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IHS is a fee that every applicant pays when applying for a UK-dependent visa. It helps to access the UK National Health Service (NHS) till the validity of the UK. The IHS fee applies for several visas, including work, student, family, and dependent visas.
It is important to note that the IHS fee is a mandatory part of applying for any visa. The amount of the IHS fee, which varies based on the visa duration, is a significant consideration. For instance, in 2024, the recent IHS fee for dependent visas is up to £1,035 for adult dependents, and for a UK student visa and child dependents, it’s £776 annually per applicant.
The immigration health surcharge is the required fee for various visas that was instituted in 2015. Ensure that free health services are provided to immigrants coming to the UK to stay. The IHS fee is paid with the application fee while submitting the application form. The charge for IHS is calculated annually or paid for the total duration of stay at the time of applying.
After that, when you enter the UK, you will be eligible for various healthcare services, excluding prescriptions, eye care, and dental treatment. However, there is no waiver for IHS, and whether you want to use the NHS service or not is compulsory. The detailed discussion below about dependent visas and IHS fees is given.
Read More: Pay For IHS
Who Is Permitted To Pay IHS Fee For UK Dependent Visa?
For applicants planning to come to the UK for more than six months, IHS is mandatory for them. The IHS is necessary for applicants already present in the UK and those from outside the UK. Despite dependent visa applicants, other visa holders will also pay IHS, including youth mobility scheme, skilled worker, students, spouse, and other family visas.
Read More:Student Visa
However, the applicants holding settlement visas, applying for EU status, asylum seekers, and healthcare and care worker visas are not permitted to pay IHS fees. Whether an applicant is applying for an extension, converting to a new visa, or coming from outside the UK, each applicant will pay IHS. Plus, applicants who are applying from inside the UK will follow the same rules.
IHS Fee For UK Dependent Visa In 2024
Before 2023, the IHS fee for dependent visas was £624, but then policies changed, and it rose to £1,035 from 6 Feb 2024. A detailed breakdown of the IHS fee for UK-dependent visas is given below:
For adults:
- The IHS per year is £1,035.
- The IHS fee for two years is £2,070.
- The IHS fee for two years and six months is £2,587.50.
- The IHS fee for two years and nine months is £3,105.
- The IHS fee for three years is £3,105.
- The IHS fee for five years is £5,175.
For kids:
- The IHS per year is £776.
- The IHS fee for two years is £1,552.
- The IHS fee for two years and six months is £1,940.
- The IHS fee for two years and nine months is £2,328.
- The IHS fee for three years is £2,328.
- The IHS fee for five years is £3,880.
| Type Of IHS Fee For Adults | Cost |
| Annual Fee | £1,035 |
| Two Years | £2,070 |
| 2 years and 6 months | £2,587.50 |
| 2 years and 9 months | £3,105 |
| 3 years | £3,105 |
| 5 years | £5,175 |
| Type Of IHS Fee For Under 18 | Cost |
| Annual Fee | £776 |
| Two Years | £1,552 |
| 2 years and 6 months | £1,940 |
| 2 years and 9 months | £2,328 |
| 3 years | £2,328 |
| 5 years | £3,880 |
How And When To Pay IHS Fee?
The application fee and IHS fee are paid when submitting the application form. After spending the fee for evidence, applicants upload the paid receipt with other documents. The online system pays the IHS, and a Visa debit card pays it.
After paying the fee, the applicants will get a reference number to add to their application form. The application form will only be processed if the IHS efference number is present. So, checking all the details is crucial to verify that you have provided all supporting documents and essential information.
Exemptions And Waiver
Some exemptions and waivers for IHS fees are as follows:
- Armed Forces Personnel And Diplomats:
Members of the armed forces and diplomats are exempt.
- ILR Applicants:
Applicants applying for ILR to get permanent residence in the UK are exempt from IHS.
- Local Authority Care:
Kids that are under local care authority are waived from the IHS fee.
- Victims Of Domestic Violence:
Applicants who apply under the victim of domestic violence, if their application is acceptable, will not pay the IHS fee.
Read More: Indefinite Leave To Remain
Conclusion
To summarize, the IHs fee for a UK-dependent visa is crucial to achieving this visa. It ensures that dependent visa immigrants can access public health services during their stay by paying this fee. The IHS fee covers various medical services, including GP, hospital, maternity, emergency, and mental health services. These free services offer peace of mind to the applicants as they can treat their minor to severe illnesses for free. However, planning financial stability is crucial because the IHS fee and other visa fees and costs make it expensive. Understanding how to calculate IHS fees is necessary for the applicants to make their budgets accordingly. Plus, meet this visa’s eligibility criteria and requirements to get the grant and enter the UK.
(FAQs)
Do all dependents have to pay IHS?
Yes, most dependents who apply for UK immigration visas pay IHS. Paying this fee helps the dependents to access public health services. Typically, dependents are the family members, including the kids and spouse of the principal applicant. When they apply for the UK to join their loved ones, they will pay the application and IHS fees.
What healthcare services are covered under the IHS fee for a UK-dependent visa?
IHS covers a range of health care services that include:
- GP service:
Dependants can register with a GP to receive consultations, check-ups, and treatment for minor diseases.
- Hospital Treatment:
In this, surgeries, emergency treatments, and specialist consultations are covered.
- Maternity Services:
Pregnant dependents can avail of maternity care services, including postnatal, antenatal, and delivery.
- Mental Health Services:
Dependent applicants can access counseling and therapy treatment.
- Family planning services
- Emergency services
- Prescription medication
Read More: Healthcare visa
Is the IHS fee for a UK-dependent visa refundable?
The IHS is not refundable even if an applicant faces rejection or refusal. But under the following situations, it might be possible:
- A refund is possible if applicants are not eligible for the visa but still pay the fee and later learn about it.
- Individuals who pay an extra amount than required can claim a refund.
- You can get a refund if applicants apply but withdraw their application before processing.
- If applicants are granted a visa with a validity of less than six months, then IHS is not required. Paying IHS, in this case, can be refundable.
How can the IHS fee for a UK-dependent visa be calculated?
The IHS can be calculated based on the duration of the visa, and you must know how much the fee is for adults and kids.
Use this formulae: The IHS annual fee for adults is £1,035. For two years, multiply it by two. For kids, the IHS fee is £776. To calculate the total amount, multiply this fee with the years of your visa grant.
What is the IHS fee for a UK student visa?
The IHS fee for a student visa in the UK is typically equal to a dependent visa, which is as follows:
| Type of IHS Fee | Cost |
| Annual IHS fee for adults | £1,035 |
| The IHS fee for adults for two years | £2,070 |
| The IHS fee for adults for three years | £3,105 |
| The IHS fee for adults for five years | £5,175 |
| Annual IHS fee for kids | £776 |
| The IHS fee for kids for two years | £1,552 |
| The IHS fee for kids for three years | £2,328 |
| The IHS fee for kids for five years | £3,880 |
Reference Links
Pay For UK Healthcare
Student Visa Fee
IHS Fee