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Overseas Students: Health Services

Asked by Mary Kelly FoyLabourDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 1 May 2025UIN 47323

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will take steps with Cabinet colleagues to remove the immigration health surcharge for international students.

Answered by Janet Daby

It is right that international students pay the immigration health surcharge (IHS), which sees them make a financial contribution to the comprehensive range of NHS services available to them during their stay in the UK. Students are subject to the discounted rate of £776 per person, per year.

This government currently has no plans to remove the IHS for international students. We have, however, made clear that our overall approach is to welcome international students who enrich our university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with our domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK.

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