The government is considering a significant increase in the immigration health surcharge (IHS), which could see migrant workers' annual fees for NHS treatment double to over £1,200.
Try our UK visa cost calculator which will be updated with the new IHS fees once the guidance and the dates are announce.
EDIT: This article was published 2 days before the official announcement and the increased amounts are expected to be 15% and 20%. The date that the new fees will apply is expected to be end of summer or early autumn. The table below shows the expected increases:
​Application type | Current Fee | ​New Fee |
|---|---|---|
​Immigration Health Surcharge - Adults (per year) | £625 | £1,035 |
​Immigration Health Surcharge - Under 18 (per year) | £470 | £776 |
Skilled Worker Visa (3 years or less) - on shortage list | £625 £470 | £719 £551 |
Skilled Worker Visa (More than 3 years) - on shortage list | £1,235 £943 | £1,637 £1,085 |
UK Spousal Visa | £1,538 | £1,845 |
Ancestral Visa | £531 | £637 |
Consider a scenario where an individual relocates to the UK on a five-year visa. In this case, they would be obligated to make an initial payment of £5,175 for the Immigration Health Surcharge, in addition to the visa application fees. Notably, these fees are expected to see an increase. Such financial implications underscore the significant considerations involved in international migration and the associated healthcare provisions.
The plans, which are still being finalised, are a way of raising hundreds of millions of pounds of extra revenue for the NHS at a time when its capacity and finances are increasingly under strain.
Ministers in the Home Office and Department for Health are reviewing a number of options, including raising the surcharge for older migrants, who are more likely to use the health service, than for foreign students or younger workers.
The Treasury is understood to be receptive to the move, which would be a significant departure from the current system, where the surcharge is set at a flat rate of £624 per year.
The IHS, which was introduced in 2015, requires migrant workers and their families to make an extra contribution to the NHS in order to use its services. The charge applies to most foreign nationals who come to work, study or stay with family in the UK for six months or more. There are limited exemptions, including for overseas NHS staff and asylum seekers.
The government's plans have been met with mixed reactions. Some have welcomed the move, arguing that it is necessary to raise revenue for the NHS and to deter people from coming to the UK for free healthcare. Others have criticized the plans, arguing that they are unfair and will disproportionately affect low-income migrants.
The plans are still in the early stages, and it is not yet clear when they will be implemented. However, if they are approved, they would represent a significant change to the way that the NHS is funded.