Immigration health surcharge

The immigration health surcharge is an upfront payment for most visas longer than six months. Paying the wrong amount can make the application invalid.

This page is general information about UK immigration routes. It is not advice on your case. Rules and fees change. Confirm the current position before you pay a Home Office fee.

What it is

The surcharge was introduced under section 38 of the Immigration Act 2014 and has applied since April 2015. It is how temporary migrants contribute to NHS care. It is not an optional extra.

Paying the correct amount is a validity requirement. If the payment is wrong, the application may not be treated as valid at all, which can also affect section 3C leave if you were relying on an in-time application.

How the sum is built

The adult rate discussed in current public material is £1,035 for each year. Students and children have a lower published rate. The charge is calculated in six-month blocks and rounded up. It is paid in full before the application proceeds. There is no instalment plan.

A five-year work visa for a family can therefore cost more in surcharge than in application fees. Exemptions exist, including some health and care roles, but they are narrow. Do not assume a job title is enough. Check the exemption list for your code.

What the payment does and does not buy

It gives access to NHS care on broadly the same basis as a resident, not a private health policy. If the visa is refused, the surcharge is normally refunded. The visa application fee usually is not.

Confirm the figure or rule on GOV.UK before you pay. Our professional fee, where you instruct us, is separate. See our fee schedule.