INCREASED IMMIGRATION HEALTH SURCHARGE FROM OCTOBER 2020
The Immigration Health Surcharge (“IHS”) is a fee imposed on the UK visa applications. You are obligated to pay the surcharge as part of your visa application or when you make an appointment. If you apply by post, you will have to submit the surcharge before you send your UK Visa application.
Which visa applicants are exempted from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?
The immigration health surcharge should be paid by most visa applicants and their dependants desiring for leave to enter or leave to remain in the UK under the UK Immigration Rules. Limited Visa categories of applicants are excused from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), on the other hand, these exemption include the following:
- If you are applying for Tier 2 (General) Health and Care visa
- If you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR);
- If you are on a visitor visa or a short term visa valid for 6 months or less;
- If you are a diplomat, or a member of visiting armed forces and not subject to immigration control;
- If you are the dependent of a member of the UK armed forces or of an EEA national; or
- If you are an asylum seeker or applying for humanitarian protection.
Furthermore, from 4 August 2020, the UK Home Office introduced a new visa route for eligible doctors, nurses, other health professionals backed by the National Health Service (NHS), and organisations offering medical services to the National Health Service (NHS) or for adult social care.
If you apply for this visa route along with any dependants, or if you are capable under this visa path on or after 31 March 2020, you are also excused from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?
The present Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee is £400 per annum. On the other hand, students and those visa applicants on Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) get help from a somewhat less Immigration Health Surcharge fee of £300 per year.
From this year’s October 2020, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is due to increase from £400 per year to £624 per year. The changes will also comprise an upsurge to students and those under the Youth Mobility Scheme from £300 to £470 per year. Then again, unlike the present system, children under the age of 18 will not be obligated to pay the full Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will also be restrained at £470 per year for all child migrants.
If you have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) what services can you utilize?
You will be obligated to pay for any NHS care you attain at the point that you use the service, if it is a service that is free. Please look at the link mentioned below which summarises the services that you may be allowed to use without any further expense.
This is the end of today’s video update. Thanks for watching.
READ MORE:
- UK HOME OFFICE FEE FOR SPOUSE VISA
- UK VISA FEE RISES FROM 29 MARCH 2019
- FEE FOR POST-BREXIT EU SETTLED STATUS SCHEME CANCELLED BY THE GOVERNMENT
- UK HOME OFFICE FEE FOR SPOUSE VISA
- IHS FEE DOUBLED FROM DECEMBER 2018