The NHS Surcharge or Immigration Health Surcharge must be paid in order for your Thai wife to obtain a UK Spouse Visa. It will entitle your wife to free healthcare from the NHS (excluding prescriptions, optical and dental care). It was first introduced in 2015 and means that your Thai wife will not need to pay a fee at a doctor’s surgery, clinic or hospital.
How Much is the NHS Immigration Surcharge?
The surcharge is set at £200 per applicant regardless of if that is your spouse or a Thai dependent child. The charge is payable for the entire period of leave granted and must be paid upfront along with the visa fee pharmacieinde.com. If you are applying online, the total cost, including the NHS Surcharge, will be calculated at the time of application. If your visa is refused, the surcharge will be refunded.
Who Must Pay the Surcharge?
Essentially, the charge must be paid by all long-term visa applicants meaning that those on either a UK Tourist Visa or UK Fiancée Visa are not eligible for free NHS healthcare. Those that do need to apply include:
- UK Settlement Visa Applicants such as a UK Spouse Visa
- Further, Leave to Remain, Applicants,
- Indefinite Leave to Remain, Applicants,
How can Thai Visa Express Help?
Thai Visa Express is a team of professional immigration consultants who are always ready to assist you with your UK visa application in Thailand. We have over 15 years of experience dealing with UK visas & immigration daily, and we are regulated by the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) in the UK. We offer a free 30-minute consultation from one of our designated caseworkers, contact us today.