The UK government has announced that it plans to double the immigration health surcharge paid by temporary migrants.

UK health surcharge increase

The surcharge will rise from £200 to £400 per year. While the discounted rate for students and those on the Youth Mobility Scheme will increase from £150 to £300.Currently the annual charge is paid by people from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who are seeking to live in the UK for six months or more to work, study or join family.The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) estimates that the NHS spends £470 on average per person per year on treating surcharge payers. Projections suggest that the increased charges may provide around £220m extra every year, with this money going to NHS services.

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NHS charges to reflect cost of using health services

Health Minister James O’Shaughnessy said, “Our NHS is always there when you need it, paid for by British taxpayers. We welcome long-term migrants using the NHS, but it is only right that they make a fair contribution to its long-term sustainability.“By increasing the surcharge so that it better reflects the actual costs of using health services, this government is providing an extra £220 million a year to support the NHS.”Immigration Minister Caroline Nokes said, “It is only right that people who come to the UK should contribute to the running of the NHS. The surcharge offers access to health care services that are far more comprehensive and at a much lower cost than many other countries.“The government plans to make the changes later this year in order to better reflect the actual costs to the NHS of treating those who pay the surcharge.”

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Read more about the mobility industry in the Winter issue of our magazine. 

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