The IHS Fee in the UK:
Plan Strategically, Avoid Costs
An internship in the United Kingdom is a career booster, but one detail can blow the budget: the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This mandatory state fee of over £1,000 becomes due as soon as the duration of stay exceeds a certain threshold. As a partner of BUNAC & JENZA, we support you in optimizing your project timing so that these costs can be avoided if possible.
What is the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The IHS is a mandatory prepayment for access to the British National Health Service (NHS). For participants in the GAE program, the rate is currently approx. £1,035 per year. The fee is due directly upon visa application – regardless of how often you actually need medical services in the United Kingdom.
The 6-Month Rule: Your Savings
The UK Home Office distinguishes strictly based on the duration stored in the Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS):
You are IHS exempt. Your visa application remains affordable. You only need proof of your private health insurance ($100k coverage).
The full IHS fee (£1,035+) is due immediately. There is no pro-rata calculation for e.g. 7 months.
Expert Advice: Strategic Timing
Often, just 24 hours decide whether you pay over £1,000 to the British state or not. We recommend limiting the internship duration to maximum 6 months if the budget plays a role.
Together with you and your Host Company in the United Kingdom, we check if the Training Plan can be adjusted to stay within the IHS-free zone. The money saved is better invested in your accommodation or travel costs.
Common Questions about IHS
At VisaNerd we sponsor strictly within the US Department of State exchange visitor regulations (22 CFR 62.22) and current BridgeUSA policy. What you read here is how we actually sponsor and what we require, not a general overview of other sponsors. It is practical guidance from our team, not legal advice; your eligibility is confirmed through us as your sponsor contact, and the final visa decision is made by the US consular officer.