ABSTRACT Background: Illness perceptions play an important role in the lifestyle and behavioural choices of patients receiving haemodialysis (HD). In this research, we aimed to systematically review and synthesise qualitative evidence on illness perceptions in this patient group. Method: Systematic search of the databases Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychARTICLES, The Cochrane Library, PubMed and Scopus were carried out between September and December 2020. We screened 1315 papers, with four eligible for inclusion in the review. Study quality was assessed using the CASP tool. Available data were analysed inductively to begin and then applied deductively to the illness perception framework in NVivo software.  Findings: Six themes were identified within the first stage of the analysis. They related to the meaning, experience and impact of being a kidney patient. These themes were mapped onto the overarching five domains of the illness perceptions framework (i.e., timeline, causality, control/cure, identity, and consequences). The findings highlighted that patients had difficulty in labelling and making sense of kidney disease. They were faced with uncertainty and frequently reported physical and psychological consequences of life on HD. Struggles to regain normality and changes in functionality influenced perception of self. Sources of support were culturally influenced and contributed to cognitive reframing to cope. Discussion: There is limited qualitative research into illness perceptions of patients receiving HD. Available evidence highlights thought patterns that influence patient lifestyle and behavioural choices, especially surfacing cultural influences on coping. Interventions informed by these findings may form the basis of culturally meaningful support.