Immigration Health Surcharge Set To Increase
In a written statement from The Minister of State for Immigration, Caroline Noakes, the Government expressed the intention to increase the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payment.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The IHS payment has not increased since it was introduced in April 2015. It applies to migrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to stay in Britain for at least six months. The current rate is £200 per annum for most categories. There is a discounted rate for students and those in youth mobility categories. The health surcharge is payable in full when leave to enter or remain is applied for and applies whether or not the individual later accesses the NHS. The IHS applies to adults and those under 18. Individuals still need to pay the IHS even if they have private medical insurance.
The proposal by the government is to double the IHS to £400 per year, with students and those on the Youth Mobility Scheme receiving a discounted rate of £300. Those in the UK as a visitor or without leave should be charged at the point they receive or access a secondary health care services. The suitability requirements for some applications and the general grounds of refusal encourage the payment for services to the NHS. The Secretary of State has a discretion to refuse leave to remain or enter where there is NHS debt.
Written Statement on the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
The written statement reads as follows:
“Our NHS is always there when you need it, paid for by British taxpayers. We welcome long-term migrants using the NHS, but believe it is right that they make a fair contribution to its long-term sustainability. That is why we introduced the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in April 2015.
The IHS applies to non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals subject to immigration control seeking to reside in the UK to work, study, or join family members for more than six months. Those who pay the charge may access the NHS on the same basis as UK residents for the duration of their lawful stay, i.e. they receive NHS care generally free of charge but may be charged for services a permanent resident would also pay for, such as prescription charges in England. The IHS has raised over £600m and this money has been distributed to the Department of Health and Social Care and the health ministries in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for health spending, in line with the Barnett formula.
The IHS is currently set at £200 per annum for most temporary migrant categories, with a discounted rate of £150 per annum for students and the youth mobility category. These rates have not changed since the IHS was introduced.
In February, the Government announced its intention to double the IHS. This followed a review by the Department of Health and Social Care of the evidence regarding the average cost to the NHS of treating surcharge payers. That review found that the average annual cost of NHS usage by those paying the surcharge is around £470 and that doubling the IHS could generate an additional £220 million a year for the NHS across the UK.
Today we have laid before Parliament in accordance with section 38 of the Immigration Act 2014, ‘The Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2018’. The Order, which is subject to the affirmative procedure, seeks to double the IHS to £400 per annum. Students, as well as those on the Youth Mobility Scheme, will continue to receive a discounted rate of £300. The Order also makes some minor technical amendments to provide greater clarity about exchange rates, when payments are made in foreign currencies.
The proposed amount is still below full average cost recovery level and remains a good deal for those seeking to live in the UK temporarily. These changes do not affect permanent residents, who are not required to pay the IHS. Certain vulnerable groups such as asylum seekers and modern slavery victims are exempt from paying the IHS. Short-term migrants (including those on visitor visas) and those without permission to be in the UK are generally charged for secondary care treatment by the NHS at the point of access.
Ministers in the Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care will shortly host information sessions for interested MPs and Peers”.
Impact of Increase To Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
When the proposals to increase were announced, there were many objections by organisations and charities who fear the impact on individuals. In an article by the British Medical Association: “The BMA has warned that the Government’s pledge to increase the costs of the immigration health surcharge could ultimately put off badly needed doctors and medical staff from coming to the UK……. It is estimated that nearly a quarter of the NHS medical workforce received primary qualifications outside the EEA, with this figure rising to almost 50 per cent of staff, associate specialist and specialty doctors.
The BMA has previously sought to secure exemptions from the surcharge on the basis that many migrants without indefinite leave to remain in the UK already contribute towards the health service”
The government maintains that the surcharge “remains a good deal for those seeking to live in the UK temporarily”. Given the cost of application fees generally, there are many who will not agree. Unfortunately, for many it will lead to very difficult decisions; whether to apply for further leave or come to the UK in the first place.
Contact our Immigration Barristers
For expert advice and assistance with making an application, contact our immigration barristers on 0203 617 9173 or via our enquiry form below.
