Doubling Down: Immigration Health Surcharge Increases on 8 January 2019

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will double on 8 January 2019.

The IHS fee is an extra fee to fund the NHS that is paid by visa applicants seeking temporary residence in the U.K. for six months or longer to work, study or join their family members. The surcharge is implemented for visa applicants so that they are medically covered throughout their stay. It gives access to these individuals to be treated by the NHS services on the same basis as U.K. citizens.

This surcharge will rise as of tomorrow from £200 a year to £400 a year. Students, and those on the Youth Mobility Scheme, currently pay £150 a year, and this will double to £300 a year.

Visa applicants must pay the IHS fee before they submit or send their application to the U.K. authorities.