Immigration Corner | Do I need to pay a healthcare surcharge?

Dear Mr. Bassie,

Please advise under what circumstances I would need to pay a healthcare surcharge when making a United Kingdom immigration application.

V.D.

Dear V.D.,

Persons may need to pay a healthcare surcharge, which is called the ‘immigration health surcharge’ or IHS as part of the immigration application, depending on the immigration status for which they are applying.

When to pay

If persons are making an immigration application online, they will pay the surcharge as part of the application or when they book their appointment.

If applying by post, they pay the surcharge online before sending the application as they will need to include the IHS reference number on their application form.

Persons can start using the National Health Service (NHS) when they have both paid the healthcare surcharge (or are exempt from paying it) and the visa or immigration application is granted.

Please note that they will still need to pay for certain types of services such as; prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests and assisted conception.

When those persons access healthcare in the United Kingdom (UK), they may need to provide their biometric residence permit, if they have one. They will also need to prove their status online using a share code if they have a digital immigration status.

Who needs to pay

Persons will usually need to pay the healthcare surcharge; if they are applying for a visa or immigration application for more than six months, if they are applying outside the UK; or for any length of time if they are applying inside the UK.

It should be noted that persons do not need to pay if they are applying for a visitor’s visa or to remain in the UK permanently. However, they will still need to pay even if they have private medical insurance.

Who will only need an IHS reference number

Persons will still need to use the payment service to get an immigration health surcharge (IHS) reference number but they will not need to pay if:

• They are a child under 18 years old who has been taken into care by a local authority; or

• They are a relevant civilian employee at NATO or the Australian Department of Defence in the UK (or they are their dependent).

The service will advise persons that they do not have to pay anything and will provide a healthcare surcharge reference number for the application. Those persons will be able to use the National Health Service (NHS) even if they are exempt from paying.

Please note that persons do not need to pay the surcharge or get an IHS reference number if they are applying for a visitor’s visa or a visa for six months or less from outside the UK. Those persons will need to pay for any NHS care they get at the point they use it - unless it is a service that is free.

I hope this helps.

John S. Bassie

John S. Bassie is a barrister/attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Court appointed mediator, a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, a chartered arbitrator, the past global president of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (U.K.). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com