Immigration health surcharge refunds

Last updated 14 October 2026

The immigration health surcharge is paid upfront for the full period of leave applied for. In defined situations some or all of it is refunded automatically; in others you have to claim.

Automatic full refunds

Your application is refused, including after any appeal or review.
You withdraw the application before a decision.
Your application is rejected as invalid.

The refund is made to the card used, usually within a few weeks of the decision.

Partial refunds

You are granted less leave than you applied for, so you paid for more years than you received.
You overpaid, for example by paying the adult rate for a child or student.

Refunds you have to claim

Health and care workers who paid the surcharge but were eligible for the Health and Care Worker visa or worked in an eligible health role can claim a reimbursement for the period of eligible work.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with an S1 certificate, or students with a European Health Insurance Card who do not intend to work, can claim a refund.

No refund

The surcharge is not refunded because you left the UK early, did not use the NHS, or changed to a visa with no surcharge part-way through, except where the rules above apply.

Timing

Automatic refunds usually arrive within six weeks of the decision. Claimed refunds take longer. If a refund is overdue, use the Home Office's health surcharge contact route and keep the reference number.