Introduction

Recently, the UK government has formally implemented a new policy of refunding the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees for visa applicants who are no longer able to travel to the UK due to Covid-19. This policy comes as a relief to many who may have been struggling financially due to the pandemic and its effects on travel. In this article, we will delve into the details of the IHS fees refund policy and what it means for visa applicants.

What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee paid by non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who apply for a visa to stay in the UK for more than 6 months. The fee is paid in addition to the visa application fee and is intended to give visa holders access to the National Health Service (NHS) during their stay in the UK.

What are the IHS refund rules?

The new IHS refund rules state that applicants who were unable to travel to the UK due to Covid-19 between 31 January 2020 and 31 July 2020, and who did not use the visa they applied for, can apply for a full refund of their IHS fee. This policy also applies to those whose visa applications were refused for any reason related to Covid-19 during this period.

Furthermore, those who have already been granted a refund for the visa application fee due to Covid-19 can also apply for a refund of their IHS fee. The refund application must be made within 1 year of the date the visa application was made.

How to apply for an IHS fee refund?

Applicants who meet the refund eligibility criteria can apply for a refund through the UK government’s online application system.

If the refund application is successful, the money will be refunded back to the account used to pay the IHS fee. The refund process may take up to six weeks.

Conclusion

The new IHS refund rules provide some much-needed relief for visa applicants who have been unable to travel to the UK due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The application process is simple and straightforward, and the refund should arrive within a reasonable timeframe.

It is important to note that the IHS fee is still required for those who are able to travel to the UK and who require a visa for a stay of longer than 6 months. However, for those who are unable to travel due to Covid-19, this new policy is a welcome development and a sign of the UK government’s commitment to supporting migrants during difficult times.