For 6-month stay in UK, pay health surcharge
With less than two months to go for the general election in the UK, the government has clamped down on migrant benefits. From April 6, nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including those from India, coming to live in the UK for longer than six months will be required to pay a 'health surcharge' to gain access to the National Health Service (NHS).
So, Indians will have to pay an additional £200 per year (Rs 19,000) as health surcharge as a fresh fee. Students will have to pay £150 (Rs 14,000). The new fee is bound to hit the already dipping market of Indian students visiting Britain for higher education. Indians coming on an intra-company transfer (ICT Tier 2 visa) will, however, be exempt from the charge. Visa applicants will need to pay upfront for the total period of their UK visa.
Till now, non-EEA nationals coming to work, study or join family members have received free medical treatment under the UK's NHS in the same way as a permanent resident.
Immigration has become a major topic for the upcoming general election, with most political parties promising either to cut down on the number of foreigners allowed to come into the UK to work or curbing the benefits they receive. "International students cost the NHS around £430 million per year and over £700 per head," the Foreign & Commonwealth Office said in a statement. "The surcharge for students will be just £150 per year, a fraction of their true cost to the NHS. It is 1% of the cost of studying in the UK and is well below the price students pay for private health insurance in competitor countries, such as Australia and the USA."
British immigration and security minister James Brokenshire said: "The health surcharge will play a vital role in ensuring Britain's most cherished public service is provided on a basis that is fair to all. For generations, the British public have paid their taxes to help make the NHS what it is today — the surcharge will mean temporary migrants will also pay their way."
UK's visas and immigration department has made it clear that visas will not be granted to applicants if the health surcharge is not paid. When an application is refused, rejected or withdrawn, the charge will be refunded. The changes, however, will not affect visitors coming to the UK on a standard visit visa, regardless of its length.
Indians staying longer than six months will have to pay an additional £200 per year as health surcharge as a fresh fee.
With less than two months to go for the general election in the UK, the government has clamped down on migrant benefits. From April 6, nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including those from India, coming to live in the UK for longer than six months will be required to pay a 'health surcharge' to gain access to the National Health Service (NHS).
So, Indians will have to pay an additional £200 per year (Rs 19,000) as health surcharge as a fresh fee. Students will have to pay £150 (Rs 14,000). The new fee is bound to hit the already dipping market of Indian students visiting Britain for higher education. Indians coming on an intra-company transfer (ICT Tier 2 visa) will, however, be exempt from the charge. Visa applicants will need to pay upfront for the total period of their UK visa.
Till now, non-EEA nationals coming to work, study or join family members have received free medical treatment under the UK's NHS in the same way as a permanent resident.
Immigration has become a major topic for the upcoming general election, with most political parties promising either to cut down on the number of foreigners allowed to come into the UK to work or curbing the benefits they receive. "International students cost the NHS around £430 million per year and over £700 per head," the Foreign & Commonwealth Office said in a statement. "The surcharge for students will be just £150 per year, a fraction of their true cost to the NHS. It is 1% of the cost of studying in the UK and is well below the price students pay for private health insurance in competitor countries, such as Australia and the USA."
British immigration and security minister James Brokenshire said: "The health surcharge will play a vital role in ensuring Britain's most cherished public service is provided on a basis that is fair to all. For generations, the British public have paid their taxes to help make the NHS what it is today — the surcharge will mean temporary migrants will also pay their way."
UK's visas and immigration department has made it clear that visas will not be granted to applicants if the health surcharge is not paid. When an application is refused, rejected or withdrawn, the charge will be refunded. The changes, however, will not affect visitors coming to the UK on a standard visit visa, regardless of its length.
Indians staying longer than six months will have to pay an additional £200 per year as health surcharge as a fresh fee.
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