The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a key component of the UK immigration system, introduced to ensure that non-EEA nationals contribute to the National Health Service (NHS) while living in the UK.
This article provides an overview of the IHS, its fees, and its implications for individuals applying for visas.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The IHS is a fee that individuals applying for certain types of visas to live in the UK must pay. It allows visa holders and their dependents access to the NHS on the same basis as UK residents, meaning they can receive healthcare services without incurring additional costs for most treatments.
Who Needs to Pay the IHS?
Individuals applying for a visa to enter or remain in the for over 6 months.
Certain groups are exempt from the IHS, including:
- Individuals applying for a visitor visa
- Individuals applying for a health and care worker visa
- Individuals applying to the EU Settlement Scheme
- Individuals applying for Indefinite Leave to remain
- Those applying for leave to remain as a stateless person
- Diplomat or a member of a visiting armed forces not subject to immigration control
- you’re a dependant of a member of the UK’s armed forces
- you’re the dependent of a member of another country’s armed forces who is exempt from immigration control
- you’re a British Overseas Territory citizen resident in the Falkland Islands
- you’re an asylum seeker or applying for humanitarian protection (or you’re their dependant)
- you’re a domestic worker who has been identified as a victim of slavery or human trafficking
- you’re applying for discretionary leave to remain in the UK as someone who has been identified as a victim of slavery or human trafficking (or you’re their dependent)
- the Home Office’s domestic violence concession applies to you (or you’re their dependant)
- being made to leave the UK would be against your rights under Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights (or you’re their dependant)
- you’re an S2 Healthcare Visitor
- you’re eligible for a Frontier Worker permit and have an S1 certificate
- you’re a child under 18 who has been taken into care by a local authority
- you’re a relevant civilian employee at NATO or the Australian Department of Defence in the UK (or you’re their dependant)
- you’re applying to stay in the UK as a victim of human trafficking or slavery (or you’re the dependant of someone who is)
- you’re applying to stay in the UK as a stateless person
- you’re applying for the Ukraine Extension Scheme or for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme
How Much is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
As of 2025, the IHS fees are structured as follows:
- Main applicants: £1035 per year
- Students and Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme applicants: £776 per year
- Children under the age of 18: £776 per year
- Dependents: The same fee applies for each dependent, meaning that families may incur substantial costs.
The total fee is calculated based on the length of the visa, and applicants must pay the surcharge at the time of their visa application. For example, if someone applies for a 3-year visa, the IHS would amount to £3105 for a main applicant.
Payment Process:
- Visa Application:The IHS must be paid as part of the visa application process online.
- Reference Number: Upon payment, applicants receive an IHS reference number include in their visa application.
- Refund Policy: If an application is refused, or if the applicant leaves the UK before the visa expires, they may be eligible for a refund of the IHS paid.