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The UK government recently announced an extensive increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This will affect people who want to work, study, or visit family in the UK for more than six months and those who want to extend their short immigration approval.
The UK immigration health surcharge will increase annually from £624 to £1,035 per person. The prices will increase from £470 to £776 per person per year for students, their families, YMS hopefuls, and children under 18.
This rise aligns with the government’s promise that the health surcharge in 2024 will cover a visa holder’s NHS care costs. Due to the change, up to £220 million more will be available to fund the NHS.
Some groups, like those on the Ukraine Schemes and Stateless Immigration Route, are exempt.
Those who are interested should check out the official UK government websites for more information:
- UK’s Home Secretary announces a plan to cut down on net migration (GOV.UK)
- Government of Great Britain’s Immigration Health Surcharge: Equality Impact Assessment 2023
People considering asking for a UK visa should stay current on these changes and plan accordingly.
What Will Happen If I Don’t Pay the Health Surcharge for Immigration?
Under paragraph 34(4) of the Immigration Rules, your application will be rejected if you don’t pay the IHS. There is a 10-day waiting period for applications. Applications from UK residents takes 10 days, whereas non-UK residents takes 7 days.
