Immigration health surcharge increases scheduled for January 2024

The United Kingdom will increase its immigration health surcharge on Jan. 16, 2024, or 21 days after relevant legislation passes, whichever is later.

Key Points:

• The surcharge will increase from £624 to £1,035 (about US$1,253) per person per year. The rate for children and students will increase from £470 to £776 a year.
  U.K. officials had previously announced that the surcharge would increase but had not specified an effective date. The date was confirmed recently in Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2023.
  The surcharge was first introduced in April 2015 and applies to most visa applicants who are applying to remain in the United Kingdom. It does not apply to visitors or those applying to remain in the United Kingdom permanently.

BAL Analysis: The 66% increase to the health surcharge is part of a broader strategy to increase fees, in part as a possible way to fund pay raises for certain public sector jobs. As of Oct. 4, work and visit visa fees increased by 15%; family, settlement and citizenship visas by 20%; and student visas by 35%. BAL will continue following the pending increases and will provide information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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