• Is the UK increasing visa fees and the healthcare surcharge?

Is the UK increasing visa fees and the healthcare surcharge?

It is not exactly typical for visa news to come following an announcement about public sector pay. However, that is exactly what happened this week during a Downing Street press conference by the British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.

In response to a question on how his government intended to pay for an increase in salary for public sector workers, Mr Sunak revealed his intention to raise more than £1 billion by increasing both UK visa fees and the healthcare surcharge.

The UK government has not yet confirmed when the increases to visa fees and the healthcare surcharge will come into effect, nor by how much these levies will rise. However, early reports suggest that a visa fee rise of anywhere between 5% and 20% is possible, while the healthcare surcharge could increase by as much as £400 per year that an eligible visa will be valid.

Full details of the new fees should be published by the Home Office within the coming weeks, but one thing seems certain: the cost of applying for a UK visa is set to increase significantly in the not-too-distant future.

What is the healthcare surcharge?

Since April 2015, applicants for certain UK visas have been required to pay a healthcare surcharge (sometimes also called an ‘immigration health surcharge’ or ‘IHS’) in addition to the standard visa application fee.

Payment of the surcharge entitles successful visa applicants to access the National Health Service (NHS), the UK’s public healthcare system.

Some individuals do not have to pay the healthcare surcharge when submitting a UK visa or immigration application. For more details, please see our healthcare surcharge guidance.

Check your eligibility for a UK visa

Tailored advice for visas to the UK

Visa fees are non-refundable in the event of a negative decision, so it is more important than ever to ensure that you are submitting the best possible application for the visa that best fits your unique personal circumstances.

VisaEnvoy is a truly international migration firm, with a long track record of working with both companies and private individuals to understand their personal circumstances and visa needs, and helping them get the right visa for them as quickly and hassle-free as possible.

We understand that the key to a successful visa application is understanding both our clients and the immigration systems with which we work. A key part of that work is keeping on top of the frequent changes to the immigration systems and visa categories of the countries in which we operate.

Our friendly, professional team of migration agents and immigration solicitors work with trusted partners in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, as well as in Canada and the United States.

If you would like to know more about VisaEnvoy, our agents or the services we offer, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Alternatively, you can book an appointment with a member of our team to discuss the needs of you or your company.

Demetris Demetriou

Demetris is a dual-qualified lawyer in the UK (Solicitor) and Cyprus (Advocate) with 10+ years of experience in UK immigration. He completed his legal studies at University College London and City University London. Over the course of his career, he held key roles as Head of Immigration at Legal 500 firms and within the Big4, overseeing teams of 15+ fee earners handling 2000+ applications annually.

Demetris went on to co-establish his firm in London and continues to offer innovative solutions and strategic immigration planning to multinationals, SMEs, and private clients.

He personally represented 1500+ clients in 30+ visa routes including investors, entrepreneurs, innovators, sole representatives, students, family visas, global talent, UK ancestry, administrative reviews and appeals. Demetris has managed corporate relocations, conducted immigration law training and implemented post-Brexit immigration policies for corporate clients.

Demetris has been featured in various events and publications focusing on UK immigration, notably at the Cambridge Network, the Westminster Policy Forum and most recently at DGEMS, a global mobility summit hosted by Forbes India.

If you would like to discuss your UK immigration matter or have any questions about your options for immigrating to the UK, you can book a consultation here.

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