Savanna Hoffman
International students in the UK are required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application. The IHS fee covers healthcare costs during their studies in the UK, allowing students to access hospital treatment and other medical services through the National Health Service (NHS). The cost of the IHS varies depending on the length of the student's visa and can range from £388 to £776 per year, with additional fees for periods of less than a year. Students from certain countries, such as the EU, Norway, and Switzerland, may be eligible for an IHS reimbursement, but this can affect their access to free healthcare in the UK. Understanding the IHS is crucial for international students to ensure they have the necessary healthcare coverage during their stay in the UK.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is IHS? | Immigration Health Surcharge |
| Who has to pay it? | Students applying for entry clearance for a period of more than 6 months |
| How much does it cost? | £776 per year for each year you are in the UK. Where your stay in the UK includes part of a year, you would be charged £388 for periods of 1-6 months and £776 for periods of 6-12 months. |
| When to pay? | The payment is made as part of your visa application. |
| What does it cover? | Access to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK, including emergency healthcare and hospital treatment. |
| What is not covered? | Prescriptions, dental treatments, eye tests, and assisted conception. |
| IHS reimbursement | Students with an EHIC card can get a full or partial IHS refund. |
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What You'll Learn
IHS reimbursement
International students who apply for Student Immigration permission in the UK or outside the UK for permission to stay in the UK for more than six months will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS is a mandatory charge that applies to visa applications and covers healthcare costs during an international student's time studying in the UK. The cost of the IHS is £776 for each year of Student Immigration permission granted, rounded up to the nearest six months. The charge is based on the full length of the Student Visa, which is usually granted for one month before the course begins and ends four months after the course ends.
Some EU and Swiss students can claim an IHS reimbursement or refund. To be eligible for a refund, students must be full-time students in UK higher education with a European Healthcare Insurance Card (EHIC) issued in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein. They must also not be working and not plan to work while they study. Students with an S1 certificate registered with the NHS Business Services Authority may also be eligible for a full or partial refund.
The reimbursement process for EU and Swiss students begins on 1 January 2022. The amount refunded will depend on the date the EHIC card expires. Applications for reimbursement can be made on the Government website. If a refund is not paid within 28 days, students can contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
Students who have paid the IHS twice for the same period of six months or more will receive a partial refund rounded down to the nearest six months. For example, if a student has paid twice for a 15-month period, they will receive a refund for 12 months of IHS. If someone has paid the IHS on the student's behalf, that person will receive the refund.
Students who are applying to extend or switch their visa in the UK and have paid the IHS twice for the same period may also be eligible for a refund. However, if a student's appeal or administrative review is successful and they have already received an IHS refund, they will have to repay the IHS.
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IHS costs
International students in the UK are required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application. The IHS fee covers healthcare costs during their studies in the UK, providing access to the National Health Service (NHS). The cost of the IHS depends on the length of the student's visa and can be calculated based on the number of years or months covered by the visa.
For example, if a student is coming to the UK for a 12-month course, their visa should typically start one month before the course and cover the course duration plus an additional four months. In this case, the visa duration would be 17 months, and the student would be required to pay an IHS fee of £1,164 (£776 + £388). This calculation takes into account the standard IHS fee of £776 per year, with an additional pro-rated amount for the partial year.
For students applying for a three-year undergraduate degree course, the calculation would be similar. They would pay £776 for each year of their course, plus £388 for the additional time covered by their visa before and after the course. Thus, the total IHS cost for a three-year degree would be £2,716.
It is important to note that the IHS must be paid regardless of whether the student intends to use the NHS or has private health insurance. The IHS is a mandatory requirement for student visas and must be paid in full at the time of the visa application. Failure to pay the correct IHS fee may result in the rejection of the visa application.
Some EU and Swiss students may be eligible for an IHS reimbursement, but this decision should be carefully considered. Receiving an IHS reimbursement may impact the validity of their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and reduce their access to free healthcare in the UK. Students who receive a reimbursement will need to rely on their EHIC for medically necessary treatment during their stay.
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Eligibility for IHS
To be eligible for the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), you must be applying for a visa for a period of more than six months. The IHS is mandatory for anyone wishing to enter the UK on a Student Visa and must be paid as part of the visa application process. The fee is £776 per year for each year you are in the UK, with a pro-rated fee of £388 for periods of 1-6 months and £776 for periods of 6-12 months. For example, if you are studying a three-year undergraduate degree course, you will have to pay £776 per year for each year of your course, plus £388 for the additional amount of time you are given on your visa before and after your course. Thus, the total fee for a three-year degree would be £2,716.
It is important to note that the IHS fee is separate from any private health insurance you may have and must be paid even if you do not intend to use the NHS. Once you have paid the IHS, you are entitled to use the NHS free of charge from the date your visa starts, including emergency healthcare and hospital treatment. However, you will still need to pay for certain types of services, such as prescriptions, dental treatments, eye tests, and assisted conception.
