Immigrant Health Surcharge: This video explains all about how this will benefit migrant health workers

By A Staff Reporter

LONDON July 16: NHS and social care staff from abroad will no longer have to pay the £624 immigrant surcharge, Health secretary Matt Hancock announced this week. And they will be eligible to apply for a refund backdated to March 2020, he added.

Mr Hancock said: “All employees working in health and social care will be exempt front the immigrant health surcharge. And all employees in health and social care who have paid the immigration health surcharge on or after the 31 March will be eligible for a reimbursement”.

Febin Cyriac from Envertiz Consultancy has come out with this video on how the new announcement will help the migrant health workers who have been fighting the pandemic.

The Government welcomes the vital contributions which doctors, nurses and other health professionals from overseas make to the National Health Service (NHS) and wider Health and Care Sector.

The Health and Care Visa is part of the Skilled Worker route. It will ensure individuals working in eligible health occupations with a job offer from the NHS, social care sector or employers and organisations which provide services to the NHS, who have good working English, are incentivised to come to the UK.

There will be fast-track entry, with reduced application fees and dedicated support regarding the application process, for eligible individuals to come to the UK with their families. Those who are eligible to apply for the Health and Care Visa, and their dependents, will also be exempt from having to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.

Who can apply?

Individuals of all nationalities who have a confirmed job offer, in one of the defined health professions such as Doctors, Nurses, midwives, social workers, paramedics, Psychologists, Biological scientists and biochemists, Physical Scientists, Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, Ophthalmic Opticians, Dental practitioners, Medical Radiographers, Podiatrists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists & Occupational Therapists for a skilled role within the NHS, the social care sector or for NHS commissioned service providers.

Although eligible applicants will benefit from reduced fees(£464) and an exemption from the Immigration Health Surcharge, both of which will extend to immediate family members, the main applicant must also meet requirements of the Skilled Worker route, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds.

When you can apply?

The Home office publications states, Health & Care Visa would be available from August 2020 but on the parliament, Kevin Foster (Minister for Future Borders and Immigration) said ”applicants would be eligible to apply from 1st October 2020”. Therefore we would need to wait for further updates.

What happened if I already paid IHS ?

If you have paid Immigration Health Surcharge as a part of your application on or after 31st March 2020 would eligible for a refund and you will be contacted by the home office. Although the home office has not confirmed whether Tier-2 dependants of Health care workers would be eligible for a refund on the IHS at this stage.