Wants to know UK student visa health surcharge fee?
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is something important, because you’ll need to pay this when applying for your UK student visa.
There are no exceptions when it comes to this.
Which means, that every international student has to pay this fee to use the National Health Service (NHS) while studying in the UK.
It’s pretty important to understand what this fee is all about. Since you’ll need it for your visa and to get healthcare during your time in the UK.
Therefore, let’s find out those in detail to get a better idea of it.
What does it mean by the Immigration Health Surcharge?
Before talking about any charges, let’s see the purpose of it.
Back in 2015, the UK introduced this fee that is called as the Immigration Health Surcharge.
When you pay it, you get to use the NHS just like someone who lives in the UK permanently.
Here are the advantages of it:
- You can go to NHS hospitals
- Consult doctors
- Get any emergency care
- Receive any of regular medical treatments
So, it’s like having your pass to all kinds of medical needs and wants, just like a UK citizen.
Current IHS Fees for Students
Right now, in 2024, you need to pay £470 for each year. During your stay in the UK as a student.
The system works out the total based on how long your visa will last.
So if you’re studying for three years, you need to pay £1,410 (that’s £470 times 3).
Here’s something to keep in mind: If your course lasts for something like two years and three months. You’ll still need to pay for three years in full.
On the other hand, if you’re bringing your family with you. They each need to pay the same amount as well.
That means if you’re coming with your partner and one child, you’re looking at £1,410 for each person for three years, which adds up to £4,230.
Note: The fee has gone up recently because the government wants to make sure that the NHS can keep on providing its service to international students.
When and How to Pay the IHS
You need to pay this fee before you send in your visa application.
When you’re filling out your visa application online, it’ll take you to the IHS payment page.
The system calculates your fee based on how long you’ll be staying and shows you how to pay.
As the first step, you must answer some questions to figure out how much you need to pay.
Then, you’ll get an IHS reference number, which you must keep somewhere safe.
This is because, you’ll need it in the future for your own work!
When it comes to payments, you can pay with credit or debit cards, and depending on where you’re from, you might have other ways to pay too.
Tip: Keep the reference number somewhere safe because you’ll need it for your visa application and healthcare-related services as well.
IHS Fee Exemptions and Reductions
Here’s the good news, not everyone has to pay the full amount.
Now what does that mean?
Well, if you’re from the EU and were living in the UK before December 31, 2020, and you’ve got a settled or pre-settled status, you don’t need to pay.
Moreover, some countries have special healthcare agreements with the UK, which might mean different rules for you, but this doesn’t happen more often.
Anyway, if you are wondering about getting any refunds at the end of the process, it is a bit complicated to give you a clear answer.
Whereas, sometimes you can get your money back, like if your visa application doesn’t work out or if you have made plans to leave the UK on early notice.
However, you need to ask for a refund – it won’t happen automatically.
Note: If you’re from the EU/EEA and came after January 1, 2021, you need to pay just like everyone else.
Common Questions and Issues
People often ask about getting their money back and extending their visas.
So, if you need to stay longer and extend your visa, you’ll need to pay the IHS again for the extra time.
Your coverage starts when your visa starts and ends when it finishes.
In case, if you have arrived later than your visa date, you won’t get your money back for that time.
Anyway, getting your healthcare is pretty easy after you’ve paid that amount.
Whereas, you’ll need to sign up with a local doctor by using your IHS reference number and proof that you’re a student.
Note: You can always get any emergency care, even if you haven’t registered yet. Remember though – even with the IHS, you still need to pay for things like dental care and prescriptions, just like everyone else in the UK.
Tips for International Students
When you’re planning your budget for studying in the UK, make sure that you include the healthcare costs as well.
Besides the IHS fee, keep some money aside for things like dental treatment, prescriptions, and any special care that you might need.
Additionally, make sure that you keep all your IHS paperwork safe, especially your reference number and payment confirmations.
More rarely, some students also get private health insurance on top of their NHS coverage.
Anyway, you don’t have to do this, but it can be helpful if you want a service that the NHS doesn’t fully cover or if you want to be seen more quickly for non-emergency stuff.
The IHS is something important if you wish to study in the UK.
This is because it allows you to use one of the best healthcare systems around while you’re studying.
Moreover, it helps you to know about the fees, how to pay, and what you’re covered for when you’re planning your time in the UK.
Anyway, we know that the IHS fee is quite a bit of money, but it means you can get any healthcare services throughout your studies without worrying about any medical bills.
So if you think about it, it’s a win-win situation on your end.
Contact TEVS a UK student visa consultants in Sri Lanka for more information.
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