Who pays for NHS care? The immigration health surcharge explained

If you applied for a UK visa longer than six months, you almost certainly paid the immigration health surcharge (IHS) as part of the application - currently 1,035 pounds per adult per year, with a discounted rate of 776 pounds for students and under-18s. Paying it means you use the NHS broadly like a permanent resident: GP appointments, hospital treatment and maternity care come at no extra charge. Some things still cost money for everyone in England: prescriptions carry a fixed per-item charge, and dental and optical care are charged (children, pregnant women and some low-income patients are exempt). Emergency treatment in A and E and GP registration are free for everybody regardless of status. Keep proof of your IHS payment with your visa records. Short-term visitors without the surcharge can be billed for hospital treatment, so travel insurance matters for visiting family members.