Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application

Skip contents

Who needs to pay

You usually need to pay the healthcare surcharge if you’re applying for a visa or immigration application:

  • for more than 6 months, if you’re applying outside the UK

  • for any length of time, if you’re applying inside the UK

You do not need to pay if you’re applying for a visitor visa or to remain in the UK permanently.

You still need to pay even if you have private medical insurance.

Who does not need to pay

You’ll be able to use the NHS without paying the surcharge or getting a reference number if:

  • you’re applying for indefinite leave to enter or remain

  • you’re a health and care worker who is eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa (or you’re their dependant)

  • you’re applying to the EU Settlement Scheme

  • you’re a diplomat or a member of a visiting armed forces and not subject to immigration control 

  • you’re a dependant of a member of the UK’s armed forces 

  • you’re the dependant of a member of another country’s armed forces who is exempt from immigration control  

  • you’re a British Overseas Territory citizen resident in the Falkland Islands 

  • you’re an asylum seeker or applying for humanitarian protection (or you’re their dependant)

  • you’re a domestic worker who has been identified as a victim of slavery or human trafficking  

  • you’re applying for discretionary leave to remain in the UK as someone who has been identified as a victim of slavery or human trafficking (or you’re their dependant)  

  • the Home Office’s domestic violence concession applies to you (or you’re their dependant)

  • being made to leave the UK would be against your rights under Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights (or you’re their dependant)

  • you’re an S2 Healthcare Visitor

  • you’re eligible for a Frontier Worker permit and have an S1 certificate

  • you’re a child under 18 who has been taken into care by a local authority

  • you’re a relevant civilian employee at NATO or the Australian Department of Defence in the UK (or you’re their dependant)

  • you’re applying to stay in the UK as a victim of human trafficking or slavery (or you’re the dependant of someone who is)

  • you’re applying to stay in the UK as a stateless person

  • you’re applying for the Ukraine Extension Scheme or for a visa under the Homes for Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme

You need to pay the healthcare surcharge if you apply for indefinite leave to remain but are only given limited leave. You’ll need to pay before you’re given the leave.

Visitor visas and short-term visas

You do not need to pay the surcharge if you’re applying for a:

  • visitor visa

  • visa for 6 months or less from outside the UK

You will need to pay for any NHS care you get at the point you use it - unless it’s a service that’s free.

If you’re applying for a visa for the Isle of Man or Channel Islands

You do not need to pay the IHS.

You will need to pay for any NHS care you get at the point you use it.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Related content