Those who are considering moving to the UK under the self-sponsorship category must know all the costs involved. One of the most important parts of that cost would be the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which contributes to the overall cost of securing the visa. Generally, this surcharge is mandatory for those looking at UK visas for over six months, meaning the NHS will be available to them right after the visa is granted.
This surcharge contributes to NHS costs, so it would be assumed UK legal permanent residents would have access to most of those services. However, the surcharge would be applicable to all the detailed issues of its computation and mode of payment and whether any exemptions or refunds exist for those intending to travel to relocate using the Self-Sponsorship visa UK.
What IHS Is
This is a levy of contributions to the National Health Service, which is basically a publicly funded healthcare system of the UK. This charge is designed to cover access to the health costs that these persons might incur through the different services. From the perspective of paying the IHS, most of the public NHS services are deemed free at the point of service delivery to visa holders, and are provided in kind to the majority of permanent residents in the UK as part of NHS membership. This would include consultations with GPs, hospital treatments, and accident and emergency care.
However, it is worthwhile to mention that some of the services that incur charges include: prescriptions in England, dental care, and eye tests, as well as all permanent residents and citizens of the UK. The basic purpose of the IHS, which is one of the primary conditions, is to maintain the sustainability of the NHS in meeting the health needs of the settlement population.
Who Pays the IHS?
In short, all those individuals applying for any UK visa, be it a work or study visa or a family join visa for over six months, should pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, which includes the principal applicant as well as dependants. It is, of course, not only required for applications made outside the UK (entry clearance) but also inside the UK (leave to remain) when an individual applies.
Some of the more common persons who, in general, should pay the IHS fee are as follows:
- Main applicants applying for more than six months’ visas (e.g. Skilled Worker visa, under which self-sponsorship visa requirements actually fall).
- Dependent spouses and children of such main applicants on such visas.
- An extension for immigrants who would apply to extend their stay from within the UK for any length of time, except for those who applies for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
For the self-sponsored visa, generally given for periods longer than six months and with the possibility of being settled at some point, the IHS would thus be compulsory for the self-sponsored individual and accompanying family members. Each applicant must have his/her share paid regardless of age, with specific amounts applicable for children and students.
Cost and Calculation of the IHS
Currently, the standard cost of the Immigration Health Surcharge for one year is £1,035 for each person. However, a lower £776 annual fee would apply to an applicant under 18 at the time of application, a full-time student, or a person making a Youth Mobility application. Total payables depend on the entire length of time the visa is granted.
The calculation is as follows:
Full Year: During a visa period where any part of a year is more than six months, the individual has to pay for the full year.
Half Year: If the visa period includes a part of a year that is six months or less, half of the annual amount (e.g., £517.50 for an adult) will be payable for that specific partial year.
For instance, an individual self-sponsorship visa allocated for three years would incur an IHS of £3,105 for one applicant adult (£1,035 x3 years), while for a family of four (two adults, two children), applying for a three-year visa at the cost of £3,105 per adult, would mean that the total IHS would amount to £2,328 for each child (£776 x 3 years), thereby summing up to a whopping £10,866.
Payment Process for IHS
Just as it involves applying for a visa, paying the Immigration Health Surcharge has to go hand-in-hand with that. Such applicants pay the whole IHS amount by debit or credit card to be able to submit a visa or immigration application. It does not allow such separate payment or a later effect since payment of the surcharge must be made before submission of the visa application. During an online application, you will be prompted to calculate and pay the IHS based on the length of your requested visa. You will also receive an Immigration Health Surcharge reference number upon successful payment. This reference number is very important and should be put aside as proof of payment, which you will need when filling out the final visa application form.
With this system in place all payments must be made just before the Home Office clears the application, so it does away with delays arising from late payments.
Exemptions from IHS Payment
It is generally required that applicants for the IHS must apply, while certain applicant categories will not require an IHS. The most relevant exception under the Skilled Worker route to which this self-sponsorship visa applies is that of the Health and Care Worker visa. This particular sub-category of the Skilled Worker visa is intended for qualified physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, and other specialists in health or social care. Therefore, applicants in this route, as well as their immediate family dependents, are completely exempt from the IHS. To fall within this category of exemption, the person must hold a job offer in the health or social care sector, proven via their Certificate of Sponsorship, while applying for a Health and Care Worker visa within the Skilled Worker route.
Get professional legal assistance
The Immigration Health Surcharge is thus an essential financial aspect for anyone acquiring a self-sponsorship visa. Considering the costs which may be quite high, especially for families, understanding how the fee paid is calculated, its method of payment, and whether exemptions are possible, or potentially refundable amounts guides applicants to budget appropriately and maneuver smoothly through this significant obstacle in their immigration journey. For individual advice and a complete service on all aspects of your Self-Sponsorship visa UK application, including understanding and dealing with the IHS, A Y & J Solicitors offers expert guidance for a smooth transition with all the Self-Sponsorship visa requirements.
A Y & J Solicitors is a specialist immigration law firm with extensive experience in assisting with self-sponsorship visa requirements. We have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and are professional and results-focused. For assistance with your visa application or any other UK immigration law concerns, please contact us at +44 20 7404 7933. We’re here to help!
