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Immigration Health Surcharge Raises NHS Funding, Faces Shortfall

By Drooid · Oct 22, 2026, 2:05 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

NHS receives billions from the Immigration Health Surcharge paid by most visa holders.
The surcharge rose 400% to £1,035 per year after a February 2024 increase.
Revenue reached almost £2.5 billion in 2024/25, then fell to £2.3 billion in 2025/26.
IHS contributions now exceed 1% of the NHS budget, up from 0.1% in 2015/16.
Net migration fell to 171,000 by December 2025, which could leave the NHS billions short.

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Story summary

NHS receives billions from the Immigration Health Surcharge paid by most visa holders.
The surcharge rose 400% to £1,035 per year after a February 2024 increase.
Revenue reached almost £2.5 billion in 2024/25, then fell to £2.3 billion in 2025/26.
IHS contributions now exceed 1% of the NHS budget, up from 0.1% in 2015/16.
Net migration fell to 171,000 by December 2025, which could leave the NHS billions short.