How much is the UK immigration health surcharge (IHS)?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Under the Immigration (Health Charge) Order 2015, the surcharge is £1,035 for each year of leave for most adult applicants, and £776 a year for students, their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants and anyone under 18. A part year of six months or less costs half the annual amount; more than six months costs a full year.

Key facts

What	The law says	Source
Students and their dependants	£776 per year	Immigration (Health Charge) Order 2015, Sch. 1
Youth Mobility Scheme	£776 per year	Sch. 1
Applicants under 18 (main applicant or dependant)	£776 per year	Sch. 1
All other applicants aged 18 or over	£1,035 per year	Sch. 1
Years charged	Each year of the maximum leave that could be granted on that application	art. 4(3)–(4)
Part year	6 months or less: half the annual amount; more than 6 months: full annual amount	art. 4(6)
Applications outside the Immigration Rules	Annual amount × 2.5	art. 4(5)
Who doesn’t pay (examples)	Visitors, applications from outside the UK for 6 months or less, indefinite leave to remain, Health and Care Worker visa (and dependants), EU Settlement Scheme	GOV.UK, “Who needs to pay”
Paying late	Pay within 10 working days (inside the UK) or 7 (outside) of UKVI’s email, or the application is refused	GOV.UK, “How much you have to pay”

How the amount is worked out

The Order sets an annual amount and multiplies it by the length of leave. For an application under the Immigration Rules, you pay for each year of the maximum period of leave that could be granted on that application (art. 4(3)–(4)). A leftover part year of six months or less costs half; more than six months costs a full year (art. 4(6)). The Home Office’s guidance gives examples: £1,552 for a 2-year student visa and £3,105 for a 3-year visa at the general rate. For a visa over a year but no more than 18 months, it’s the yearly cost plus half; between 18 months and 2 years, two full years.

The £776 and £1,035 amounts have applied since 6 February 2024, when the Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2024 substituted them.

Who pays and who doesn’t

The guidance says you usually pay if you apply for more than 6 months from outside the UK, or for any length of time from inside the UK. Visitor visas and applications to stay permanently don’t pay. Others who are exempt include Health and Care Worker visa applicants and their dependants, EU Settlement Scheme applicants, and several protection and humanitarian categories. Dependants aged 18 or over usually pay the same as the main applicant. Private medical insurance does not exempt you.

If you apply for indefinite leave to remain but are given limited leave instead, you have to pay the surcharge before that leave is granted.

Refunds

The guidance says you get the whole surcharge back if your application is refused, if you withdraw it before a decision, or if you paid twice for the same application. You get part of it back if you’re granted less time than you asked for, if a dependant is refused, or if you paid twice for the same period when extending or switching in the UK (rounded down to the nearest 6 months). There’s no refund if you withdraw after the visa is granted, don’t come to the UK, leave before your visa ends, or apply for indefinite leave to remain. Refunds usually arrive within 6 weeks of the decision.

What it covers

From the date your visa starts you can use the NHS free of charge, the guidance says. You still pay for some services, such as prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and assisted conception.

Sources

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.