NHS surcharge from 6 April 2015: when it starts and how it will work.

By 1st 4Immigration - #1 UK Immigration Experts -
On 19 March 2015 the Home Office announced that the Immigration Health Surcharge would be introduced on 6 April 2015. Such changes are traditionally introduced at a short notice to avoid the sudden increase in the volume of visa applications. The health surcharge, which does provide a very good value for money comparing to the other countries, will apply to non-EEA nationals who are applying for a student, work and a family visa (such as a Spouse visa) inside or outside the UK. It will apply to those making an application from 6 April 2015.

Will it apply to those extending their stay in the same category? Yes, it will. For example, if you are on a Spouse visa now and need to extend it, you will be asked to pay the Health Surcharge at the point of applying for a visa. If you are on a Tier 2 or Tier 1 visa and applying for an extension (even in the same category), you will be asked to pay it. You won’t have to pay if you’re applying for an Indefinite Leave.

How to determine whether you have to pay when applying inside the UK? If you are planning to use same-day service, the date of booking an appointment (and paying a UKVI fee) will determine whether you have to pay the surcharge or not, not the date when your appointment is booked for. For example, if you are booking an appointment on 1 April 2015 to attend on 1 May 2015 you won’t have to pay the surcharge.

How to determine whether you have to pay when applying outside the UK? As you may know, applying outside the UK starts from completing an online visa application form. It is the date of submission of that form, and paying a UKVI fee (which happens at the same time), which will determine whether you have to pay the surcharge or not. For example, if you are submitting the form and paying before 6 April 2015 you won’t need to pay the health surcharge, even if your appointment at the visa centre is later, depending on when the slots are available (it can be a month later, for example). If you’re submitting the form on or after 6 April 2015 you’d have to pay the surcharge.

How much is the surcharge? £150 per year for students, £200 per year for others. The surcharge will have to cover the whole duration of the visa. For example, if you are applying for a 3 year visa then you will have to pay the total of £600 at the point of application (£450 for students).

Will dependants have to pay? Yes, the surcharge is per person, including each child.

Examples of those who won’t have to pay:
·         Those applying for Indefinite Leave or British Citizenship.
·         Australian and New Zealand nationals applying for any type of visa.
·         Those applying/extending a Tier 2 Intra-Company Transfer visa.
·         Visitors (but visitors are already obliged to pay for the NHS services).

For an individual advice or to make an application (whether you’re applying inside or outside the UK) please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit www.1st4immigration.com   

If you are an Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and CPD website: www.1st4immigration.com/training  

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