What Is IHS for UK International Students?

28 July 2026·8 min read·guides

A clear explanation of the Immigration Health Surcharge for UK international students — how much it costs, what it covers, when to pay, and refund rules.

IHShealth surchargevisaNHSUpdated 9 July 2026 The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee paid by most international students as part of their UK student visa application. As of mid-2026, the student rate is £776 per year of leave granted. The IHS gives you access to the National Health Service during your stay on the same basis as a UK resident — meaning you can use GP services, hospital treatment, and most NHS care without additional charges at the point of use. It is not optional, it is not refundable if you choose not to use the NHS, and it must be paid in full at the point of visa application. The surcharge is calculated based on the total length of your visa, including a wrap-up period after your course ends, and is paid upfront for the entire duration. Understanding how the IHS is calculated, what it covers, and what it does not cover helps you budget accurately and avoids surprises during the visa application process.

How the IHS is calculated

The calculation is based on the total length of leave you are granted, not just your course duration. For a typical one-year master’s programme, your visa is granted for the course length plus an additional wrap-up period:

Courses lasting 12 months or more: visa granted for the full course length plus four months after the course end date
Courses lasting 6-12 months: visa granted for the full course length plus two months after the course end date
Courses lasting less than 6 months: visa granted for the full course length plus seven days

The IHS is charged for the full visa period, including the wrap-up months. If the total period includes a part year of six months or less, the charge for that part year is half the annual rate (£388 for students as of 2026). If the part year is more than six months, a full year’s surcharge is charged.

Example: A 12-month master’s programme starting in September 2027 and ending in September 2028, with a four-month wrap-up period, results in a visa lasting 16 months. The IHS calculation: one full year (£776) plus a part year of four months (half the annual rate, £388), for a total of £1,164.

For a two-year programme with a placement year, the visa might be granted for 28 months, producing an IHS charge of two full years plus a part year: £776 + £776 + £388 = £1,940.

You can calculate your exact IHS liability using the official calculator on GOV.UK once you know your course dates and course end date as stated on your CAS.

What the IHS covers

Payment of the IHS entitles you to use NHS services on the same basis as someone ordinarily resident in the UK. This includes:

Consultations with a GP (general practitioner)
Hospital treatment, including inpatient and outpatient care
Emergency and urgent care, including accident and emergency services
Maternity services
Mental health services
Most NHS prescriptions at the standard prescription charge, currently £9.90 per item in England as of 2026, with exemptions for certain groups

You register with a GP practice near your accommodation when you arrive in the UK. This gives you access to primary care, which is the first point of contact for most health concerns. GP registration is free and straightforward, though finding a practice accepting new patients can take time in some areas.

What the IHS does not cover

The IHS does not cover everything, and some services require separate payment even with the surcharge:

Dental treatment: NHS dental care is available but involves separate charges based on treatment bands. Private dental care is also widely available at higher cost.
Optical services: eye tests and glasses or contact lenses are not covered. These are paid for separately.
Prescriptions: the prescription charge applies per item in England. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland do not charge for prescriptions.
Some specialist services: certain treatments may require separate assessment or payment depending on the clinical circumstances.
Private healthcare: the IHS covers NHS services only. If you choose private treatment, you pay for it directly or through private health insurance.

The IHS does not exempt you from the prescription charge or dental charges. Budget for these separately. Some students choose to supplement NHS access with private health insurance, particularly for dental and optical care, though this is a personal choice, not a requirement.

When and how to pay

The IHS is paid as part of the online visa application process. After completing the application form, you are directed to the IHS payment portal before submitting the application. The payment is made by credit or debit card in pounds sterling.

The IHS reference number generated by the payment portal must be included in your visa application. Without it, the application cannot be processed. Print or save the IHS payment confirmation for your records.

If you are applying with dependants — a spouse, civil partner, or children — each dependant pays the same IHS rate as you, and their surcharge is calculated on the same basis.

IHS refund rules

The IHS is refunded in specific circumstances:

If your visa application is refused, the full IHS amount is refunded automatically.
If your visa application is withdrawn before a decision is made, the IHS is refunded in full.
If you are granted a shorter visa than you applied for, a partial refund may be issued for the difference.
If you leave the UK early and have more than six months of unused leave, a partial refund for the unused portion may be available.

The IHS is not refunded if you choose not to use the NHS, if you leave the UK with less than six months remaining on your visa, or if your visa is curtailed for breaching conditions. Refunds are processed to the card used for payment and may take several weeks to appear.

What this means for your shortlist

The IHS is a fixed cost that must be factored into your total study budget alongside tuition fees, living costs, and visa application fees. For a one-year master’s programme, budget approximately £1,164 for the IHS as of 2026. For undergraduate programmes lasting three years, the total IHS cost can exceed £2,300.

The IHS is paid upfront, not in instalments. This means you need the full surcharge amount available at the point of visa application, in addition to the financial evidence showing you can cover your course fees and living costs. The IHS payment itself is separate from the maintenance funds you must demonstrate.

Before you submit the course-options form

Use the IHS calculator on GOV.UK to estimate your surcharge based on the course end date stated on your CAS.
Add the IHS amount to your total budget alongside tuition fees, living costs, visa application fee, and travel costs.
Check whether any dependants who will join you need their own IHS payments, and add these to your budget.
Note that the IHS rate can change between visa cycles. The £776 student rate is current as of mid-2026; verify the rate at the time of your application.
Keep the IHS payment confirmation and reference number after paying, as you may need it for enrolment at your university.

FAQ

Q1: Do I have to pay the IHS if I have private health insurance?

Yes. The IHS is mandatory for all visa applicants regardless of any private insurance you hold. Private insurance is supplementary and does not replace the IHS requirement.

Q2: Does the IHS cover pre-existing conditions?

Yes. Unlike some private insurance policies, the NHS does not exclude pre-existing conditions. The IHS gives you access to NHS care on the same basis as UK residents, which includes treatment for pre-existing conditions.

Q3: Can I opt out of the IHS if I am from a country with a reciprocal healthcare agreement?

Reciprocal healthcare agreements between the UK and some countries apply to visitors, not to residents on student visas who have paid the IHS. You must pay the IHS regardless of any reciprocal healthcare arrangements.

Q4: Will I get an IHS refund if I switch to a work visa after my course?

If you switch from a student visa to a work visa before your student visa expires, the unused IHS from your student visa is not refunded, but your work visa application will include its own IHS payment. There is no double counting or transfer between visa categories.

Q5: Is the IHS the same at all UK universities?

Yes. The IHS is a UKVI charge, not a university charge. It is the same regardless of which university you attend. The only variable is the calculation based on your course length and location.

IHS rates and refund rules cited in this guide reflect the position as of mid-2026. The IHS rate is subject to change by the UK government. Always verify the current rate on GOV.UK at the time of your visa application.

Check course options

Budgeting for your UK study means accounting for all costs, including the IHS. Tell us about your programme plans, and we will help you find options that fit your financial profile.

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Share your background, target intake, subject direction, and constraints. We’ll help frame possible UK university and course options based on the information you provide. Check course options Open the course-options form to start building your shortlist.