- What it is
- Immigration Health Surcharge — NHS access fee
- How it's charged
- Per year (and part-year) of the visa, student rate
- When you pay
- Up front, with the visa application
- What it covers
- Broadly NHS-resident access for the visa period
- Rate
- Set by government — confirm current amount on GOV.UK
Key takeaways
- The IHS is charged for each year (and part-year) of your visa, at a discounted student rate.
- You pay it up front, as part of your visa application — before the visa is granted.
- Paying it gives broadly NHS-resident access for the length of your visa.
- Some services still cost extra: most prescriptions in England, and dental and optical care.
- Refunds are possible if your application is refused or withdrawn, or you're granted less time than you paid for.
What the IHS is and how it's calculated
The Immigration Health Surcharge is a fee that lets you use the National Health Service while you are in the UK on your visa. Students pay a discounted rate compared with most other visa categories. It is calculated for each year of your visa, with part-years rounded according to the rules (typically a half-year or full-year increment), so a longer course means a larger total. You pay the whole amount up front during the online application — it is separate from, and on top of, the visa application fee itself. Because the per-year rate is set by the government and has been increased in the past, always read the current figure from GOV.UK and use the official IHS calculator to work out your total before you apply.
What NHS access it gives you — and what still costs extra
Once you have paid the IHS and your visa is granted, you can use the NHS on broadly the same basis as someone ordinarily resident in the UK, for the length of your visa — including GP appointments and hospital treatment. Some things still carry a charge: in England, most prescriptions have a standard fee, and dental treatment and eye tests/glasses are generally not free for most adults. You should register with a local GP soon after you arrive. The IHS does not replace travel or personal health insurance for the period before your cover begins, so check the timing.
Refunds — when you get money back
Because you pay the IHS up front for the full visa period, there are situations where you are entitled to a refund: if your visa application is refused or withdrawn before a decision, or if you are granted a shorter period than you paid for. In clear-cut cases — a refusal or withdrawal — a refund is usually issued automatically to the card you paid with. Where you are granted a shorter period than you paid for, a partial refund may be due but is not always automatic, so check and chase it via UKVI. If you leave the UK permanently before your visa ends, refund rules are more limited — check the current GOV.UK guidance. Study UK Now calculates your exact IHS total as part of your overall budget so there are no surprises, and flags any refund you are owed.
How Study UK Now helps with this
Get expert, end-to-end help — from university matching to your visa.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge for students?
Students pay a discounted IHS rate, charged for each year (and part-year) of the visa, paid up front with the application. The per-year amount is set by the government and has changed over time, so use the official IHS calculator and confirm the current rate on GOV.UK rather than relying on a fixed figure.
What does the IHS cover for international students?
Paying the IHS gives you broadly the same NHS access as a UK resident for the length of your visa, including GP and hospital care. Some services still cost extra — in England most prescriptions carry a fee, and dental and optical care are generally not free for adults. Register with a local GP soon after you arrive.
Can I get an IHS refund?
Yes, in some cases — if your visa application is refused or withdrawn, or if you are granted less time than you paid for, you may receive a refund, usually processed automatically to the card you paid with. Refunds for leaving the UK early are more limited. Check the current refund rules on GOV.UK.
Sources — verified June 2026
Visa, fee and policy details change. Always confirm the latest on the official source before you rely on it.