The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee required from most individuals applying for a visa to enter or remain in the UK, aimed at contributing to the National Health Service (NHS). As of the latest update, the standard fee is £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for children, students, and Youth Mobility visas.
Applicants from outside the UK for more than six months, except short-term visitors and fiancé(e) visa applicants.
Applicants within the UK for any duration of leave, including those seeking limited leave to remain.
Applicants for indefinite leave to remain.
Applicants under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Diplomats, members of visiting armed forces, and their dependants.
Asylum seekers and applicants for humanitarian protection.
Victims of slavery or human trafficking and their dependants.
Victims of domestic abuse and their dependants.
Those claiming that deportation would violate their rights under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
The fee is calculated based on the duration of the visa, rounded up to the nearest half year. An online calculator is available for those unsure of their exact fee.
The IHS is paid during the visa application submission online, and it's integrated into the application process, making it impossible to proceed without payment. Refunds are issued automatically if an application is refused, typically within six weeks.
Introduced through the Immigration (Health Charge) Order 2015 and updated in subsequent years, the IHS aims to ensure that migrants contribute to the cost of NHS services they can access. Despite the introduction of this surcharge, all lawful non-visitor migrants gain access to the NHS, similar to UK residents.
Having private health insurance does not exempt applicants from paying the IHS, and the surcharge must be paid in full regardless of any private coverage.
If a visa application is refused, the IHS is refunded automatically to the payment card used. However, refunds are delayed until any administrative review or appeal process concludes.
This article, initially published in January 2020, has been updated to reflect the increase from £624 to £1,035, effective January 2024, highlighting the significant financial consideration for those looking to move to the UK.
Prepared on the information from freemovement.org.uk