Immigration Update: UK | Immigration Health Surcharge
11th October 2018
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) set to be doubled
What’s happened?
On 11th October 2018 the UK government sought to gain Parliamentary approval to double the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to £400 per annum for the majority of those seeking visas to enter and remain in the UK for longer than six months. Students and those seeking entry via the Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) will continue to pay a lower rate of £300 per year, also a 100% increase.
When will this be implemented?
Subject to obtaining Parliamentary approval the increase is set to take effect from December 2018.
Who will be affected?
This is likely to have a significant financial impact on businesses which sponsor skilled workers from outside the EEA as well as families and individuals seeking to move to the UK on a private basis.
It is not yet clear if the new rate will be applied to those already in the UK wishing to apply for extensions of their current visas.
What should you do?
Although the increase of the IHS should not affect the outcome of visa applications, considering the significant monetary increase we recommend that if possible applications for visas are submitted before December 2018 to avoid paying the new rate.
To discuss the options available to you, please contact our UK team at: UKImmigration@SantaFeRelo.com
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