Applying for UK Visa- Additional Health surcharge required

From the 6th April 2015, with few exemptions, most persons applying for a visa of 6 months or more  will be required to pay an additional surcharge called an IMMIGRATION HEALTH SURCHARGE.


The health surcharge will be paid by non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who apply to come to the UK to work, study or join family for a period of more than 6 months.

It will also be paid by non-EEA nationals who are already in the UK and apply to extend their stay after 6 April 2015.

THE COST

• £150 per year for students
• £200 per year for all other temporary visa and immigration applications made overseas and in the UK. 

Dependents will generally pay the same amount as the main applicant.

Those who have paid the surcharge or are exempt will be able to access the National Health Service (NHS) in the same way as a permanent UK resident. Payment may be required for some services such as dental treatment and eye tests.

When you make your immigration application you will be asked some questions to see if you need to pay the health surcharge or if you’re exempt.

You must pay the health surcharge before you finish your immigration application.

If the surcharge is required, but not paid, the application will be refused or treated as invalid and rejected.

If an immigration application is unsuccessful the surcharge will be refunded.

The surcharge payable will cover the entire period of permission to stay in the UK. For example, a person coming to the UK as a sponsored skilled migrant (Tier 2) will be required to pay the charge in full and upfront for the three year period

Anyone coming to the UK on a visitor visa, for example as a tourist, or as an EEA national, does not need to pay the surcharge. However they will remain directly chargeable for hospital treatment.

Regulation changes will mean that from April 2015, non EEA visitors who use the NHS will be charged 150% of the cost of any medical treatment they receive.

It is therefore recommended that this group possesses adequate travel and health insurance.