For overseas businesses seeking to establish a presence in the United Kingdom, the Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker visa provides a dedicated route that allows senior managers and specialist employees to be temporarily assigned to the UK to set up and develop a new UK entity. Whilst the Immigration Skills Charge does not apply to this route, the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) remains a mandatory upfront cost for both the main applicant and any accompanying dependants.
Understanding how the IHS is calculated, what it covers, when it must be paid, and when a refund may be available is therefore an important part of planning and budgeting for any Expansion Worker visa application. This article sets out the full framework, with worked examples to illustrate the most common scenarios.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The immigration health surcharge is a mandatory contribution to the National Health Service (NHS) that most applicants for a UK visa of more than six months are required to pay in full before their application can be processed. Payment of the IHS entitles the visa holder to access NHS healthcare services on broadly the same basis as a UK resident for the duration of their leave, including consultations with a General Practitioner, hospital treatment, and specialist services where appropriate.
The surcharge does not, however, cover all NHS services. Applicants and their dependants will still be required to pay standard NHS charges for prescriptions, dental treatment, optical services, and assisted conception, in the same way as any other UK resident.
Having private medical insurance does not exempt an applicant from the IHS. It must be paid regardless of any alternative health coverage the applicant may hold.
Does the IHS Apply to Expansion Worker Visa Applicants?
Yes. The immigration health surcharge applies to all applicants for a UK Expansion Worker visa, including any dependants who apply to accompany or join the main applicant in the UK. There is no general exemption from the IHS for this route.
It is worth noting that, unlike the Skilled Worker visa, sponsors of Expansion Worker visa holders are not required to pay the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC). However, the IHS obligation falls on the applicant personally and must be paid upfront as part of the visa application process.
The only categories exempt from the IHS more broadly include applicants for certain settlement routes, EU Settlement Scheme applicants, and eligible Health and Care Worker visa applicants and their dependants. None of these exemptions apply to the Expansion Worker route.
Current Immigration Health Surcharge Rates
The current IHS rates, which have been in force since February 2024, are as follows:
How to Calculate the IHS for an Expansion Worker Visa Application
The immigration health surcharge is calculated based on the length of the visa being applied for, rounded up to the nearest six-month block. The total amount due is determined by the following rules:
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If the visa period is six months or less (which only applies to in-country applications, as entry clearance applications are typically for at least 12 months), the IHS is charged at half the annual rate.
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If the visa period includes any portion of a year that is more than six months, the full annual rate applies for that year.
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If the visa period includes any portion that is six months or less, the half-year rate applies for that partial period.
The UK Expansion Worker visa is initially granted for up to 12 months from the start date of employment specified on the Certificate of Sponsorship, or 14 days after the end date on the Certificate of Sponsorship, whichever is shorter. Extensions are possible, but the maximum total period of leave to remain on this route can only reach up to two years. Anyone wanting to stay for longer period would have to switch their visa to other routes like Skilled Worker Visa.
Step-by-Step Calculation Guide
Worked Example: Main Applicant Only (12-Month Expansion Worker Visa)
A main applicant applies for a UK Expansion Worker visa for 12 months from outside the UK. The applicant is an adult.
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Visa duration
12 months (1 full year)
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Annual IHS rate for adults
£1,035
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Total IHS payable
£1,035
Worked Example: Main Applicant with Dependants (12-Month Expansion Worker Visa)
A main applicant applies for a 12-month Expansion Worker visa. The applicant will be accompanied by a dependant partner (adult) and one dependant child who is aged 14 at the time of application.
The total IHS payable across the entire family application is £2,846, which must be paid in full before the applications can be submitted.
Worked Example: Extension Application (Further 12 Months)
An Expansion Worker who was initially granted 12 months of leave subsequently applies to extend their stay for a further 12 months from within the UK. At the point of extension, a fresh IHS payment is required for the new period of leave being sought. The applicant cannot offset or carry forward any credit from the original IHS payment.
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Visa extension period
12 months
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Annual IHS rate for adults
£1,035
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Total IHS payable on extension
£1,035
This means that, across an initial 12-month grant and a 12-month extension, a single adult main applicant would pay £2,070 in IHS in total over the two applications.
How to Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge
The IHS must be paid through the UK Visas and Immigration online payment portal as part of the visa application process. Payment is made before the application is formally submitted and is a mandatory step without which the application cannot proceed. If the IHS is not paid at the correct time, UKVI may issue a payment request, but failure to pay will ultimately result in the application being treated as invalid.
Step-by-Step Payment Process
When Immigration Health Surcharge Refunds Are Available
In most circumstances, once an Expansion Worker visa has been granted and the applicant takes up residence in the UK, the IHS is non-refundable even if the applicant leaves the UK before the end of the visa period or chooses not to use NHS services. However, certain specific events may give rise to a full or partial refund.
Full Refund
A full refund of the IHS will be issued automatically in the following circumstances:
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The visa application is refused by UKVI.
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The visa application is withdrawn by the applicant before a decision is made.
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Any dependant included in the application is refused a visa; their IHS payment will be refunded separately.
Full refunds are generally processed automatically within approximately six weeks of the relevant decision or withdrawal. No separate claim typically needs to be submitted by the applicant.
Partial Refund
A partial refund of the IHS may be available in the following circumstances:
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The visa is granted for a shorter period than the duration applied for. In this case, the applicant will receive a refund for the overpaid period, calculated to the nearest half-year block.
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The IHS has been paid twice for the same period of leave, for example where an applicant pays IHS on an extension application that overlaps with a period already covered by the original IHS payment. A refund for the overlapping period will be issued, rounded down to the nearest six months.
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A dependant was charged for the maximum route period rather than the actual grant period awarded to the main applicant. This is a known portal calculation issue and affected applicants should contact UKVI to claim the overpayment.
No Refund
No refund of the IHS is available in the following circumstances:
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The applicant leaves the UK voluntarily before the end of their visa period. The IHS is tied to the permission granted, not to the time physically spent in the UK.
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The applicant switches to a different visa route. A fresh IHS liability arises on the new application, and no credit is given for the unused period on the previous visa.
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The applicant does not use NHS services during their leave. The surcharge is not contingent on actual usage of the NHS.
Common Scenarios and Refund Outcomes
The following table summarises the refund position in common scenarios relevant to Expansion Worker visa applicants:
Practical Considerations for Sponsors and Applicants
Conclusion
The Immigration Health Surcharge is a significant and mandatory upfront cost for all UK Expansion Worker visa applicants and their accompanying dependants. Correct calculation of the IHS, timely payment through the UKVI online portal, and careful retention of IHS reference numbers are all essential steps in ensuring a visa application proceeds without delay.
Understanding when refunds are and are not available is equally important for accurate financial planning. In most cases where a visa is granted and the applicant takes up residence, the IHS will not be refunded regardless of how long the applicant remains in the UK or whether NHS services are used.
Sponsors and applicants seeking further guidance on the IHS or the Expansion Worker visa route more generally are encouraged to consult the official GOV.UK guidance or seek specialist immigration advice.
