Based on official UKVI 2025 fees. All figures are estimates for guidance only. Visa fees can change without notice — always verify at gov.uk/visa-fees before applying. This tool does not constitute immigration advice.
What is the IHS?
The Immigration Health Surcharge grants NHS access during your stay. It is £1,035/yr for most visas and £776/yr for students. Health & Care Workers are exempt. Paid upfront in full.
Priority services
Priority (+£500) targets 5 working days. Super priority (+£1,000) targets next working day. Subject to availability — not all visa types or locations offer this.
Family applications
Each family member pays the full fee and IHS separately — no family discount. Use the multiple applicant toggle to calculate the total for your household.
Health & Care exempt
Health and Care Workers and their dependants pay zero IHS — saving £1,035/yr per person vs the standard Skilled Worker visa. A significant advantage for NHS and care sector workers.
UK visa fees explained — complete guide (2025)
Most UK visa applicants pay two separate charges: the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). Both are paid online before submitting your application and are non-refundable if your application is refused.
The IHS was significantly increased in January 2024 to £1,035 per year for most visa categories (up from £624). Students pay £776 per year. Health and Care Workers are exempt. For a family of four on 3-year Skilled Worker visas, the IHS alone totals £12,420 — a figure many applicants are caught off guard by.
Use the calculator above to see your exact total — including IHS, priority services, and the long-term path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Always verify the exact fee at gov.uk/visa-fees before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge and who pays it?
The IHS must be paid by most people applying for a UK visa for more than 6 months. The 2025 rate is £1,035 per year for most categories, £776 per year for students and dependant children. Health and Care Workers and their dependants are fully exempt. It must be paid upfront in full for the entire visa duration before submitting your application — you cannot pay it in instalments.
Are UK visa fees refundable if my application is refused?
No. Both the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge are non-refundable if your application is refused. If you withdraw your application before a decision is made, you may be able to reclaim the IHS but not the visa fee. This makes it critical to ensure your application is complete and correct before submitting.
Do I pay IHS on every visa renewal?
Yes. Every time you apply for a new visa or an extension, you must pay the IHS for the full new duration upfront. For example, a Partner visa applicant on the 5-year route will pay IHS twice — once for the initial 2.5-year visa and again for the 2.5-year extension — before becoming eligible for ILR. Our True Cost Over Time section models this automatically.
Can I get a faster decision on my UK visa?
Priority service (+£500) targets a decision within 5 working days. Super priority service (+£1,000) targets next working day. Both are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Not all visa types or application locations offer priority services. Availability also varies by the UKVI service centre processing your application.
How does the IHS rounding work?
The IHS is charged per complete year of stay, rounded up. So 1 month of stay = 1 year of IHS charged. 13 months = 2 years of IHS. 24 months exactly = 2 years of IHS (not 3). This means a 2-year-and-1-month visa costs the same IHS as a 3-year visa. Our calculator applies the correct Math.ceil rounding automatically.
What is the full cost of the path from Skilled Worker visa to ILR?
The typical path is: initial Skilled Worker visa (up to 3 years) + extension (up to 3 more years) + ILR application. For one person: £719 initial fee + £3,105 IHS + £719 extension fee + £3,105 extension IHS + £2,885 ILR fee = approximately £10,533. For a family of four, multiply this by four — approximately £42,132. Our calculator models this in the True Cost Over Time section.