How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge in 2026?

The standard IHS rate is £1,035 per year in 2026. Students and Youth Mobility Scheme applicants pay a reduced rate of £776 per year. The surcharge must be paid upfront for the full duration of your visa.

Who has to pay the IHS?

Most visa applicants who are applying for a visa lasting more than 6 months must pay the IHS. This includes Skilled Worker, Spouse, Student, and most other visa categories. Visitors and some diplomatic applicants are exempt.

Can I get a refund of the IHS?

Yes. You can get a refund if your visa application is refused, if your visa is curtailed, or if you leave the UK before your visa expires. Refund requests are made through GOV.UK and typically take 6-8 weeks to process.

Do I have to pay the IHS if I already have private health insurance?

Yes. The IHS is mandatory regardless of whether you have private health insurance. Having private insurance does not exempt you from paying the surcharge.

Does the IHS give me full NHS access?

Yes. Paying the IHS gives you access to the NHS on the same basis as a permanent resident. This includes GP appointments, hospital treatment, and most NHS services. Some services like dental care and prescriptions may still have separate charges.

Do I pay the IHS for dependants?

Yes. Each dependant included on your visa application must pay their own IHS. For a family of four applying for a 3-year visa, the total IHS alone would be over £12,000.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) Explained

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee that gives visa holders access to the NHS. In 2026, it costs £1,035 per year for most applicants. It must be paid upfront for the full duration of your visa, which can add thousands of pounds to your application cost. This guide explains everything you need to know.

What Is the Immigration Health Surcharge?

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee that visa applicants must pay to access the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. It was introduced in 2015 and has increased significantly since then.

The surcharge is separate from the visa application fee. You pay it when you submit your visa application, and it covers the entire duration of your visa. If your visa is for 3 years, you pay 3 years of IHS upfront.

The IHS applies to most visa routes, including Skilled Worker visas, Spouse Visas, Student visas, and most other categories that last more than 6 months.

IHS Rates in 2026

There are two IHS rates:

Standard rate: £1,035 per year. This applies to most visa categories, including Skilled Worker, Spouse, and other work and family visas.
Reduced rate: £776 per year. This applies to Student visa holders and Youth Mobility Scheme participants.

The IHS is calculated based on the length of your visa. For a visa of 33 months (such as an initial Spouse Visa), you pay for 2.5 years at the applicable rate. The Home Office rounds up to the nearest 6-month period.

Example Calculations

Spouse Visa (33 months): £1,035 x 2.5 = £2,587.50
Skilled Worker (3 years): £1,035 x 3 = £3,105
Skilled Worker (5 years): £1,035 x 5 = £5,175
Student visa (3 years): £776 x 3 = £2,328

Who Is Exempt from the IHS?

Most visa applicants must pay the IHS. However, some groups are exempt:

Visitors: The Standard Visitor visa does not require IHS payment. Visitors should have travel insurance instead.
Diplomats and their dependants: Those with diplomatic immunity.
Applicants from certain countries: Nationals of countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements with the UK may be exempt in some cases.
Asylum seekers: People claiming asylum are exempt from the IHS.
ILR holders: Once you have ILR, you no longer pay the IHS.

Having private health insurance does not exempt you. The IHS is mandatory even if you have comprehensive private cover.

How to Pay the IHS

The IHS is paid online as part of the visa application process. After you submit your visa application form, you will be directed to the IHS payment page. You must pay before your application can be processed.

You pay by debit or credit card. The payment is made to the Home Office through a secure online system. You will receive a reference number that links your IHS payment to your visa application.

Each person on the application must pay separately. If you are applying with dependants (such as a spouse and children), each dependant must pay their own IHS for the full visa duration.

IHS for Dependants

Each dependant included on your visa application must pay their own IHS. There is no family discount. For a family of four applying for a 3-year visa at the standard rate:

4 x £1,035 x 3 = £12,420 in IHS alone.

This is a significant expense on top of the visa application fees. Make sure you budget for dependants' IHS when planning your application. For the full picture of family visa costs, see our hidden costs of immigration guide.

IHS Refunds

You can claim a refund of the IHS in certain situations:

Visa refused: If your visa application is refused, you can claim a full refund of the IHS.
Leave the UK early: If you leave the UK before your visa expires, you can claim a refund for the unused portion.
Visa curtailed: If the Home Office curtails (shortens) your visa, you can claim a refund for the remaining period.
Granted ILR: If you are granted ILR before your visa expires, you can claim a refund for the remaining period of IHS you have already paid.

To claim a refund, use the IHS refund form on GOV.UK. Refunds typically take 6-8 weeks to process.

What the IHS Covers

Paying the IHS gives you access to the NHS on the same basis as a permanent UK resident. This includes:

GP (doctor) appointments.
Hospital treatment, including emergency care and surgery.
Maternity services.
Mental health services.

Some NHS services still have separate charges even for UK residents, including:

Dental treatment (though some is free).
Eye tests and glasses.
Prescription charges (currently £9.90 per item in England; free in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland).

History of the IHS

The IHS has increased substantially since it was introduced:

2015: Introduced at £200 per year.
2018: Doubled to £400 per year.
2020: Increased to £624 per year.
2024: Increased to £1,035 per year.

The 2024 increase was the largest single rise in the history of the IHS. It made UK visas significantly more expensive, particularly for longer-duration visas. For a complete view of all visa costs, see our UK visa fees guide.

Planning for the IHS

The IHS is often the single largest cost of a visa application, exceeding even the application fee itself. When budgeting for your UK visa:

Calculate the IHS for the full visa duration, including dependants.
Remember it must be paid upfront before your application is processed.
Factor it into your financial requirement calculations if applying for a family visa.
Consider an immigration solicitor if the costs and rules seem overwhelming.