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03 Nov IHS reimbursement for EU/Swiss students

Posted on November 3, 2021 in Other Visas by
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On 1 November 2021, the Home Office announced that EU and Swiss full-time students who are studying in the UK can apply for a reimbursement of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) from 1 January 2022.

If a migrant is applying for a UK visa valid more than 6 months, he/she will need to pay IHS. However, individuals do not need to pay IHS if they are applying for the visa under the following scheme:

  • They’re applying for indefinite leave to enter or remain;
  • They’re a health and care worker who is eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa (or They’re their dependant);
  • They’re applying to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS);
  • They’re a diplomat or a member of a visiting armed forces and not subject to immigration control;
  • They’re a dependant of a member of the UK’s armed forces;
  • They’re the dependant of a member of another country’s armed forces who is exempt from immigration control;
  • They’re applying for a visa for the Isle of Man or Channel Islands;
  • They’re a British Overseas Territory citizen resident in the Falkland Islands;
  • They’re an asylum seeker or applying for humanitarian protection (or They’re their dependant);
  • They’re a domestic worker who has been identified as a victim of slavery or human trafficking;
  • They’re applying for discretionary leave to remain in the UK as someone who has been identified as a victim of slavery or human trafficking (or you’re their dependant);
  • The Home Office’s domestic violence concession applies to you (or you’re their dependant);
  • Being made to leave the UK would be against your rights under Article 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights (or you’re their dependant);
  • They’re an S2 Healthcare Visitor;
  • They’re eligible for a Frontier Worker permit and have an S1 certificate;
  • They’re applying for a Standard Visitor visa;
  • They’re applying for a visa valid for 6 months or less from outside the UK.

For EU or Swiss full-time students, they will be able to apply for an IHS reimbursement from 1 January 2022.

If the migrant is from the EU, his/her reimbursement will be backdated to include any surcharge payments made for a visa starting on or after 1 January 2021.

However, if the student is from Switzerland, his/her reimbursement will be backdated from 1 November 2021 at the earliest.

Are you eligible to apply for an IHS reimbursement?

EU/Swiss migrants might be able to apply for an IHS reimbursement if they are full-time students in UK higher education (Level 4 and above in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or Level 7 and above in Scotland), their visa started on/after 1 January 2021, and they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued in an EU country or Switzerland. Please note that they must not work or must not intend to work in the UK.

Contact Our Immigration Team

For expert advice regarding any aspect of the UK visa application, please contact our immigration team on 0203 384 3075.

The content of this article is for general use and information only. Since each case should be prepared on its own merit and in light of the constant amendments to the Immigration Rules, it is important to note that the information provided must not be relied upon unless Migra & Co has either given written consent or has been officially engaged in relation to a specific immigration matter. As a result, Migra & Co will take no responsibility for any damage, cost or loss resulting from relying on the information contained in this article, blog and website.