Immigration Health Surcharge Calculator
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) must be paid upfront for the entire visa period before applying. Paying IHS gives access to NHS services on the same basis as UK residents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?
The IHS is a fee paid by non-EEA nationals applying for UK visas lasting more than 6 months. It grants access to NHS services on the same terms as UK residents. It must be paid in full upfront before the visa application is submitted.
What is the current IHS rate?
From January 2024: £1,035/year for adults on most routes (Skilled Worker, Family, Settlement); £776/year for students, youth mobility, and children under 18.
Is the IHS refundable if the visa is refused?
If your visa is refused, the IHS is refunded. If you leave the UK before your visa expires, you may receive a partial refund for complete unused years (not partial years). The visa application fee is not refunded.
Do EU citizens pay IHS?
Most EU/EEA citizens who arrived before 31 December 2020 and have EU Settlement Scheme status do not pay IHS. New EU nationals arriving from 1 January 2021 applying for UK visas do pay IHS.
Do NHS workers get IHS exemption?
From March 2020, overseas health and care workers applying for Health and Care Worker visas are exempt from IHS. This was introduced during COVID-19 and made permanent. Dependants of Health and Care Workers are also IHS-exempt.
Is the IHS paid per person or per application?
IHS is paid per person — each applicant (adult or child) pays separately. A family of 4 would pay 4 × IHS. Each person's IHS is calculated for the duration of their individual visa.
Does paying IHS guarantee free NHS treatment?
Yes. IHS payers access the NHS free at the point of use, the same as UK residents. However, some NHS charges still apply — prescription charges, dental charges, and some optical charges — as these apply to most UK residents too.
Can employers reimburse IHS for their Skilled Worker?
Yes. Many employers cover IHS costs for sponsored workers. HMRC has confirmed that employer reimbursement of IHS is not a taxable benefit in kind (since April 2020), meaning the worker does not pay income tax on the reimbursement.
What happens if you overstay your visa and IHS expires?
When IHS expires, you lose NHS entitlement (except for emergency treatment which hospitals must provide). Overstayers are not legally entitled to free NHS treatment. Hospitals check immigration status before treating overseas visitors.
Is there IHS for short-term visas (under 6 months)?
No. Visitors (up to 6 months) do not pay IHS. Instead, they are treated as overseas visitors and may be charged for non-emergency NHS treatment at 150% of the NHS cost price.
What does IHS cover in terms of NHS access?
IHS provides NHS access equivalent to a UK resident: GP services, hospital treatment, mental health care, physiotherapy, and A&E. It does not cover: overseas emergency treatment, private healthcare, NHS dental treatment as a private patient, or care home fees.
When was the IHS rate last increased?
The IHS rate was increased from £624/year to £1,035/year in January 2024 — a 66% increase. Before that, it was raised from £400/year to £624/year in December 2020. The government reviews the rate periodically.