UK Health System

The UK has one of the best healthcare systems in the world

The UK healthcare system

It’s important to look after yourself while you’re studying and living away from home, and this includes making sure you stay healthy. The UK healthcare system is known as the National Health Service (NHS). When you arrive, we will help you register with a doctor (also known as a General Practitioner or GP) at your local surgery.

You will need to pay a healthcare surcharge (called the ‘immigration health surcharge’ or IHS) as part of your immigration application.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

If you’re studying in the UK for 6 months or more, you’ll need to pay an Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) when you apply for your visa. The surcharge is £470 per person/ year, and any dependent family members who are applying for visas with you will also have to pay this charge. If you’re making your immigration application online, you pay the surcharge as part of your application or when you book an appointment.If you’re applying by post, you pay the surcharge online before you send your application. You’ll need to include the IHS reference number on your application form. IHS will entitle you to treatment at NHS hospitals while you’re here, along with the ability to register with a doctor and NHS dentist. Some prescriptions will need to be paid for though, depending on what you have been prescribed by your doctor or dentist – you can check this with the pharmacy.

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How much do you have to pay?

The exact amount you pay depends on the length of the visa you’re given. A visa may last longer than your course of study or period of employment. You’ll have to pay:

£470 per year for a student or Youth Mobility Scheme visa, for example, £940 for a 2-year visa
£470 per year for visa and immigration applicants who are under the age of 18 at the time of application
£624 per year for all other visa and immigration applications, for example, £3,120 for a 5-year visa

Immigration Health Surcharge Refunds

You’ll get a full immigration health surcharge (IHS) refund if:

you paid twice
your visa application is refused
you withdraw your visa application

You’ll get a partial IHS refund if your visa application is successful but:

you get less time on your visa than you asked for
any dependants on your visa application are refused

If you are due a full or partial refund for these reasons, you do not have to do anything to get it. It will be automatically paid to the account or card you paid with.

In an emergency

If you find yourself or anyone else in an emergency situation, you should call 999. If you urgently need medical help but it’s not a life-threatening situation, you can call 111.

If the situation is less serious, you can make an appointment with your doctor or most towns and cities have a walk-in centre where you can wait for the next available appointment. Most hospitals also have a Minor Injury Clinic and Accident & Emergency departments.