What are the 2026 IHS fees for a Spouse Visa Application?
The Spouse Visa is a visa for uniting family members and allows loved ones to join their loved ones in the UK. However, there are a number of costs involved in obtaining a Spouse Visa, including the annual Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of £1035.
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What is the IHS Fee for Spouse Visa?
NHS stands for the National Health Service, which has the responsibility of providing quality healthcare for everyone. The healthcare the NHS provides covers most areas, including general practitioner services, specialist services when referred by general practitioners, maternity services, sexual health, minor injuries, emergencies, and accident services. The NHS provides these services to everyone for free at the point of use. However, British citizens fund it through taxes and National Insurance contributions.
Immigrants to the UK also have the right to basic healthcare, and they contribute to the NHS running costs. Therefore, the UK government introduced the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as a means of raising funds for the NHS. Non-British nationals in the UK will pay into the NHS purse for the duration they plan to stay up front.
Once you have obtained Leave to Remain status in the UK, you do not need to pay the Spouse Visa health surcharge anymore.
Immigration Health Surcharge
The cost of the IHS is £1035. There are, however, specific categories of people who get a discount on the IHS fee for UK dependent visa charge. For example, children under 18 years old and young individuals registered in the Youth Mobility Scheme need to pay the lower rate of £776.
Holders of a Visitor Visa are exempted from paying the charge as those in the UK on a Health and Care Worker Visa.
Immigration Health Surcharge Refunds
UK visa applicants must have paid the IHS for the duration of their stay in the UK before being granted ILR status. Individuals whose visa only permits them to stay in the country for six months must pay the equivalent of half the yearly cost, regardless if they do not plan to use the health system during their stay or have private health insurance.
If they leave before the expiration of their visa, they may be able to apply for a partial refund of their NHS surcharge.
You may also be entitled to a refund of the NHS surcharge Spouse Visa fee if you:
- Withdraw your application
- Your application is rejected by the UK immigration services
Refunds take around six weeks to be processed.
Benefiting from the UK Healthcare System
Anyone can access the UK’s national health service for free, provided they are citizens or legal residents. Those with non-settled status can also benefit from the system as soon as they enter the UK by providing an IHS reference number. The reference number is given to them after paying the surcharge.
The fee covers basic healthcare needs like minor injuries, general practitioners, and maternity services. However, services around prescriptions and eye and dental care, such as eye examinations, are not covered by the surcharge and would attract additional costs.
Specialist services may also attract additional charges if a general practitioner does not refer you. Some may need evidence of your visa status to access treatment.
How Can London Immigration Lawyers Help?
The Spouse Visa application associated fees are substantial and form a key part of applying for a UK dependent visa.
Our London immigration lawyers can assist you with your visa application. Our immigration lawyers will help you complete your application to the best standard. Not only that, you will also get a recommendation letter to help strengthen your application for a UK Family Visa.
Reach out to us today, online or on 020 3051 3897 to learn more about our services.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at London Immigration Lawyers before making any decisions based on the content provided.
Last modified on June 4th, 2025 at 8:58 am
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Frequently Asked Questions
A spouse with a partner visa can begin to enjoy the health system benefits as soon as they arrive in the UK. After paying the NHS fee, the applicant will be given an IHS reference number which they can use to benefit from the health system. Immigrants can book a meeting with general practitioners and medical treatment immediately.
A spouse in the UK must pay the NHS fee until their visa expires or they achieve permanent settlement status. Permanent settlement is also known as indefinite leave to remain (ILR). Immigrants can reach the status after staying in the UK for ten years consecutively with regular visas; with the spouse visa, it can be achieved in five years. After their spouse’s visa expires, if they have not attained permanent settlement, they can apply for leave to remain (LR), which gives them two more years of stay.
A spouse can extend their stay in the UK by applying for an extended visa or leave to remain. The process usually takes six months, during which the applicant must not travel out of the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, or Ireland. The applicant can opt for the fast-track application package by paying £1000 for the super-priority visa service.
