Government Announces Increase in Immigration Health Surcharge and Visa Fees
In a debate on public sector pay in the House of Commons on 13 July 2023, the UK Government announced massive increases in the immigration health surcharge (IHS) and immigration application fees.
The IHS is a fee that is required to be paid, unless an exemption applies, when submitting an online UK visa application form. It is a healthcare surcharge that allows migrants to use the NHS. It was confirmed by John Glen, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, that the government has decided to:
- Increase the standard rate from £624 to £1,035 per adult per year
- Increase the discounted rate for students and under 18s from £470 to £776 per person per year
Such increases were justified as being necessary to fund the pay rise for doctors in the UK.
In addition, the government stated that immigration and nationality fees are also set to be increased. Work and visit visas will rise by 15% while student visas, certificates of sponsorships, settlement, citizenship, entry clearance and leave to remain applications are set to be increased by “at least 20%”.
Mr. Glen further confirmed:
“We are also equalising costs for students and those using a priority service, so that people pay the same whether they apply from within the UK or from outside the UK. That will help to cover more of the cost of the migration and border system, allowing the Home Secretary to divert more funding to police forces to help fund the pay rise for the police.”
Currently no information has been provided as to when these increases will come into effect.
Hanna Barzinji 21/07/2023