The immigration health surcharge (IHS), the funds from which go to the National Health Service (NHS), was introduced under the Immigration Act 2014 in a clampdown on so-called "health tourism" and as part of attempts to improve the identification of, and cost recovery from, chargeable patients receiving secondary care. It currently applies to all non-EEA nationals making an immigration application either to enter or remain in the UK for any length of time, including applications for six months or less (but not applying to remain in the UK permanently).
The IHS is payable until such time as the person is granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK, or returns to their own country at the end of their visa period. Paying the IHS exempts a person from the system which operates for undocumented migrants in the UK where they are charged up-front an estimated 150 per cent of the cost of treatment, prior to accessing secondary NHS healthcare.
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