Who will be affected?
All non-EA nationals who are applying for a UK visa for longer than six months will from 6 April 2015 be subject to the UK health surcharge.
Visitors to the UK will not be subject to this surcharge. Should they need treatment from the NHS, whilst in the UK, they will only have to pay for the treatment. There is however some indications that the UK government will shortly introduce measures that will force visitors to the UK, making use of the NHS, to pay at a rate of 150% for such services. This will then supposedly also cover for the administrative costs involved, for such visitors making use of NHS services.
Citizens from Australia and New Zealand are exempt from the health surcharge, as the UK Government has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with these countries.
There are also some other exemptions including; Intra-company transfers under the Tier 2 immigration route, dependents of a member of Her Majesty’s Forces and migrants who applies under the Home Office concession known as the ‘destitute domestic violence concession’.
How much will the surcharge be?
The cost will be £150 per year for students. All other applicants will have to pay £200 per year. Dependents will also have to pay this surcharge.
Unfortunately, you will have to pay to cover the whole period of stay for each application. So, if for example you are applying for a UK Ancestry Visa for five years, you will have to pay £1,000 (£200 x 5 years).
Will the surcharge also apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain and Citizenship applications?
We have very limited information in regards to the new health surcharge. However it seems that applicants who will be applying for ILR or British citizenship will not need to pay the additional fee.
Will the charge be levied on renewals of visas too?
From the information we have received thus far, it seems that the fee will be payable for extensions of UK visas, as well.
What are the practical implications in terms of the application procedure?
All visa applications from 6 April 2015 will have to be accompanied by the surcharge, and it will be payable for the total period of the UK visa being applied for. The amount will be collected as part of the immigration application and the payment will be mandatory.
Visa applicants, who apply on or before 5 April 2015, will not be subject to this surcharge.
What if my visa application is unsuccessful?
If your UK visa application is unsuccessful, you will get a refund on the UK health surcharge.
BIC recommend that all persons who want to apply for a UK visa before the implementation of this UK surcharge, to get in touch with us without any delay. Please contact Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Ltd at info@bic-immigration.com or visit the website at www.bic-immigration.com for more information.
