Immigration Health Surcharge
Individuals looking to come to the UK for at least 6 months must pay the immigration health surcharge in order to access NHS services whilst in the UK.
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What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The immigration health surcharge, also known as the IHS is a fee made by the majority of UK visa applicants (there are some exemptions). By paying the IHS, individuals are able to access a range of healthcare services offered by the NHS whilst they are in the UK. The immigration health surcharge must be paid even if you wish to take out private medical insurance whilst in the UK.
The healthcare surcharge was introduced in the Immigration Act (2014) and acts as a financial contribution by migrants to the cost of their healthcare whilst in the UK. The IHS was introduced to minimise the chances of people visiting the UK to act as a ‘health tourist’.
Contents |
Who is exempt from paying the IHS? What happens if you don’t pay the IHS? |
What does the Immigration Health Surcharge cover?
The healthcare surcharge enables individuals to utilise certain services offered by the NHS whilst they are in the UK. The IHS does not cover dental care, the use of an optician, nor does the healthcare surcharge cover the cost of prescriptions given whilst in the UK.
How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The cost of the immigration health surcharge is dependent on the visa:
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Students and individuals on the Youth Mobility Scheme visa must pay £776 per year.
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Visa and immigration applicants aged under 18 years old must pay £776 per year.
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Individuals on any other type of visa or immigration application must pay £1035 per year.
The figures above are correct at the time of update - 6th February 2024
The cost of the healthcare surcharge is also dependent on the length of leave granted as well as where they are applying from:
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Individuals applying for a visa of 6-months or less AND who are applying outside of the UK do not need to pay the healthcare surcharge.
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Those applying within the UK who wish to stay in the UK for 6-months or less will be required to pay half of the yearly fee.
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Individuals wanting to stay in the UK for 6 months to a year must pay the full cost of the surcharge, regardless of location.
How do I pay the immigration health surcharge?
The surcharge must be paid before you submit your visa application. To make a payment you must do the following:
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Go to this link.
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Register for the service.
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Pay the healthcare surcharge (unless you are exempt).
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Use the immigration health surcharge reference number which has been provided to you to complete your visa or immigration application.
What happens after I pay the healthcare surcharge?
After you have paid the surcharge, you will receive an immigration health surcharge reference number. This reference number will be shown on the screen and the immigration health surcharge reference number will also be sent to your email.
The immigration health surcharge reference number acts as your confirmation of payment and you will need it to complete your visa application.
How to find your IHS number?
Once you have made the payment your IHS number will be displayed on the screen. You will also be sent an email which contains your IHS number. We recommend that you make a note of your IHS number when it is displayed on your screen just in case, for whatever reason, you do not receive the email.
HoProviding that your email address was entered correctly, you would have received an email which contained your IHS reference number. Therefore, the best way to retrieve or check your IHS reference number would be to use the search function in your emails to find your confirmation receipt which will contact your IHS number
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Who is exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge?
Whilst the majority of UK visa applicants are required to pay the IHS as part of their application, not everyone who comes to the UK is required to pay the healthcare surcharge. If you fall into one of the following categories, you are not required to pay the healthcare surcharge, nor are you required to obtain a IHS reference number:
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You are applying for indefinite leave to enter or remain.
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You are a health and care worker who is eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa (or you are their dependant).
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You are applying to the EU Settlement Scheme.
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You are either a diplomat or a member of a visiting armed forces and are not subject to immigration control.
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You are the dependant of someone in the UK’s armed forces.
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You are the dependant of someone in another country’s armed forces who is exempt from immigration control.
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You are applying for a visa for the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.
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You are a British Overseas Territory citizen resident in the Falkland Islands.
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You are an asylum seeker or you are applying for humanitarian protection (or you are their dependant).
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You are a domestic worker who has been identified as being a victim of slavery or human trafficking.
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You are applying for discretionary leave to remain in the UK as someone who has been identified as being a victim of slavery or human trafficking (or you are their dependant).
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The Home Office’s domestic violence concession applies to you (or you are their dependant).
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Being made to leave the UK would be against your human rights under Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights (or you are their dependant).
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You are an S2 Healthcare Visitor.
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You are eligible for a Frontier Worker permit and have an S1 certificate.
Additionally individuals applying for one of the following are also not required to pay the healthcare surcharge or get an immigration health surcharge reference number:
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A visitor visa.
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A visa which lasts for 6 months or less AND they made the application from outside of the UK.
Children (aged 18 years old) in care, civilian employees at NATO or the Australian Department of Defence in the UK need to obtain an immigration health surcharge reference number. However, these individuals do not need to pay the fee and the online system will automatically recognise this exemption.
