The immigration health surcharge is a fee most visa applicants pay so they can use the National Health Service during their stay in the UK. It is charged per person for each year of leave and is paid alongside the visa application.
In one line: The immigration health surcharge is an upfront NHS access fee paid per person for each year of a UK visa.
How the immigration health surcharge works
The surcharge is set by the Home Office and paid in full when applying. The standard rate is 1,035 GBP per person per year, with a reduced rate of 776 GBP per year for students, under-18s and Youth Mobility Scheme applicants (Home Office, 2026).
The amount scales with visa length. For example, a Skilled Worker applying for a three-year visa in 2026 pays 3,105 GBP, being 1,035 GBP multiplied by three, on top of the visa fee itself.
Once paid, the holder can use the NHS broadly like a UK resident. Some routes, including many Health and Care Worker applicants, are exempt, and refunds can apply where the visa is refused or withdrawn.
The surcharge in practice
The surcharge is separate from the visa application fee and from any NHS prescription or dental charges, which are still payable at the usual rates after arrival.
It is paid upfront for the whole period of leave rather than as an annual bill, so a longer visa means a larger single payment at the application stage.
Primary source: Home Office: Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application (GOV.UK)