Update 18.01.2024: On January 16, 2024, the Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2024 was officially enacted. This amendment stipulates that the revised rates will be applicable to applications submitted from 06 February 2024, onwards, which is 21 days subsequent to the order’s legal implementation. As per the amendment, the standard health surcharge has been raised to £1,035 per year from the previous £624, applicable for each year of the visa duration. Additionally, there is an increase in the discounted rate of the surcharge, now set at £776 per year, up from £470, for example, for children dependants or students.
It is important to note that these revised surcharges are applicable to all visa applications filed on or after 06 February 6 2024. This includes individuals who are already in the UK and are in the process of navigating through various stages of immigration. The new rates will be uniformly applied to all new applications submitted on or after 6 February 2024, regardless of the applicant’s current status in their immigration proceedings.
Summary of the Main Changes
IHS Fee Increase
- The standard rate for Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is due to increase from £624 to £1,035 per year for workers and family members staying for six months or more.
- Students, children, and youth mobility visa holders will see their IHS rate increase from £470 to £776 per year.
Application Fee Increase
- Work and visit visas will rise by 15%.
- Student visas, certificates of sponsorship, settlement applications, citizenship, entry clearance, and leave to remain applications will increase by at least 20%.
- Settlement (ILR) applications will cost at least £2,885 per person.
Abolition and Simplifications
- The government will abolish the biometric enrolment fee of £19.20 and the transfer of conditions fee of £161..
- Fees will no longer be charged for amending details on physical documents such as
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- name,
- sex marker,
- nationality,
- photograph.
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- Fees will be abolished for like-for-like replacement of a biometric residence permit (BRP) when the document has expired.
IHS Fee Increase in 2023/2024
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will undergo a fee increase, impacting the cost of an immigration application for migrants and their family members in the United Kingdom. The government stated that the purpose of this fee hike is to generate additional revenue for the government and to fund pay rises for healthcare professionals.
Under the new fee structure, the standard rate for the IHS will rise significantly from £624 to £1,035 per year for workers and family members staying in the UK for a period of six months or more. This increase applies to both migrants and British citizens who are sponsoring their family members. Similarly, students, children, and youth mobility visa holders will experience a notable fee increase, with their IHS rate going up from £470 to £776 per year.
The decision to raise the IHS fees has attracted attention and controversy. The minister responsible for the measure made it clear: the fee increase will fund the earlier announced pay rise for doctors. The government aims to use the increased IHS rates to improve healthcare professionals’ remuneration. This change also intends to offer financial support for the entire healthcare system.
The timing of the increase has not yet been confirmed. We expect more information to follow in the coming weeks. Considering the scale of the increase, one would expect a lengthy notice to applicants before the changes are introduced.
Application Fees Increase
The government has raised the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees and also increased various immigration and nationality application fees. These changes impact visas like work permits, visitor visas, student visas, settlement applications, citizenship, entry clearance, and leave to remain.
Work and visit visa fees are up by 15%, while other applications face a more significant increase of at least 20%. For instance, settlement applications now cost a minimum of £2,885 per person, impacting those seeking UK residency. This surge in fees can be especially challenging for families or individuals with multiple dependents.
The settlement fees are paid per applicant when the application is submitted.
While the increased fees pose challenges for migrants and their families, the government has introduced certain fee simplifications and abolished specific charges to mitigate the impact. As part of these changes, the government will eliminate the £19.20 fee for biometric enrolment and the £161 charge for the transfer of conditions. Furthermore, fees will no longer be applicable for amending details on physical documents, such as:
- name,
- sex marker,
- nationality, photographs.
Another positive change is the abolition of fees for like-for-like replacement of a biometric residence permit when the document has expired, benefitting individuals with indefinite leave to remain.
The fee simplifications don’t offset the overall rise in application costs, impacting migrants, their families, and sponsoring organizations of overseas workers. The increased fees, along with possible expenses for additional Home Office services and legal representation, make the immigration process more expensive, compounding existing challenges for migrants and their families.
