Friday 27 October 2023

Following an announcement on Thursday 13 July that the Government would increase immigration and nationality application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), the Government has now confirmed that the IHS will rise on or slightly after Tuesday 16 January 2024. The exact date shall depend on the finalised day by which the relevant regulatory amendment, The Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2023, is laid before Parliament.

IHS fees will increase as follows per year of immigration permission at the point of application:

• from £624 per year to £1,035 per year – for most applicants; and
• from £470 per year to £776 per year – for students and their dependants, Youth Mobility Scheme applicants and children.

As a reminder, applicants are generally required to pay the healthcare surcharge if they are applying for immigration permission in the UK. Applicants must pay the IHS even if they hold private medical insurance. The IHS applies as follows:

• if applying from outside the UK – for immigration permission longer than six months; and
• if applying from inside the UK – for immigration permission for any length of time.

Some migrants, such as those applying for indefinite leave to remain, eligible migrants to the Health and Care Worker route or to the EU Settlement Scheme are exempt from paying the IHS.

Get in touch

To learn more about forthcoming changes to UK immigration law, see our website, contact your assigned LDI lawyer or email enquiries@lauradevine.com.