When Is a IHS Refund Paid?

What Is the Immigration Health Surcharge and Who Must Pay It?

Most applicants for UK visas lasting more than six months must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of their application, unless exempt or granted a fee waiver. The surcharge provides access to National Health Service (NHS) medical treatment on broadly the same basis as permanent UK residents, from the date immigration permission is granted until it expires. This article explains the circumstances in which an IHS refund may be granted.

How Much Is the IHS and How Is It Calculated?

As of 6 February 2024, the IHS rates are:

• £1,035 per year for most applicants
• £776 per year for students, Youth Mobility, and child applicants

The IHS is calculated in six-month blocks and rounded up to the next block, including any additional wrap-up months (e.g., post-study or pre-employment periods).

If applying from overseas, the IHS is paid in the country’s designated currency. For entry-clearance cases, top-ups and partial refunds are calculated using the exchange rate on the original IHS payment date (as calculated by the IHS portal). 

When Is a IHS Refund Paid?

The Home Office guidance sets out the circumstances under which an applicant may receive a full, partial or in some cases no refund. 

Applicants will receive a full refund if:

• their visa application is refused and any appeal rights are exhausted
• their visa application is voided or rejected
• they withdraw their visa application before a decision is made
• they have paid the IHS twice for the same visa application

Applicants will receive a partial refund of the IHS if:

• they are granted a shorter period of immigration permission than applied for
• a dependent (or dependents) is refused where the applications are made using a single IHS reference number
• the applicant is applying to extend or switch their immigration permission from within the UK and has paid the IHS twice covering the same period
• the applicant has paid more IHS than is required as part of their application

Applicants will not receive a refund of the IHS where:

• the applicant withdraws their application after a decision has been made
• the application is successful, but the applicant does not come to the UK
• the applicant leaves the UK before their immigration permission expires (for example, to make a new application)
• the applicant is told to leave the UK
• the applicant is applying for indefinite leave to remain
• the applicant is making a further application which does not require payment of the IHS
• the applicant dies after their visa has been granted

How Are IHS Refunds Paid and What If the Amount Looks Wrong?

If you are owed a full or partial IHS refund, you do not need to take any action to request it. In most cases, UKVI will automatically process the refund to the account or card you used to pay the surcharge. If someone else paid the IHS on your behalf (for example, an employer or family member), the refund will be sent to that person’s card or account. Refunds are typically issued within 28 days of the decision on your visa application (or after any appeal or administrative review) and may take up to six weeks to reach your account.

For entry‑clearance applications made outside the UK, partial refunds are calculated using the exchange rate on the date of the original payment. This means the amount you receive in your local currency may differ slightly from the sterling amount shown on Home Office correspondence. Banks may also apply their own conversion charges, which are not refunded. These factors explain why the figure credited to your statement might appear lower than expected.

If you have not received your refund within six weeks, or if you believe the amount is incorrect, you should contact the IHS refunds team at UKVI (details are provided on the Home Office decision notice). They will be able to confirm the refund status and, if necessary, arrange for the payment to be reissued. Note that if the account used to pay the IHS has been closed, UKVI may reach out to request alternative bank details

Frequently Asked Questions