration Minister Damian Green announced earlier this week.

The NHS will provide information that will enable the UK Border Agency to identify those who have not paid their bills. When they apply for permission to return to, or remain in the UK, their applications will be refused. The change will be phased in from November 01, 2011.

The £1,000 threshold is expected to capture 94 percent of outstanding charges owed to the NHS.

This change follows consultations carried out last year by the UK Border Agency and the Department of Health.  A 2009 review is set out to examine the rules on charging overseas visitors for access to NHS services in England. (Source: British High Commission)