Immigration healthcare surcharge for international students
Updated on: 29 May 2024
Find out who must pay the immigration healthcare surcharge before arriving in the UK, and how much it costs.
You’ll need to pay the immigration healthcare surcharge if you are studying a course that lasts longer than six months and you require a student visa. It allows you to access the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and receive medical care, as UK nationals do.
Go to the UK Government website to:
Visiting and short-term students
If you are coming to Scotland to study full time and you live here lawfully, you can access healthcare from the NHS from the day you arrive until one month after your course finishes.
Students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who are studying courses that last less than three months are not eligible for free NHS treatment and must get private healthcare insurance.
Medical insurance
NHS treatment options may be different than what you are used to in your home country. Some students choose to also pay for private health insurance to allow access to a wider choice of treatments, shorter waiting times, and better hospital accommodation.
Refunds
Refunds are strictly controlled and only available in specific situations. Read the UK government’s website to find out what circumstances would allow you to get an immigration healthcare surcharge refund.
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