Calculate Immigration Health Surcharge

The immigration health surcharge is a fee that visa applicants must pay to cover the cost of the UK's National Health Service (NHS). This surcharge applies to certain visa categories and is calculated based on your income and family size.

What is Immigration Health Surcharge?

The immigration health surcharge is a mandatory payment required for most skilled worker visas in the UK. It helps fund the NHS and ensures that visa applicants can access healthcare services while living in the UK.

This surcharge is not a tax and is not refundable. Once paid, it cannot be recovered even if you leave the UK or your visa is refused.

Note: The immigration health surcharge is separate from the immigration health surcharge refund, which is available to certain visa applicants who meet specific criteria.

How to Calculate the Immigration Health Surcharge

To calculate the immigration health surcharge, you need to know your annual income and the number of people in your family who will be covered by the NHS. The surcharge is calculated based on your income band and family size.

The UK government provides a table that shows the income bands and corresponding surcharge amounts. You can use this table to determine the correct amount to pay.

Formula

The immigration health surcharge is calculated using the following formula:

Surcharge Amount = (Income Band × Family Size) - 1000

Where:

Income Band is the amount corresponding to your annual income from the UK government's income bands table.
Family Size is the number of people in your family who will be covered by the NHS.

The minimum surcharge amount is £1,000, regardless of your income or family size.

Example Calculation

Let's say you have an annual income of £30,000 and you are applying for a visa for yourself and your spouse. Here's how you would calculate the immigration health surcharge:

Determine your income band: £30,000 falls into the £26,000-£30,000 income band, which corresponds to £1,000.
Determine your family size: You and your spouse, so the family size is 2.
Calculate the surcharge amount: (£1,000 × 2) - £1,000 = £1,000.

In this example, the immigration health surcharge would be £1,000.

FAQ

Who needs to pay the immigration health surcharge?: Most skilled worker visa applicants need to pay the immigration health surcharge. The surcharge is not required for certain visa categories, such as student visas.
Is the immigration health surcharge refundable?: No, the immigration health surcharge is not refundable. Once paid, it cannot be recovered even if you leave the UK or your visa is refused.
How do I pay the immigration health surcharge?: You can pay the immigration health surcharge online through the UK government's visa application service. The payment is made in addition to the visa application fee.
Can I get a refund of the immigration health surcharge?: Yes, certain visa applicants may be eligible for a refund of the immigration health surcharge. You can apply for a refund through the UK government's visa application service.
What happens if I don't pay the immigration health surcharge?: If you don't pay the immigration health surcharge, your visa application may be refused. The surcharge is a mandatory payment for most skilled worker visas.