Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions people ask us most. Each links to a fuller guide where one exists.
About Sahleva
Is Sahleva a doctor or a clinic?
No. Sahleva coordinates your treatment journey: provider verification, appointments, travel and logistics. Every medical decision is made by your doctor, not by us.
Do I need to already have a doctor?
No. If you have one in mind, tell us and we'll verify them. If you don't, tell us your procedure, and a member of our team will help you find a verified provider.
Who do I talk to if something goes wrong?
For anything about your case, your named coordinator is your point of contact throughout, not a rotating support queue. For a medical concern, contact your doctor, and in an emergency call local emergency services. Your coordinator can help you reach your doctor.
More: how it works and how we verify providers.
Your information
What information do you collect at the start?
Only enough to open your case: your contact details, procedure, whether you already have a doctor, your preferred treatment period, and what help you need. Anything medical, such as history, photos or documents, is collected later, and only after you've given specific consent.
How is my medical information handled?
It's collected only after you consent, reviewed by your doctor, and stored privately. It's never made public, and every access to your documents is logged.
Is my case shared with anyone outside Sahleva and my provider?
No. Your case and documents are only seen by people with a specific, authorized reason: your care team and your assigned coordination staff.
Costs and quotes
How does pricing work?
You see your medical, coordination and travel costs as three separate, labelled quotes, never one combined number you can't break down.
Are quotes final prices?
A quote is a snapshot, valid for a stated period. If it expires or your plans change, we requote before anything is booked, and your earlier quote is kept.
What if my flight or hotel option expires before I decide?
We requote. An expired option is never shown to you as bookable.
More: what makes up the cost of rhinoplasty in Iran.
Travel to Iran
Do I need a visa?
It depends on your passport. Iraqi and Omani passports come under visa-waiver rules, some Gulf passports get 15 days for tourism that can't be extended, and others, including UK and Canadian passports, need a visa in advance. Iran also has a dedicated Medical Visa.
Can I use my bank card in Iran?
UK government travel advice says non-Iranian debit and cash cards will not work in Iran. Plan how you'll pay before you travel.
Does my travel insurance cover treatment in Iran?
Ask your insurer in writing before you book. The NHS says travel insurance does not normally cover things going wrong in surgery, so check what your policy and the clinic's own insurance cover.
What if my provider needs to change my treatment date?
Your coordinator handles it as part of your case, updates your plan, and tells you what changes for your travel.
More: the Iran medical visa guide, paying for treatment in Iran and travelling to Iran for treatment.
Sources
- IR-Iran Electronic Visa: Excluded Citizenship and Important Tips — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Accessed .
- Visa types (T – Medical Visa) — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Accessed .
- Iran travel advice: Safety and security (Money) — UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Accessed .
- Cosmetic surgery abroad — NHS. Accessed .