What happens if I don't pay the healthcare surcharge?
If you don’t pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your application then UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will notify you by email. After receiving the email you will have between 7 and 10 working days to pay the immigration health surcharge, failure to do so will result in a rejected visa or immigration application.
When do I have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?
Applicants wishing to enter or extend their stay in the UK must pay the immigration health surcharge before they submit their application. The cost paid is based on the maximum period of time for which permission could be granted under the relevant application route. For instance, for family members applying under Appendix FM the period will usually be two-and-a-half years. Whereas, a student undertaking a one year course may have to pay for one-and-a-half years as this reflects the maximum length of leave that may be granted in that instance.
Full refunds are given if you paid the IHS twice, your visa application was refused, or you withdraw your visa application. Whereas,a partial refund is given when a visa application has been successful but you did not come to the UK, you left the UK before your visa expired (this includes leaving because you were told to do so), and you applied for indefinite leave to remain. These refunds are usually received within 6 weeks of the decision being given, however if you are making an appeal or wanting an administrative review then it may take longer.
Can the immigration health surcharge be refunded?
Yes, in the following circumstances you can get a refund on the immigration health surcharge:
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If you paid the fee twice.
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If your immigration application was refused or you withdrew it.
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A partial refund will be given if dependants have been refused or if you have received less leave than what you applied for.
You may also be eligible to receive an IHS refund if you work in health and care. If you are a medical professional (working in an eligible job) in the UK on a Tier 2 visa you are eligible to apply to receive a partial or full refund depending on when you paid the fee. If you meet this eligibility criteria then your dependants can also get a refund.
If your application is refused then you will receive a refund. This refund will automatically happen upon a refused application and the refund will go to the card which was used to pay for the immigration health surcharge. It may take six weeks (or longer) to receive the refund.
If your case goes to administrative review or appeal, then this refund of the immigration health surcharge will be put on hold until the outcome of this is settled.
You will not get a refund of the IHS even if you do not use the services offered by the NHS. Nor will you get a refund if you leave the UK before your visa expires.
How do I apply for a immigration health surcharge refund?
If you believe that you are entitled to a refund, then you must contact UKVI with details of:
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Your (and any dependants’) immigration health surcharge reference number;
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The date when you paid the charge;
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Your Certificate of Sponsorship number; and
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The name of your employer.
What occupations are eligible to receive an IHS refund?
If you are in the UK on a Tier 2 (General) visa and have one of the following jobs, then you are eligible to apply for am IHS refund:
Biological scientist | Nurse | Podiatrist |
Biochemist | Ophthalmic optician | Psychologist |
Dental practitioner | Paramedic | Social worker |
Doctor | Pharmacist | Speech and language therapist |
Midwife | Physiotherapist | Therapy professional |
Medical radiographer | Physical scientist |
Can I apply for a refund if I don’t have a Tier 2 visa or if I work in another healthcare role?
Yes, if you don’t meet the requirements directly but are a medical professional without a Tier 2 visa or you have a Tier 2 visa but don’t work in an eligible occupation then you are able to apply for a refund if you meet the following:
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You work for an eligible organisation.
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You have been in your role for the last 6 months for at least 16 hours per week.
How do I get my IHS refund
How do I get my IHS refund if I pay twice?
If you pay your IHS twice then you will automatically get refunded and your IHS refund will go to the card used to make the payment. However, if you haven’t received your immigration healthcare surcharge refund within 6 weeks then contact UKVI.
What to do if you have not received your IHS refund
If your IHS refund has not been received within 6 weeks, then you will need to contact UKVI.
What is the IHS reference number?
The IHS reference number is given to you once you have paid the IHS and essentially acts as confirmation of payment. You need the IHS reference number in order to complete your immigration application.
When you have paid the IHS the reference number will be displayed on your screen and you will also receive an email with the reference number on. The IHS reference number is ‘IHS’ followed by nine numbers.
How can I find my IHS number? How to retrieve or check your IHS reference number
Providing that your email address was entered correctly, you would have received an email which contained your IHS reference number. Therefore, the best way to retrieve or check your IHS reference number would be to use the search function in your emails to find your confirmation receipt which will contact your IHS number.
IHS reference number email not received
In case your IHS reference number email is not received, it is important to note down your IHS reference number when it appears on the screen at the time of payment.
When your IHS number is displayed either make a note of it or print a copy of it to ensure that you have the number to hand in case you do not receive the IHS reference number email.
Your IHS reference number begins with IHS and is followed by nine digits.
How can Paragon Law help?
If you require assistance or advice in relation to the immigration health surcharge or another immigration application then please get in touch with us and one of our immigration advisors will be in touch with you shortly.