Chinedu followed his two friends to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport and came out alone while his friends continued their journey to the United Kingdom. The vibrant culture, prestigious universities, and ease of gaining admission have fueled his passion for studying in the UK. He secured admission to his dream program and paid his initial tuition deposit. However, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) seemed a significant hurdle.

What is the Immigration Health Surcharge? IHS is a mandatory fee for non-EEA nationals to access the UK's National Health Service (NHS). Chinedu couldn’t believe that the IHS payment cost was £776 per year, which was substantial when converted to Naira.

IHS Cost for a year

• £776 per year for students, their dependants, and those on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, for example, £1,552 for a 2-year visa
• £776 per year for visa and immigration applicants who are under the age of 18 at the time of application
• £1,035 per year for all other visa and immigration applications, for example, £3,105 for a 3-year visa

The amount applicants must pay depends on the length of their visa received and where they apply from. You do not need to pay the surcharge if you apply outside the UK for 6 months or less.

It was challenging for him to return to his parents, civil servants who had stretched their finances to support his dream of studying abroad. The IHS fee suddenly seemed like it would prevent him from traveling abroad. When he finally got the money, he asked, "How do I pay the UK Immigration Health Surcharge online?”

Chinedu spent hours navigating the internet and understanding the IHS payment process. He was required to use a credit or debit card for the IHS payment online, but his debit card had restrictions on international transactions.

He had to find alternatives for Nigerian students to IHS payment issues. The internet pulled up many students' stories about finding ways to pay this fee. Issues like high transaction costs, limited payment methods, and currency conversion issues didn't sit well with him when making most cross-border payments. 

He stumbled upon Pay4Me, a platform that enables international students to pay their international fees in their local currency within minutes, from the comfort of their own homes. While many people recommended using family and friends in the UK to help them process the payment on their behalf, he didn't want to trust anyone with this money.

When to pay IHS

Chinedu learned that the IHS payment is required for his visa application. What happens if I don't pay the Immigration Health Surcharge? The answer was that his visa application would be denied.

To make his payment,

He:

• Downloaded the Pay4Me App from the App Store.
• Registered and did his KYC.
• Clicked on "Payments" and selected "IHS.”
• Followed all prompts and completed payment via bank transfer.

It took him barely seven minutes to complete this process. The final piece was, "Where can I find my IHS reference number after payment?" A few hours later, he received his IHS reference number via email. Chinedu travelled to Abuja to obtain his biometrics and submit his visa application. 

Weeks later, the good news arrived: his visa was approved. Chinedu’s experience is common among many international students who want to pay their fees abroad. Pay4Me has made it easier for students and travellers to process their IHS fees seamlessly in minutes. Are you thinking of coming to the UK? Every thought and action of studying in the UK ends with making a cross-border payment. With Pay4Me, you don’t have to worry about your payments to any UK university or government organization again.

Who Needs to Pay the IHS Fee?

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) applies to anyone applying for a UK visa and plans to stay in the UK for more than six months. This includes:

• Students
• Workers
• Family members joining UK residents
• Non-Swiss nationals
• Non-European Economic Area nationals
• Individuals applying for a visa extension or switching visas

Is the UK Health Surcharge Mandatory?

Yes, the UK health surcharge (Immigration Health Surcharge or IHS) is mandatory for most foreign nationals applying to stay in the UK for more than six months. This includes international students, workers, and family members joining someone in the UK.

Is the UK Immigration Health Surcharge Refundable?

The UK immigration health surcharge (IHS) is refundable in some cases.

• You get a full refund if your visa is denied.
• You get a refund if you withdraw your application.
• Overpayments are returned automatically.
• If you paid but are exempt, you can claim a refund.

However, you won't get a refund if your visa is granted but you don't travel to the UK or leave the UK before your visa expires.

How to Get Your IHS Payment Receipt?

Once you have paid your IHS fee, you will receive an email receipt confirming your payment. If you don't see the confirmation in your inbox, check your spam folder.

How to Claim a Refund

If you're eligible, you'll receive an automatic refund. The UK immigration office will notify you when the refund is processed. However, if your refund is not processed automatically, you can claim it manually by contacting the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) department. Ensure you provide your IHS reference number, payment confirmation, and visa details to facilitate the process.