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You may be able to get money back if you paid the immigration health surcharge (IHS) and you work in health and care.

There are different ways to get money back, depending on your visa and your job.

If you have a Tier 2 (General) visa and you’re a medical professional, you are eligible for a refund - you’ll need to apply for it.

If you do not have a Tier 2 (General) visa or you work in another health or care role, you may be able to apply for a refund.

You’ll be eligible to apply for a refund if you both:

• have a Tier 2 (General) visa
• work in an eligible job

You’ll get a full or partial refund, depending on when you paid the immigration health surcharge (IHS).

Eligible jobs

You can get a refund if you’re a:

• biological scientist
• biochemist
• dental practitioner
• doctor
• midwife
• medical radiographer
• nurse
• ophthalmic optician
• paramedic
• pharmacist
• physiotherapist
• physical scientist
• podiatrist
• psychologist
• social worker
• speech and language therapist
• therapy professional

What you’ll get

You’ll get a full refund if you paid the IHS on or after 31 March 2020.

If you paid the IHS before 31 March 2020, you’ll get a partial refund. You’ll be refunded for any periods of 6 months that your IHS payment covered after this date.

The money will be paid to the account or card you used to pay the IHS.

Dependants

If you’re eligible, your dependants can also get a refund.

Apply for a refund

If you’re eligible, you’ll need to contact UKVI with the following details:

• the IHS reference numbers for you and any dependants
• the date you and any dependants paid the IHS
• your Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) number
• your employer’s name

If you have not received your refund

If you’ve applied for a refund but have not yet received it, contact UKVI.

You can apply online for a refund (‘reimbursement’) if either:

• you’re a medical professional and you’re not eligible to apply for a refund, for example because you do not have a Tier 2 (General) visa
• you work in another role in a healthcare setting

Healthcare settings include hospitals, GP practices, care homes and community healthcare facilities.

Eligibility

You must have paid the immigration health surcharge (IHS) and both:

• work for an eligible company or organisation, for example the NHS or the Care Quality Commission (CQC) - read ‘Annex A’ of the detailed guidance to check eligibility
• have worked in your role for at least 6 months, for an average of at least 16 hours a week

The 6 months can include paid leave, such as maternity or statutory sick leave.

You will not be eligible if you were unemployed or had unpaid leave for more than 28 days during the last 6 months.

What you’ll get

You can apply for a refund for one 6-month period at a time, starting on or after 31 March 2020.

Example

You’ll need to apply every 6 months to claim a refund for additional periods of time.

Dependants

If you’re eligible, your dependants can also get a refund. You must include them in your application.

Apply online

To apply, you’ll need:

• your IHS number for the period you’re claiming for
• your National Insurance number
• your email address
• the name of the organisation you work for
• the IHS numbers of any dependants you’re applying for
• a copy of your employment contract
• copies of your payslips for the 6 months you’re claiming for

Example

If you do not have payslips for the full 6 months, you’ll need a signed letter from your employer explaining any gaps (such as if you were on leave).

After you apply

If your application is successful, you’ll be sent the money within 10 weeks. 

It will be sent to the account or card you used to pay for your IHS. If someone else paid, the money will be refunded to them.

Help

Contact the NHS Business Services Authority (BSA) if you need help with your application.

Contact NHSBSA by email

Contact NHSBSA by phone