Health surcharge increase from 8 January 2019

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As 2019 started, the UK Government announced (with just a 4-day notice) the increase in immigration health surcharge (IHS). It was expected to happen during 2018 but no date was given until now. From 8 January 2019 health surcharge is to double from £200 per year to £400 per year for most visa categories: https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application/how-much-pay

EXAMPLES:
- Spouse visa, applying outside the UK, currently £600 for the duration of 33 months, new charge £1,200.
- Spouse visa, applying inside the UK, such as switching from Tier 4 or extending after your initial Spouse visa, currently £500 for the duration of 30 months, new charge £1,000.
- Tier 2 visa, usually for 3 years, currently £600, new charge £1,200.
- Tier 1 visa, initial visa outside the UK that is issued for 3 years and 4 months, current charge £700, new charge £1,400.
- Tier 1 visa, extension inside the UK that is issued for 2 years, current charge £400, new charge £800.
- Tier 4 student and Tier 5 YMS visas, currently £150 per year, new charge £300 per year.

EXAMPLES where health surcharge is NOT applicable at all:
- Indefinite Leave
- British Citizenship
- Applications for European citizens and their family members
- Spouse visa where British partner is in the Armed Forces.


1st4Immigration is a practicing immigration law company, accredited by the OISC at the highest Level 3, reference 200800152. Office address: 68 King William Street, City of London, London, EC4M 7DZ. For individual advice or to make your application as successful please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit our website: http://www.1st4immigration.com/
  
We also provide immigration training and CPD for lawyers and those preparing for OISC exam. We have classroom/livestream courses and online self-study courses, accredited by CPD Standards Office, ref 80001, and accepted by The OISC. Visit our OISC training page here. 

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