- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Student visas
- What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
- Who needs to pay the IHS?
- When do I pay the IHS?
- How much is the IHS for students?
- Can I get an IHS refund?
- IHS reimbursements for EU and EFTA students
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for Student visas
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a charge that most people pay as part of their online UK visa or immigration application. Whether you need to pay depends on the immigration status you are applying for.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) gives you access to NHS healthcare in the UK from the date your visa starts, if you have paid the surcharge where required.
You still need to pay for some NHS services, including:
- prescriptions
- dental treatment
- eye tests.
You must pay the IHS if it applies to you even if you have private medical insurance.
If you have a digital immigration status, you may need to prove your immigration status using a share code when accessing healthcare in the UK.
Who needs to pay the IHS?
You will usually need to pay the IHS if you are applying:
- outside the UK for a visa lasting more than 6 months
- inside the UK for a visa of any length.
You do not need to pay the IHS if you are applying from outside the UK for a visa lasting 6 months or less, or if you are applying for a visitor visa. You may need to pay for NHS healthcare when you use it.
Check who needs to pay the IHS.
When do I pay the IHS?
You pay the IHS when you apply for your visa.
If you do not pay enough, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will email you explaining how to pay the remaining amount. You must pay within:
- 10 working days if you are inside the UK
- 7 working days if you are outside the UK.
Your application will be refused if you do not pay the full amount within this time.
How much is the IHS for students?
The current IHS rate is £776 per year for students and their dependants. The exact amount you pay depends on the length of your visa, which may be longer than your course.
For part of a year:
- if you apply inside the UK and your visa is for 6 months or less, the student rate is £388
- if your visa is for more than 6 months but less than one year, you pay the full yearly rate.
Check how much IHS you need to pay.
For more information see the Home Office website.
Can I get an IHS refund?
You will get a full refund if:
- you paid the IHS twice for the same visa application
- your visa application is refused
- you withdraw your visa application before a decision is made.
You will get a partial refund if:
- your successful visa gives you less time than you applied for
- a dependant included in your application is refused a visa
- you apply to extend or switch your visa in the UK and have paid the IHS twice for the same period.
If you are due a refund for one of these reasons, you do not need to apply for it. It will be paid to the account or card used to make the original payment.
You will not get a refund if:
- your visa application is successful but you do not come to the UK
- you leave the UK before your visa expires
- you are told to leave the UK before your visa expires
- you are applying for indefinite leave to remain
- you switch to another visa that is exempt from the IHS.
Check the full IHS refund guidance.
IHS reimbursements for EU and EFTA students
You may be able to apply for a full or partial IHS reimbursement if you:
- are a full-time student in UK higher education
- have a visa that started on or after the relevant qualifying date
- have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
- do not work and do not plan to work in the UK
Getting an IHS reimbursement affects the healthcare you can receive without charge in the UK, so read the government guidance carefully before applying.
Check if you can get an IHS reimbursement as a student