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This Order amends the Immigration (Health Charge) Order 2015 to increase the annual amount of the immigration health charge paid by persons applying for leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom.

It mandates that the standard annual fee rises from £624 to £1,035, while the discounted rate for students, their dependents, and Youth Mobility Scheme applicants increases from £470 to £776.

These changes apply to all relevant immigration applications made on or after the date the Order came into force.

Arguments For

The Explanatory Memorandum accompanying the order states that the increase ensures the health charge reflects the cost of providing National Health Service (NHS) services to those who pay it.
Proponents within the government argue that the adjustment brings the charge in line with the average cost of healthcare per person in the UK, as estimated by the Department of Health and Social Care.
The document specifies that the Secretary of State is authorized by the Immigration Act 2014 to set the charge at a level that considers the range of health services available to persons with leave to enter or remain.
The legislation maintains a discounted rate for students, their dependents, and applicants for the Youth Mobility Scheme, intended to preserve the UK's attractiveness to international students and young professionals.

Arguments Against

Legal commentators have noted that the significant percentage increase may cause financial hardship for lower-income applicants and their families, potentially impacting the right to family life under Article 8 of the ECHR.
Representatives of the higher education sector have expressed concerns that the increased costs for international students could deter enrollment and affect the financial stability of universities.
Some migration policy analysts suggest that the sharp rise in costs, when combined with visa application fees, may reduce the UK's competitiveness in attracting global talent compared to other jurisdictions.
Critics have questioned whether the stated estimates of NHS service costs accurately reflect the actual usage profile of younger, working-age migrants who form the majority of charge payers.

Citation and commencement

This Order may be cited as the Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2024 and comes into force on the later of 16th January 2024 or the twenty-first day after the day on which it is made.

This section establishes the official title of the legislation.

It specifies the effective date of the new charges, tying it to either January 16, 2024, or a three-week period following the formal signing of the document, whichever occurs later.

Amendment to the Immigration (Health Charge) Order 2015

2.—(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), in the first row (application for leave to enter or remain as a student, in accordance with the immigration rules), for “£470” substitute “£776”;

(b) in the second column of the table, in the second row (application for leave to enter or remain as the dependant of a student, in accordance with the immigration rules), for “£470” substitute “£776”;

(c) in the second column of the table, in the third row (application for leave to enter or remain as a Youth Mobility Scheme route applicant, in accordance with the immigration rules), for “£470” substitute “£776”;

(d) in the second column of the table, in the fourth row (all other applications for leave to enter or remain), for “£624” substitute “£1,035”.

This section modifies the 2015 Order to set the specific new rates for the immigration health charge.

It increases the annual fee to £776 for students, their family members, and individuals under the Youth Mobility Scheme.

For all other categories of visa applicants subject to the charge, it raises the annual fee to £1,035.

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 ensures that the new higher fee rates do not apply retroactively.

Any individual who submitted their immigration application prior to the Order's commencement date remains subject to the previous fee levels.

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