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Health and social care staff can claim immigration health surcharge refund
The scheme to exempt non-EEA nationals applying for a health and care visa to work in a health or social care setting, in an eligible occupation, from paying the immigration health surcharge (IHS) has launched.
The IHS allows non-EEA nationals to access the NHS on broadly the same basis as UK residents if they are seeking to work, study, or join family members for more than six months.
The Government's Tier 2 Health and Care visa launched in August exempted eligible staff from paying the IHS. The new reimbursement scheme goes further to ensure that staff not covered by the visa, but who have worked in the NHS or care sector since 31 March 2020 are able to claim reimbursement for themselves and their dependents, even if they paid the surcharge before this date.
Those eligible can now apply online and access guidance on claiming the reimbursement which will be paid in six-month instalments.
Anyone holding a relevant visa, who has worked in health and social care continuously for at least six months and paid the IHS will be eligible for a reimbursement.
