Immigration Health Surcharge Increased from £200 to £400 a year

Update: UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Increased to £400 per Year

The UK government has announced that the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will increase from £200 to £400 a year following their initial announcement of their preliminary plans to increase the charges earlier this year. The IHS increase has now come into effect for applications made after 8th January 2019.

Immigration Health Surcharge or IHS is the UK’s healthcare charge that non-EEA migrants need to pay to use the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). The charges, paid as part of the immigration application process, apply to all nationals from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland (EEA) coming to the U.K. for longer than six months to work, study, or join their family in the UK.

To qualify for ILR, applicants must meet specific requirements, which can include a minimum continuous residence period, proof of lawful stay, adherence to immigration rules, and evidence of meeting the English language and knowledge of life in the UK requirements. Once granted ILR, individuals gain several benefits, such as access to public funds, healthcare services, and the ability to apply for British citizenship.

UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Doubles: Changes and Impact Explained

IHS was introduced by the UK government in April 2015 urging migrants to make a fair contribution towards the costs of NHS. Initially, migrants outside of the EEA applying for more than six months of UK stay had to pay additional fees of £200 per year along with their application.

The initial plan to double the IHS was revealed in a publication from the department of health and social care back in February 2018. The original report, outlining the plans, mentioned that the surcharge will increase from £200 to £400 per year with changes coming towards the end of the year.

Tier 4 Students and migrants under the Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme that had a slightly discounted rate of £150 per year will also see an increase in their charges to £300 per year.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), also referred to as settlement or permanent residency, is an immigration status in the UK that offers individuals the privilege of residing and working in the country without any limitations on their duration of stay. ILR bestows various advantages upon individuals, including access to public funds, healthcare services, and educational opportunities. With ILR, individuals can establish their long-term presence in the UK, enjoying the freedom to live and work indefinitely.