Immigration Health Surcharge Fees set to increase on 6th February 2024

Starting from the 6th February 2024, new Immigration Health Surcharge fees will come into effect. This change follows the implementation of the Immigration (Health Charge) Order 2024 on 16th January 2024. The fee will increase from £624 per year to £1035 for adult applicants. The lower rate surcharge will rise from £470 to £776 per year for children.

The updates rates will be applicable to all applications submitted on or after the 6th of February, including those individuals already in the process of an existing immigration route. It is advisable for applicants to submit their applications before the effective date. Click here for more information.

Whilst there is a fee waiver available, obtaining this can be exceptionally challenging. Click here to find out if you are eligible for a Waiver.

Home Office makes a U-turn on the residency rights of EU Citizens:

If an individual was from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, or Liechtenstein, they were able to continue living in the UK post Brexit by applying under the EU settlement Scheme. Applications to the scheme closed in June 2021, but late applications were still considered if there were reasonable grounds for delay.

In August 2023, the Home Office removed "lack of awareness" as a reasonable ground for making a late application. Consequently, those who had mistakenly made late applications due to being unaware of the scheme could no longer apply for permanent residency.

However, the Home Office has recently provided new guidance for caseworkers, restoring lack of awareness as a reasonable ground for late application. Therefore, if an applicant was to miss the deadline, they may be able to remain in the UK if they can show they had a reasonable belief that they did not need to apply earlier to the EU Settlement Scheme or a reasonable basis for being unaware that they needed to apply, and in either case they have now applied without further delay. You must give evidence to support your reasonable ground, which explains the reason why you could not apply, and covers the period since the deadline passed. To apply to the EU settlement scheme, click the following link here.

It is important to note that if you have indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK, Irish Citizenship, or a Frontier Work permit, you need not apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.