UK Visa Fees for IHS and Application

Applying for a visa to the United Kingdom can be a daunting process, especially when it comes to understanding the fees involved. Two of the major costs associated with a UK visa application are the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) and the visa application fee itself. In this article, we will discuss these fees and provide useful information to help you navigate the application process.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) was introduced in 2015 and is a mandatory fee that must be paid by most non-European Union (EU) citizens applying for a visa to come to the UK for more than six months. The IHS allows the visa holder to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) during their stay in the country.

The cost of the IHS is currently ￡624 per year for adults and ￡470 per year for students and those under the age of 18. This fee is payable at the time of application and is in addition to the visa application fee. For example, if you are applying for a Tier 2 (General) visa for a three-year period, you will need to pay a total of ￡1,872 for the IHS.

It is important to note that some visa categories are exempt from paying the IHS. These include visitors, those applying for a visa for six months or less, and those who have already paid the IHS in a previous application. If you are unsure whether you need to pay the IHS, you can check the UK government website or speak to a visa specialist.

Visa Application Fees

In addition to the IHS, you will also need to pay a visa application fee when applying for a UK visa. The cost of the visa application fee depends on the type of visa you are applying for and the duration of your stay in the UK. The fees are usually updated every April, so it is important to check the latest fees before submitting your application.

As an example, here are the current visa application fees (as of April 2021) for some popular visa categories:

Standard Visitor Visa: ￡95 for a six-month visa, ￡361 for a two-year visa, and ￡636 for a five-year visa

Tier 2 (General) Visa: ￡704 for a three-year visa, ￡1,408 for a five-year visa, and ￡2,248 for a ten-year visa

Tier 4 (Student) Visa: ￡348 for a six-month visa, ￡475 for an 11-month visa, and ￡928 for a three-year visa

It is important to note that the visa application fee is non-refundable, even if your application is unsuccessful. Additionally, if you make a mistake on your application and need to make changes, you may need to pay the fee again.

Conclusion

Applying for a UK visa can be a complex and somewhat expensive process. However, understanding the fees involved – including the Immigration Health Surcharge and visa application fee – can help you plan ahead and ensure that you have enough funds to cover the costs. Remember to check the latest fees before submitting your application and seek advice from a qualified visa specialist if you need further guidance.