Delayed Increase In Immigration Health Surcharge

The Immigration Health Surcharge (“IHS”) is a fee levied on the majority of UK visa applications. You are required to make this payment as part of your application or when you book an appointment.

The IHS was meant to increase from  £400.00 to £624.00 per year, effective from 1 October 2020.

However, the original draft order has now been replaced by a new draft order which states that the increase will be effective 21 days after the order takes legal effect. The new draft order has not yet been made, therefore, the increase will certainly not take place on 1 October 2020.

The amended draft order provides an exemption from the IHS for Health and Care Visa applicants. Students, dependants of students, Youth Mobility Visa holders, and anyone under 18 will be eligible to pay a reduced IHS fee of £470.00.

Who has to pay the IHS and who is exempt?

The surcharge must be paid by most applicants and their dependants seeking leave to enter or leave to remain in the UK.

Certain categories of applicants are exempt from paying the IHS, however, including the following:

• visitor visa or a short term visa holders valid for 6 months or less;
• those applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain;
• diplomats or a member of visiting armed forces and not subject to immigration control;
• dependants of a member of the UK armed forces or of an EEA national; or
• asylum seekers or those applying for humanitarian protection.

If you have any questions in relation to IHS or your visa application please contact Svetlova LLP on +44 (0)207 129 129 6.