- The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is 1,035 pounds per year per adult in 2026, raised from 624 pounds in 2024.
- It must be paid upfront for the full visa period before the application is submitted.
- Students and Tier 5 Youth Mobility applicants pay a reduced rate of 776 pounds per year.
- Exempt groups include NHS and social care workers, their dependants, and applicants from countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements.
- If a visa is refused, the full IHS payment is refunded automatically; no manual claim needed.
Last reviewed: 13 May 2026
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory upfront payment that most non-EEA nationals must make when applying for a UK visa of more than six months. It grants the visa holder access to the National Health Service (NHS) on broadly the same terms as a UK resident for the duration of their visa, including GP appointments, hospital treatment, and A&E care.
What the IHS Is
The IHS was introduced in 2015 and has been increased several times since. It is not a health insurance policy and does not replace the need for travel insurance. It is a contribution toward NHS costs and is entirely separate from the visa application fee. Payment is made through the IHS payment portal during the online visa application process. The total amount due is calculated automatically based on the visa type and length of the visa period applied for.
Current IHS Rates in 2026
Standard adult applicants: 1,035 pounds per year (all main visa routes). Students (Student Visa): 776 pounds per year (reduced rate). Youth Mobility Scheme (Tier 5): 776 pounds per year (reduced rate). Children under 18: 1,035 pounds per year (same as adult rate unless exempt). NHS and social care workers: exempt.
The rate increased from 624 pounds per year to 1,035 pounds per year in February 2024 as part of a government funding package for the NHS. As of May 2026, no further increase has been announced, but the IHS rate is reviewed periodically. The IHS is charged per year (or part year) for the full length of the visa applied for. A part year counts as a full year for payment purposes.
Examples: a 2-year Skilled Worker Visa for one adult costs 1,035 pounds x 2 = 2,070 pounds. A 3-year Student Visa for one adult costs 776 pounds x 3 = 2,328 pounds. A 2.5-year Family Visa for two adults and one child costs 1,035 pounds x 3 years (2.5 rounded up) x 3 people = 9,315 pounds.
Who Must Pay the IHS
The IHS applies to applicants for most visa routes lasting more than 6 months. This includes the Skilled Worker Visa, Student Visa, Family Visa (spouse, partner, children, dependants), Global Talent Visa, Innovator Founder Visa, Youth Mobility Scheme (Tier 5), Graduate Visa, and Health and Care Worker Visa at standard rate (not exempt unless NHS employer confirmed). Dependants applying alongside or joining a main applicant must also pay the IHS individually. Each person included in the application has their own IHS calculation.
Who Is Exempt
NHS and social care workers: overseas nationals who have been offered a job with the NHS or a UK local authority social care employer are exempt from the IHS, as are their direct dependants. The exemption is confirmed via the Certificate of Sponsorship at the time of application. Applicants must ensure the CoS correctly codes the occupation as an NHS or social care role to trigger the exemption.
Countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements: nationals of certain countries have bilateral healthcare agreements with the UK that exempt them from the IHS. The current exemption list on GOV.UK changes periodically. Visitor visas and short-stay visas: Standard Visitor Visas (maximum 6 months) do not attract the IHS. Diplomats and certain official visitors: applicants entering under diplomatic or official channels are exempt. Asylum seekers and those with leave outside the rules: IHS does not apply.
How to Pay the IHS
The IHS is paid through the dedicated IHS payment portal, which is accessed automatically during the online visa application on GOV.UK. The portal calculates the total amount due and processes payment before the application can be submitted. Steps: complete the relevant section of the visa application form on GOV.UK; the system redirects to the IHS portal at immigrationhealthsurcharge.service.gov.uk; enter applicant details and the visa type; pay by debit card, credit card, or PayPal; an IHS reference number is generated.
The IHS reference number is mandatory. Applications submitted without a valid IHS reference number will be rejected at the initial validation stage.
IHS Refunds: When and How
Visa refused: if a visa application is refused, the IHS payment is refunded in full automatically. The refund is processed to the original payment method within 6 to 8 weeks of the refusal decision. No manual claim or form is required. Visa shorter than applied for: if the visa granted is shorter than the period applied for, the IHS for the unused period is refunded automatically. Visa withdrawn before decision: the IHS is refunded; the visa application fee is not refunded on withdrawal.
No refund scenarios: if the visa is granted and the applicant does not travel to the UK, no IHS refund is available. If the applicant departs the UK before the visa expires, no refund is available for unused time. If a visa is curtailed after entry, a partial refund may be available in some circumstances; applicants should contact UKVI directly.
Using the NHS With an IHS-Funded Visa
IHS payers are entitled to use NHS services on the same terms as UK residents. This means GP registration and appointments, hospital outpatient and inpatient treatment, A&E treatment, mental health services, and NHS prescriptions at the standard prescription charge (9.90 pounds per item as of 2026 in England; free in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). Dental treatment and optometry are not fully covered by the IHS; the same charges apply as for UK residents. IHS payers are not entitled to free prescriptions unless they qualify on income grounds or have a qualifying medical condition.
IHS and the Health and Care Worker Visa
The Health and Care Worker Visa is a sub-route of the Skilled Worker Visa specifically for medical professionals and care workers. Applicants on this route who are employed directly by the NHS or a social care employer are exempt from the IHS. However, the exemption is frequently misapplied. The key conditions: the employer must be a directly NHS-funded body or a registered social care provider; the CoS must correctly code the role as qualifying for the exemption; applicants employed by private hospitals, private GP surgeries, or non-NHS healthcare organisations do not qualify for the exemption even if their work is clinically similar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the IHS in 2026?
The standard rate is 1,035 pounds per year per person. Students and Youth Mobility Scheme applicants pay a reduced rate of 776 pounds per year. The charge is applied for the full visa period and part years count as full years.
Is the IHS refunded if a visa is refused?
Yes. The IHS is refunded in full automatically if a visa application is refused. The refund goes back to the original payment method and typically takes 6 to 8 weeks.
Do NHS workers have to pay the IHS?
NHS and social care workers offered a job by an NHS body or local authority social care employer are exempt from the IHS, as are their direct dependants. The exemption must be correctly coded in the Certificate of Sponsorship.
Do I have to pay the IHS for my children?
Yes, each dependant included in the application including children must pay the IHS individually. Children under 18 pay the same rate as adults: 1,035 pounds per year in 2026.
Can I pay the IHS in instalments?
No. The IHS must be paid in full upfront before the visa application can be submitted. There is no instalment option through the IHS portal.
How We Verified This Article
This article draws on Home Office IHS guidance on GOV.UK, the Immigration (Health Charge) Order 2015 as amended, UKVI policy updates on the NHS and social care worker exemption, and NHS charging regulations current as of May 2026.
