The immigration health surcharge legislation came into affect in the UK on 6th April 2015. Nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) visiting the UK for longer than six months are required to pay the health surcharge when they make their immigration application. This also applies to non-EEA nationals already in the UK who apply to extend their stay.
It is proposed that the government is gearing up to regain about £1.7 billion over the span of ten years, in order to help pay for the NHS treatment cost given to temporary migrants.
Furthermore, it has been claimed that the cost of NHS by overseas visitors and migrants is over £2 billion a year. £950 million is being spent on temporary, non-EEA workers and students.
The immigration health surcharge will cost £200 per year, while it would cost £150 for students. This will be payable upfront and for a total period of time for which the migrants are given permission to stay in the UK.
The Health Minister, Lord Howe states, “We want international visitors to feel welcome to use the NHS, provided they pay for it- just as families in the UK do through their taxes, so we are making sure that overseas visitors and migrants pay for NHS healthcare and helping NHS staff to understand the charging system.”