Paying the IHS fee is a key step in your UK visa application, and missing it can delay your visa processing. This guide is for those planning to study or work in the UK from India, explaining what the IHS fee is, who must pay it, how much it costs, and how to pay it.
Also Read: 10 Apps That Make Life of an International Student Easier in The UK
What is the IHS Fee
IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) is the fee paid to access NHS (National Health Service) health services in the UK for free. The IHS is a mandatory payment for most of the UK visa applications, including student and employment visas.
On successful payment of the IHS fee, you can start using NHS facilities free of charge from the date your UK visa starts until it expires. But it does not involve certain services such as prescriptions, dental procedures, eye tests and assisted conception.
Who Needs to Pay IHS Fees
The IHS fee is applicable for Indian students and workers who are:
- Immigration or visa applicants applying outside the UK, who intend to stay in the UK for more than 6 months.
- Immigration or visa applicants applying inside the UK who intend to stay in the UK for any length of time.
Who Does Not Need to Pay IHS Fees
The IHS fee does not apply to Indians included in the following categories.
- Visiting visa applicants
- UK permanent residency applicants
- Health and care workers who fall under the Health and Care Worker Visa
There are several other instances where the IHS fees are not applicable, but they are least applicable for ordinary Indian applicants. However, to further explore the excluded categories, visit the official website of the UK Government.
What is the IHS Amount to Pay
The IHS fees payable depend on the visa type, duration, and location of application. Applicants need to pay the full amount applicable for their visa validity period.
| Applicant Type | Annual Fees When Applied Outside the UK | Annual Fees When Applied Within the UK |
| Students | £776 | £388 |
| Dependants of students | £776 | £388 |
| Applicants under the Youth Mobility Scheme | £776 | NA |
| Visa and immigration applicants under 18 years of age | £776 | £388 |
| All other visa and immigration applicants | £1035 | £517.50 |
When applying for a 5-year student visa, you are required to pay a fee of £3,880 (£776 per year), or £388 for a 6-month visa if you are applying from India.
How to Pay IHS Fees for a UK Visa Online from India
- Visit GOV.UK visa application portal to apply fo UK visa. https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration
- Along the visa application process, you shall be automatically prompted to pay the IHS fee, which is included in the total visa application fee.
- Enter the required details from your Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) or University Enrollment Letter to authenticate your stay period and visa category.
- When instructed, pay the IHS fee using your international-enabled debit or credit card. The payment is typically made in Indian Rupees based on your card service provider’s then exchange rate.
- Soon after payment, you will receive your IHS reference number via email, which you can use to proceed with your further visa application.
How to Get the IHS Fee Refunded
You shall receive a full refund of the paid IHS amount in case of the following scenarios:
- If you paid the IHS fees twice for the same visa application (not for less than 6 months)
- If your visa application is rejected
- If you withdraw the application before a decision is made by the embassy
You shall receive a partial refund of the paid IHS amount in case of the following scenarios:
- If you get a shorter stay period on your visa than you had applied for
- If the visa for your dependents is rejected (you get their IHS fees fully back)
- If you are applying to extend or change your visa and have paid twice for the same period
The IHS fee refund shall be credited to the account or card you had used to make the payment within 6 weeks of receiving a decision on your visa processing from the UK embassy.
Paying the applicable amount of IHS fee at the right time lets you access the NHS facilities for free, cutting down a major chunk of your expenses while studying or working in the UK. However, for medical needs not covered by IHS fees and for other emergencies requiring financial assistance from India, ExTravelMoney can be your best partner for money transfers to the UK. With its swift and smooth payment services and competitive exchange rate, ExTravelMoney lets you save 5% more on each transfer and manage emergencies with peace of mind.
Also Read: How to Save on Currency Exchange – 7 Tips for Indian Travellers
Article Sources:
GOV.UK Official Website of UK Government
Ann Mariya Job is the Associate Content Writer at ExTravelMoney.com. Holding a Bachelor’s in Journalism, she excels in creating deeply researched, engaging, and crisp content. Her work helps readers understand the complexities of foreign exchange, overseas money transfers, and international travel.