Pay for UK healthcare as part of your immigration application

Skip to contents of guide

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’s 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.

You will not get a refund if:

  • your visa application is successful but you do not come to the UK
  • you leave the UK before your visa ends, for example to make a new application
  • you’re told to leave the UK before your visa expires
  • you’re applying for indefinite leave to remain

If your healthcare is paid for by an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

If you have an S1 certificate

You may get a full or partial IHS refund if you have an S1 certificate registered with the NHS Business Services Authority.

Find out more about applying for a refund.

If you’re a student

You can apply for a full or partial IHS refund if all of the following are true:

  • you’re a full-time student in UK higher education
  • your visa started on or after 1 January 2021
  • you have a European Healthcare Insurance Card (EHIC) issued in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
  • you do not work

If you’re claiming as a full-time student with an EHIC, you can apply for a refund of the IHS you paid to cover any period starting on or after:

  • 1 January 2021 - if your EHIC was issued in the EU or Norway
  • 1 November 2021 - if your EHIC was issued in Switzerland
  • 1 January 2024 - if your EHIC was issued in Iceland or Liechtenstein

Applications open from 1 January 2022.

The amount you’re refunded will depend on the date your S1 certificate or EHIC runs out.

Find out more about applying for a refund as an EU or Swiss student.

Apply for a refund as an EU or Swiss student.

If you work in health and care

You and your dependants may be able to get a refund of the IHS if you work in health and care.

Check if you’re eligible for a refund as a health or care worker.

How long it takes

You usually get your refund within 6 weeks of getting a decision on your visa application. It can take longer if you appeal or ask for an administrative review after your visa application is refused.

If you appeal or ask for an administrative review

If you applied from:

  • inside the UK - you’ll get your refund up to 6 weeks after your appeal or administrative review is dismissed
  • outside the UK - you’ll get your refund up to 6 weeks after your visa application is refused

You’ll have to repay the IHS if your appeal or administrative review is successful and you’ve already got your IHS refund.

You might have to repay a different amount if:

  • the length of your stay changes
  • you get less time on your visa than you asked for

Contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if your refund is not paid within 6 weeks.