Under what circumstances does healthcare surcharge need to be obtained?
Dear Mr Bassie,
Please advise regarding under what circumstances I would need to pay for the healthcare surcharge when applying to go to the United Kingdom.
DV
Dear DV,
Persons may need to pay a healthcare surcharge, which is called the ‘immigration health surcharge’ (IHS), as part of their immigration application. Whether those persons applying will need to pay will depend on the immigration status being applied for.
If making an immigration application online, persons will pay the surcharge as part of the application or when booking an appointment. If applying by post, they will be required to pay the surcharge online before sending their application. 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 paid the healthcare surcharge (or if they are exempt from paying it) and when their visa or immigration application is granted. Please note that persons will still need to pay for certain types of services such as prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests, and assisted conception.
In addition, when accessing healthcare in the United Kingdom (UK), they may need to provide a 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 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.
• For any length of time, if they are applying inside the UK.
They do not need to pay if they are applying for a visitor’s visa or to remain in the UK permanently. Please be aware that persons will still need to pay even if they have private medical insurance.
WHO ONLY NEEDS AN IHS REFERENCE NUMBER
Persons still need to use the payment service to get an 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.
• They are a relevant civilian employee at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the Australian Department of Defense in the UK or if they are a dependent.
The service will inform the applicant that he/she does not have to pay anything and will give him/her a healthcare surcharge reference number for their application. Please note that persons will be able to use the NHS even if they are exempt from paying.
Just for completeness, 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 of the UK. However, please be aware that 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.
All the best.
John S. Bassie is a barrister/ attorney-at-law who practises law in Jamaica. He is a justice of the peace, a Supreme Courtappointed 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 (UK). Email: lawbassie@yahoo.com