If you are a student from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland, you may be eligible for an IHS reimbursement if you have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for the length of your visa. However, if you choose to work in the UK, your EHIC will no longer be valid, and you will lose your eligibility for the reimbursement.
Finally, if you have any family members or dependents joining you in the UK, they will be entitled to free NHS hospital treatment but will need to pay the IHS individually and register with a GP to access the full range of NHS services.
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IHS and private health insurance
International students in the UK are required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their visa application. This surcharge is mandatory for anyone wishing to enter the UK on a Student Visa for more than six months. The IHS fee covers healthcare costs during your studies in the UK, granting you access to the National Health Service (NHS). It is important to note that the IHS payment must be made regardless of whether you have private health insurance.
The IHS fee varies depending on the duration of your stay in the UK. For each year of your intended stay, the IHS costs £776. If your stay includes a part of a year between one and six months, you will be charged £388 for that period. For periods between six and twelve months, the charge is £776. For example, if you are studying a three-year undergraduate degree course, you will pay £776 for each year of your course plus £388 for the additional time granted on your visa before and after your course. Thus, the total IHS fee for a three-year degree would be £2,716.
Once you have paid the IHS, you are entitled to use the NHS services free of charge. This includes emergency healthcare and hospital treatment, but it is important to note that you may still need to pay for certain types of services such as prescriptions, dental treatments, eye tests, and assisted conception. Additionally, accessing some dental services through the NHS can be challenging due to long waiting lists, and many dental practices do not accept NHS patients.
While the IHS provides access to the NHS, some international students may prefer the additional benefits offered by private health insurance. Private health insurance can provide faster access to healthcare services, including shorter waiting times for non-emergency treatments and elective procedures. It may also offer a wider range of treatment options and facilities, potentially resulting in a more comfortable and personalized healthcare experience. However, it is important to consider the additional cost of private health insurance, which can be significant, especially when compared to the already-paid IHS fee.
In conclusion, the IHS is a mandatory fee for international students seeking to study in the UK for more than six months. It grants access to the NHS and covers healthcare costs during their studies. While private health insurance is an alternative option, it is not a replacement for the IHS and may come with additional costs and benefits that each student should carefully consider based on their individual needs and preferences.
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IHS and work
International students in the UK are required to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to access the National Health Service (NHS). The IHS is mandatory for students applying for a visa of more than six months and costs £776 per year for each year of their stay. Students must pay this fee as part of their visa application, and their visa will not be granted if they have not paid the fee or have paid the incorrect amount. This fee grants students access to emergency healthcare and hospital treatment without charge, although certain services such as prescriptions, dental treatments, and eye tests are not covered.
Students from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland may be eligible for an IHS reimbursement, allowing them to receive a refund for the IHS fee. However, this reimbursement comes with some important considerations. Firstly, students must carefully consider their intention to work in the UK before deciding on the reimbursement, as working in the UK will invalidate their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This is because their home country will no longer be responsible for their healthcare while they are employed in the UK. Therefore, if students with the reimbursement do choose to work, they must contact the health authority in their home country to confirm their healthcare coverage and consider purchasing additional insurance.
The eligibility criteria for the IHS reimbursement vary depending on the student's country of origin. For instance, students from Norway applying for a reimbursement between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023, must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team at the NHS Business Services Authority. Additionally, to receive a full reimbursement, students must ensure that their EHIC is valid for the entire duration of their visa. If the EHIC only covers a portion of their stay, they will receive a partial reimbursement for the period of validity, rounded down to the nearest six months.
It is important to note that the IHS reimbursement may impact the level of healthcare coverage students receive in the UK. While students with the reimbursement can access "medically necessary treatment" using their EHIC, the definition of "medically necessary" is determined by the medical provider. As a result, students may be charged for state healthcare if it is not deemed medically necessary. Therefore, students must carefully evaluate their healthcare needs and eligibility before deciding whether to apply for the IHS reimbursement.
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Frequently asked questions
The Immigration Health Surcharge is a mandatory fee that international students must pay to access the National Health Service (NHS) while studying in the UK.
The IHS costs £776 per year of your intended stay in the UK. If your stay includes a part of a year (between 1 and 6 months), you will be charged £388 for that period. The IHS must be paid as part of your student visa application.
Students applying for a visa longer than 6 months in duration must pay the IHS. Students from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland may be eligible for an IHS reimbursement but will need to use their EHIC for medically necessary treatment.
The IHS covers emergency healthcare and hospital treatment during your stay in the UK. However, it does not cover all services. You will still need to pay for prescriptions, dental treatments, eye tests, and assisted conception.
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