From 1 October 2020, overseas NHS and social care workers are able to request a refund of their Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) payment (£400 per year) made as part of their visa applications.
Although Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced in May that overseas NHS and care workers would not be required to pay to use the health service, it was not until August that the newly launched Tier 2 health and care visa category exempted those eligible from the relevant payment.
The new refund system is for those working in NHS and care homes who have arrived in the UK prior to August and who therefore hold a different visa, and who as a result had to pay the IHS fee as part of their visa application. Refunds will be backdated to 31 March 2020, so reimbursement can be claimed for the period from April to September. It should be noted that those on a Tier 2 (General) visa cannot use the online refund process, and must email [email protected] to have their request processed.
If you require any assistance in confirming your eligibility for the refund or would like help with claiming the refund, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please don’t hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.
©Gherson 2020
Consultant solicitor
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