Huge increase to immigration fees announced

On the 13^th of July 2023, the UK Government announced that the Immigration (IHS) will increase from £624 to £1035 per person per year for most main applicants. What does this mean in real time.

An adult applying for an extension for 30 months visa will budget to pay a total of £2587.5 for their HIS fee only; in addition, the UKVI fee of £1033, making a total of £3620.5.

During debate at the house of Commons debate on public sector pay, the chief secretary to the Treasury said;

“We plan to increase the rates of the immigration health surcharge, which have been frozen for the past three years, despite high inflation and wider pressures facing the economy and the system in general, to ensure that it covers the full healthcare costs of those who pay it. Under our plans, the main rate will increase to £1,035, and the discounted rate for students and under-18s will increase to £776. That increase to the surcharge will help to fund the pay rise for doctors.”

This increase will apply to all category save the following;

1. Applying for visa for 6 months or less (entry clearance)
2. For skilled worker – Health and Care worker and their dependent
3. EUSS – EU Settlement Scheme
4. Nationality – Naturalization, indefinite leave to remain
5. Dependant of UK armed forces
6. Victims of modern slavery
7. Domestic violence Asylum seekers
8. British overseas Territory
9. Frontier worker permit and have an S1 certificate.

If you are eligible for a fee waiver when making your application, your immigration Health Surcharge fee will also be waived, subject to fulfilling the high threshold to prove that they can afford their application.