Introduction

The UK has been a well-known destination for international students and professionals, attracting a large number of applicants every year. However, one of the major concerns for the applicants is the visa application process which can be a daunting and complex task. One of the significant elements of this process is the UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) system, which has undergone several updates in recent years.

What is the UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)?

The UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee that is paid by non-EEA (European Economic Area) nationals who come to study, work or live in the UK for more than six months. The fee is paid at the time of the visa application and enables an individual to receive healthcare coverage from the UK's National Health Service (NHS). This essentially means that the person can access medical care and treatment from the NHS without the need for private insurance coverage.

Updates to the IHS system

The UK government has updated the IHS system several times since its introduction in 2015. Initially, the cost of the IHS was ￡200 per year, but in January 2019, the government increased the fee to ￡400 per year. The recent update to the system came in October 2020, when the government announced that the IHS system would no longer apply to healthcare professionals.

This move was an acknowledgment of the significant contribution that healthcare professionals make to the UK's healthcare system, particularly in the current climate of the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK government has also announced that the IHS will be refunded to healthcare professionals who have paid the fee since its introduction in 2015.

How to pay the IHS fee

The IHS fee can be paid online at the time of the visa application. Applicants will need to provide their personal and immigration details along with their payment information. The IHS payment is linked to the individual's visa application and is non-refundable, whether or not the application is approved.

The payment process is relatively straightforward and can be completed on the government's online portal. Applicants will need to enter their details, including their passport number and visa category, before being directed to the payment page.

Conclusion

The UK Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) system is an important part of the UK visa application process. The recent updates to the system have been aimed at making the process fairer and ensuring that essential workers, such as healthcare professionals, are not unfairly burdened by the fee. While the IHS fee can add to the overall cost of the visa application process, it is essential to remember that it provides access to medical care and treatment through the National Health Service.