Immigration Health Surcharge set to double
As predicted eight months ago, the Immigration Minister announced today that the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will be increased from £200 to £400.
The IHS is a fee paid by non-EU nationals on a work, study or family visa for longer than six months. This entitles them to access the NHS in the same way as UK citizens.
It is estimated that the NHS spends £470 on average per person each year on treating those who are required to pay the surcharge. This compulsory fee is in addition to any taxes they may pay during their residence here, or any private medical insurance provision that they may have.
Since its introduction in 2015, the IHS has raised over £600 million, which the Department of Health and Social Care in England and the equivalent health ministries in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland say is re-invested into their budgets.
Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said:
‘The NHS is a national, not international health service, and we believe it is right long-term migrants make a fair contribution to its sustainability.
‘It is only fair that people who come to the UK make a contribution to the running of the NHS, and even with the increase we still continue to offer a good deal on healthcare for those seeking to live in the UK temporarily.’
The increase is set to come into effect in December 2018, subject to Parliamentary approval.
