Understanding the UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

What Is the Immigration Health Surcharge?

The IHS is a payment made in addition to the visa application fee. Once paid, it grants the visa holder access to NHS healthcare services in the UK on broadly the same basis as a permanent UK resident for the duration of their immigration permission. This means you can access hospital treatment, General Practitioner (GP) services, and other NHS care without being charged at the point of use (though standard charges like prescription fees in England, dental treatment, and eye tests still apply).

It's crucial to understand that paying the IHS is a separate requirement from having private medical insurance. Even if you have private cover, you are still obligated to pay the surcharge if it applies to your visa category.

How Much Does the IHS Cost?

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) charge depends on visa duration and visa type. Some individuals pay a discounted rate, including students, children, and those applying for the Youth Mobility Scheme.

If your visa is for part of a year, you'll pay half or the full annual rate depending on whether that period is less than or greater than six months. In multi-year visas, the surcharge is charged per year. You can use the official IHS calculator on the official website to find out exactly how much you'll have to pay in your situation.

Note: The fee is paid upfront for the entire visa duration during the online visa application process.

Who Needs to Pay the IHS?

Generally, you will need to pay the IHS if you are applying for:

• A UK visa from outside the UK for a period longer than six months. This includes work visas (like the Skilled Worker visa), student visas, and family visas.
• An extension of your visa from within the UK, regardless of the length of the extension.
• Certain immigration applications from within the UK, even if the period of leave is less than six months.

Key Points:

The surcharge applies to each applicant and their dependents.

You must pay the IHS before you submit your visa application. The online application process integrates the IHS payment.

Failure to pay the full amount of the IHS will result in your visa application being refused.

Who Is Exempt from the IHS?

There are several categories of applicants who are exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge. These include, but are not limited to:

If you fall into an exempt category, you must still complete the IHS section during your application—but you won't be charged.

Paying the Immigration Health Surcharge

The IHS is paid online as part of the process of applying for a visa. After you have completed the relevant sections of the online application form, you will be redirected to the payment page where you pay the visa application fee and the IHS. You will need a valid debit or credit card to make the payment.

If you are applying from overseas and do not pay the surcharge (or insufficiently), you will be informed by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) by email about how to pay. You will usually have 7 working days to pay the amount short. If you are in the UK, you will have 10 working days. Being late to pay will lead to your application for a visa being rejected.

UK IHS Application Process

Refunds of the IHS

You may be eligible for a full or partial refund of the IHS in certain circumstances:

Full Refund:

1. If your visa application is refused, voided, or rejected.
2. If you withdraw your visa application before a decision is made.
3. If you have paid the IHS twice for the same visa application.

Partial Refund:

1. If you are granted less time on your visa than you applied and paid for. You will receive a refund for the difference.
2. If any dependants on your visa application are refused a visa. You will receive their IHS payment back.
3. If you are applying to extend or switch your visa within the UK and have paid the IHS twice for the same period.
4. If you are a full-time student from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued in one of these countries and you meet specific criteria (e.g., not working). The refund amount depends on when your EHIC expires.
5. If you work in health or care and have a relevant visa, you may be eligible for a refund for periods you worked for six months or more.

When You Will Not Get a Refund:

1. If your visa application is successful, but you decide not to come to the UK.
2. If you leave the UK before your visa expires.
3. If you are told to leave the UK before your visa expires.
4. If you apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
5. If you switch to another visa category that is exempt from the IHS.
6. If you interrupt your studies or withdraw from your course (as an international student).

How IHS Refunds are Processed

If you are due a refund, it will usually be processed automatically and credited back to the account or card used to make the initial payment. The timeframe for receiving a refund can vary, but it is typically within 28 days of the visa application decision. If you haven't received your refund within this timeframe, you should contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

Quick Tips for IHS Applicants

Understanding and paying the Immigration Health Surcharge correctly is essential to avoid delays or issues with your UK visa application.

• Make sure your IHS payment covers the correct visa length (rounding up to full years).
• Keep your IHS reference number safe—you’ll need it throughout the visa process.
• You can check if you need to pay using the IHS checker.
• Double-check that your payment was processed and recorded before submitting your visa application.
• If applying for dependants, ensure you pay the surcharge for each person separately.
• Save a copy of your IHS payment confirmation for your records and future reference.

Content Disclaimer: While this information was last updated in May 2025, we strongly suggest confirming all travel details with the appropriate governmental agencies, embassies, and airlines.