Applicants coming to the UK for 6 months or longer are required to pay a mandatory immigration health surcharge in order to access the National Health Service (NHS).
This is currently charged at £776 per year, If the granted visa includes part of a year that is 6 months or less, the amount payable for that year would be £388, a course for 12 months will incur a charge of £1164.
- Who has to pay the healthcare surcharge?
Visa applications outside the UK: You will have to pay the surcharge if you are making an application for a visa longer than six months in duration.
Visa applications within the UK: You will have to pay the surcharge if you are making a visa application regardless of the amount of leave requested.
- How much is the healthcare surcharge?
This is currently charged at £776 per year, if the granted visa includes part of a year that is 6 months or less, the amount payable for that year £776 and an additional £388, thus a course for 12 months will incur a charge of £1164.
For example, an MSc programme student would have to pay £1164: £776 for their 1year course plus £388 for the additional 4 months of leave granted after the course ends.
If you have any dependants, they will also have to pay the charge.
You can use the tool on the UK government webpage to calculate exactly how much you will need to pay.
- Is anyone exempt from the charge?
You will not have to pay the healthcare surcharge if any of the following applies:
- You are applying for entry clearance for less than six months
- You are applying for a Short Term Study or Visitor visa
- You have been awarded a Chevening or Commonwealth scholarship *
* Chevening and Commonwealth scholarship students will have their surcharge paid by the UK Government, but will still need to obtain an IHS number.
- When do I pay the healthcare surcharge?
You will be prompted to pay the surcharge when you complete your online visa application. Please do not try to pay your health surcharge separately from your application, as if you do you will have to pay the fee twice, and although one payment will be refunded it can take a while for the refund to be processed.
You will also have to pay the surcharge and the visa application fee before you submit your application. You will not be able to submit your application until full payment is made.
- Can I take out private health insurance instead of the healthcare surcharge?
You can take out private health insurance in addition to the healthcare surcharge. However, you will still need to pay the surcharge as part of your visa application. The Home Office will not waive it for those who already hold or intend to purchase private health insurance.
- Can I get a refund if I do not use the NHS during my studies?
No, you are not entitled to a refund, even if you do not access the service during your studies.
- What happens if I pay the healthcare surcharge but then my visa application is refused?
You will receive a refund of your payment for the healthcare surcharge, but not for the visa application fee.
Useful links
Contacts
- Email the Visa Enquiries Team - General queries on visa applications and CAS