The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory charge that applies to visa applications. The UK has a healthcare system which is paid for through taxes. This means that all UK nationals and most residents may have equal access to the NHS without being charged each time they visit a doctor or hospital. A visa holder that has paid IHS will be able to access NHS healthcare treatment on broadly the same basis as a permanent UK resident for the duration of their immigration/visa permission. Who has to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge?You have to pay the IHS if: you are applying for your visa outside the UK and you’re coming to the UK for more than 6 monthsyou are applying for your visa inside the UK and you’ll be here for any length of time UKVI information about the Immigration Health Surcharge Is anyone exempt from paying the IHS? You are exempt from the IHS charges if you areapplying to come to the UK for a period of less than 6 months (for example, a Standard Visitor visa) Scotland information: If you are coming to the UK for less than 6 months, and you will be studying full-time in Scotland, you are entitled to access free NHS healthcare services. However, this only applies to Scotland. You won’t be able to access free healthcare services in other parts of the UK, which means you should take out separate medical insurance if you want to travel within the UK. If residing in the rest of the UK (outside of Scotland), you may be charged for NHS treatment if here as a Visitor. Document NHS Scotland Healthcare Factsheet (196.66 KB / PDF) How much does the IHS cost?Student and Student Dependant visa applications have specific IHS charges of:£776 for a year, and£388 for a half-year IHS Overview: How much you have to payRemember, the Student visa will be longer than your programme, as it includes extra time at the start and end. The total IHS charge is based on the full length of the visa.If you are studying a full-time programme longer than 12 months in length, the Student visa will be issued with an extra 4 months wrap up period at the end. If your visa is issued for a length of more than a year, you’ll have to pay:IHS year charge of (£776) + the half year charge (£388), where the visa length is between 1 year and 18 months. Total IHS of £1164IHS 2 full year charge (2 x £776 = £1552), where the visa length is between 18 months and 2 yearsUKVI IHS Caseworker Detailed Guidance: Immigration health surcharge.docxApplication fees for a Student visa from outside the UKHow and when do I pay the IHS?You must pay the IHS by debit or credit card as part of your online visa application. The IHS portal is integrated and the calculated charged will appear at the end of your visa application. Once all mandatory fees have been paid online, you can finally submit your visa application. The IHS charge will be calculated based on your CAS course start and end dates. If you do not pay the correct amount of IHS: You’ll get an email from UK Visas and Immigration if you do not pay the surcharge (or do not pay enough and need to pay a top-up).The UKVI email will explain how to pay via an online payment link. It will go to the email address given in your visa application. Check your junk folder if you cannot see the email in your inbox. Once you get the email, you must pay the surcharge within:-10 working days if you’re inside the UK-7 working days if you’re outside the UKYour visa application may be rejected as invalid, if you do not pay the full IHS amount in the given time. The IHS and visa fees must be paid where this is required to ensure a visa application is valid. UKVI information about paying the IHS What is a CAS? IHS Reimbursement if studying inside the UK and from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland Full-time students from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland studying inside the UK may be eligible and want to apply for a reimbursement of their immigration health surcharge (IHS).The online guidance explains all eligibility criteria for the IHS reimbursement process, work and healthcare implications, and the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) contact details, which manage this scheme.Email NHSBSA at: nhsbsa.ihsstudents@nhsbsa.nhs.uk Document IHS Reimbursement Information Pack (208.8 KB / PDF) IHS and Healthcare for EU/EEA/Swiss nationalsPlease see the official online reimbursement guidance below: EU IHS Reimbursement guidance for students Pay for UK healthcare as part of your visa application (IHS): Overview This article was published on 2024-07-29