When applying for a UK visa, one of the costs you’ll come across is the IHS fee for UK. The Immigration Health Surcharge is important because it gives you access to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, which covers essential health services. In this guide, we’ll explain what the IHS fee is, who needs to pay it, how much it costs, and what’s included.

What is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee that most people need to pay when they apply for a UK visa to live or work in the UK. The IHS fee allows you to use the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), which provides health services like:

• Doctor’s appointments

• Hospital treatment, including surgery and consultations

• Emergency care

• Maternity services

However, some things are not covered under the IHS:

• Prescriptions (you will have to pay for medicine)

• Dental care (you will need to pay for dental services)

• Eye tests and treatments

• Certain optional or cosmetic treatments

The idea behind the IHS fee for the UK is to ensure that people coming to the UK contribute to the cost of healthcare, just like people who live in the UK and pay taxes.

Who needs to pay the IHS fee?

Not everyone applying for a UK visa needs to pay the IHS. The surcharge is generally required for individuals who are applying for long-term visas, such as:

• Work visas (including Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas)

• UK Student visas and those on a Youth Mobility Scheme

• Family visas for those wishing to join family members in the UK

• If you're applying from within the UK, regardless of the duration.

However, there are exceptions. You do not need to pay the IHS if:

• You are applying for a UK visitor visa or any visa that is for six months or less.

• You are applying for indefinite leave to remain or indefinite leave to enter the UK.

• You are a diplomat or a member of the armed forces.

• You are an asylum seeker or someone applying for humanitarian protection.

• You are a dependent of a member of the UK’s armed forces.

• You are applying for the EU Settlement Scheme or are a stateless person.

How much is the IHS fee for UK visas?

The IHS fee for UK depends on how long your visa is:

• £776 per year for students, their dependants, and those on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa.

• £1,035 per year for most other visa applicants.

If your visa is for less than a year but more than six months, you pay the full yearly amount. If your visa is six months or less, you pay half the amount.

How to pay the IHS fee

To pay the IHS fee for a UK visa:

• Apply for your visa online.

• During the application, you'll be prompted to pay the IHS fee.

• Pay using a debit or credit card.

• Receive an IHS reference number and payment confirmation.

Ensure payment is completed to avoid UK visa refusal.

What happens if you don’t pay the IHS fee for UK?

If you don’t pay the IHS or you don’t pay enough, your visa application will be rejected. You will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration telling you how to pay the missing amount. You will have a short time (usually 7-10 working days) to make the payment, or your application will be refused.

Why do you need to pay the IHS fee for a UK visa?

The IHS helps the UK government cover the cost of healthcare services provided by the NHS. People who move to the UK for longer periods of time use the NHS, so they are asked to pay this fee. This helps prevent the NHS from getting too overwhelmed by people who aren’t paying taxes but still need healthcare services.

The IHS also ensures that visa holders don’t have to pay full fees for NHS services as they use them.

Is the IHS fee refundable?

Yes, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee can be refunded under certain circumstances, such as if you paid it twice for the same visa, if your visa application is refused, or if you withdraw your application before a decision is made. Partial refunds are possible if your visa is granted for less time than requested or if dependants’ visa applications are refused. However, you won’t receive a refund if you withdraw your application after your visa is granted, leave the UK early, or switch to a visa that is exempt from the IHS.

Check out the detailed guide on IHS refunds to learn more.