The Register of Overseas Entities (Protection and Trusts) and Limited Liability Partnerships (Application of Company Law) (Amendment) Regulations 2026
The Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2024 amends the Immigration (Health Charge) Order 2015 to increase the annual amount of the immigration health surcharge.
The order requires individuals applying for leave to enter or remain in the UK for a limited period to pay a higher financial contribution toward the National Health Service. It sets new rates of £776 per year for students, their dependents, and applicants under the age of 18, and £1,035 per year for most other visa categories.
Arguments For
The Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the order states that the increase is intended to ensure that the health charge covers the cost of healthcare provided to those who pay it, reflecting increases in healthcare expenditure.
Proponents within the government argue that the adjustment brings the surcharge closer to the full cost of NHS services used by temporary migrants, thereby protecting public funds.
The document specifies that the tiered structure remains in place, maintaining a lower rate for students and children to acknowledge their specific circumstances and lower average healthcare utilization.
Arguments Against
Migrant rights organizations have expressed concern that the significant percentage increase in the surcharge may pose a financial barrier for families and lower-income workers seeking to remain in the UK legally.
Legal observers have noted that the rapid implementation of such fee increases can create administrative burdens for applicants who have already budgeted based on previous rates.
Health policy analysts have questioned whether the surcharge leads to double taxation, as many visa holders also contribute to the NHS through general taxation such as National Insurance and Income Tax.
1. Citation, commencement and extent
(1) This Order may be cited as the Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2024.
(2) This Order comes into force on the later of 16th January 2024 or the twenty-first day after the day on which it is made.
(3) This Order extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This section establishes the official name of the legislation and its geographical jurisdiction across all four nations of the United Kingdom.
It specifies that the new rules take effect either on January 16, 2024, or 21 days after the order is formally signed, whichever date occurs later.
2. Amendments to the Immigration (Health Charge) Order 2015
(1) The Immigration (Health Charge) Order 2015 is amended as follows.
(2) In Schedule 1 (amount of the charge)— (a) in the second column of the table (annual amount)— (i) for "£470", in both places it occurs, substitute "£776"; (ii) for "£624" substitute "£1,035".
This section modifies the 2015 Order by updating the specific financial figures for the annual health charge.
It substitutes the previous rate of £470 with £776 for applicable categories, such as students and minors, and increases the standard rate from £624 to £1,035 for other applicants.
These changes dictate the total sum an individual must pay when submitting a visa application, calculated by multiplying these annual rates by the number of years of leave requested.
3. Transitional provision
This Order does not apply in relation to an application for leave to enter or remain made before the coming into force of this Order.
This provision clarifies that the new, higher fee rates are not retroactive. It ensures that any individual who submitted their immigration application prior to the date this order becomes law will be charged the previous, lower rates rather than the new ones.
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