28th June 2015

As of 6 April 2015 the Government has introduced many changes to Applications for leave to remain in the United Kingdom. The following change affects all points based system applications and limited leave to remain applications.

When the IHS is payable:

When applying from WITHIN the United Kingdom you will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge when applying on or after 6 April 2015, if:

1. You are a national of a country which is not within the EEA
2. You are making an application to remain in the United Kingdom for a limited period, including and application for leave to remain in the United Kingdom for a period of 6 months or less

When applying from OUTSIDE the United Kingdom you will need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge when applying on or after 6^th April 2015, if:

1. You are a national of a country which is not within the EEA
2. You are applying for a visa for a period of more than 6 months to either:

• Work
• Study
• Join your family in the United Kingdom

When the IHS is not payable:

An IHS payment does not need to be made if you fall under any one of the following categories:

1. If you are applying for a visitor visa
2. If you are applying for a visa from outside the United Kingdom) for a period of up to 6 months or less
3. If you are applying for indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom
4. If you are a diplomat or a member of a visiting armed forces and not subject to immigration control
5. If you are a family member of a European national
6. If you are applying for a visa for the Isle of Man or Channel Islands
7. If you are a British Overseas Territory citizen resident in the Falkland Islands
8. If you are an asylum seeker or applying for humanitarian protection (or you are their dependant)
9. If you have been identified as a victim of human trafficking (or you are their dependant)
10. If the Home Office’s domestic violence concession applies to you (or you’re their dependant)If forcing you to leave the United Kingdom would be against your rights under Article 3 of
    the European Convention of Human Rights (or you are their dependant)
11. If you have booked a visa premium service centre appointment before 6 April 2015

How much IHS are you liable to pay?

• £150.00 per year as a student, per applicant
• £200.00 per year for all other visa and immigration applications, per applicant

Please note that if you have dependant(s), they will usually need to pay the same amount as you.

Please visit the following website to calculate how much IHS you will need to pay per applicant: https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay

When does the IHS need to be paid?

Your IHS will need to be paid online before your visa and immigration application is made, payment should be made online by registering your account on the following website: https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/pay

If for any reason you are unable to pay the IHS before your visa and immigration application is made, you must make a payment:

• Within 10 working days if you are making a visa and immigration application from within the United Kingdom
• Within 7 working days if you are making a visa and immigration application from outside the United Kingdom

If you are liable to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge and the payment is not made in accordance with the Governments guidance, your application may be rejected as invalid.

For more information on whether you are liable to pay an Immigration Healthcare Surcharge, how much you are liable to pay and general enquiries on the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge, please contact us on 0203 475 4321 or click on the quick contact link above.