The Home Office has recently released an important update for citizens outside the European Economic Area (EEA) applying for a UK visa.
Non-EEA citizens applying for a non-visitor visa (those with intentions to work, study or join their family in the UK) for a duration exceeding 6 months, will now be required to pay a health surcharge. Applicants who are currently in the UK applying for an extension of their stay are also required to pay the said additional fee. This new rule will take effect on April 6, 2015.
There are exemptions such as Australian and New Zealand nationals, and Tier 2 skilled workers under the Intra-company transfers category who are workers of a multi-national company and are to be assigned in its UK office for a skilled job. These types of applicants will be given a reference number as proof of their exemption, which is to be used in their visa application.
What is the surcharge for?
Migrants will now be able to use the health services of the National Health Service (NHS) which were previously not accessible to temporary migrants. As a temporary migrant, you will only be covered with the medical protection and care within the allowed period of your stay in the UK.
NHS also provides services which may not be included in a basic private insurance, such as treatment for pregnancy. The payment for the health surcharge is compulsory. Thus, even if you have already availed of a private health insurance, you still need to pay the cost of the surcharge.
How much will the applicants pay?
The surcharge is fixed at £200 per year for temporary migrants and £150 per year for students. The total cost will depend on the period the migrant is allowed to stay.
For example, an overseas nurse given a Tier 2 visa good for 3 years, will need to fully pay £600 (£200 x 3 years) in addition to their visa application fee payable to the UK Home Office when they submit their visa application. Students studying a BSc 2 year course and are given a Tier 4 visa good for 2 years and 4 months, will need to pay an additional fee of £375 (£150 x 2.5 years).
Current migrant workers in the UK renewing their visas for an extended stay will also pay for the period that the visa will be issued for and the payment will be payable at the time of submitting the visa extension application. For the dependants of the applicants, they will be required to pay a similar amount.
Points to remember
Take note that the only time you will be refunded with the surcharge is when your visa application is declined. You will not be refunded in instances such as when you cancel your travel plans to the UK and you’re already given a visa or when you don’t avail of the NHS services.
You also have to pay the accurate surcharge amount upon application as failing to do so may cause delay. The Home Office needs to accept the correct amount before moving forward with your application.
