The UK government announced in July 2023 the immigration health surcharge would be increased in order to fund public sector pay rises. This week, the government confirmed that the fee is set to increase no earlier than 16 January 2024.
The immigration health surcharge fees will increase from £624 per year to £1,035 per year for most applicants and will increase from £470 per year to £776 per year for children, youth mobility workers, students and their dependents.
This increase has been detailed in the Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2023, which was published last week. This increase intends to fulfill the Government’s 2019 manifesto commitment to “ensure that the Health Charge reflects the full cost to the NHS of treating Health Charge payers”.
This confirmation to increase the immigration health surcharge comes weeks after the UK government raised other immigration fees for those wishing to enter or extend their leave in the UK. Employers should consider making sponsorship and immigration applications ahead of the rise where possible and adjust the budgeting for visa related fees for 2024.
Source : NC
