Posted by Helen Murphie, Partner
On 1 September 2016 Withy King LLP merged with Royds LLP. The trading name for the merged firm is Royds Withy King. All content produced prior to this date will remain in the name of the firms pre-merger.
NHS fee for migrants
The much debated NHS surcharge is expected to come into effect in April 2015. The annual fee will be applicable to all non EEA citizens who are applying for visas under the Points Based System – namely Tier 1, Tier 2 (excluding Intra Company Transfers) Tier 4 and Tier 5. An applicant will have to pay the fee as part of the visa application or extension process. The fee is expected to be £200 per year which is likely to be payable up front at the point of application or extension. The total amount payable will depend on the length of the visa: for example, a Tier 2 (General) migrant making a five year visa application would need to pay the annual amount for all five years up front, which amounts to £1,000 in addition to Home Office visa Application fees. The fee will also apply to any applications from dependents, for example, a spouse or the applicant’s child.
Students will be subject to a lesser charge of £150 for each year of expected stay in the UK. Tier 2 Intra Company Transfer migrants will be exempt from the fee and will be able to access the NHS free of charge. Anyone coming to the UK for less than six months (eg visit visas) will not be liable to pay the fee. In most cases, payment will be taken in advance of care being provided except in emergency situations. All EU migrants and visitors will be required to show a European Health Insurance Card in order to avoid being charged.
For more information, contact Helen Murphie, Partner Employment and Business Immigration on 0207 583 2222.