If your child will be studying in the UK on a Child Student Visa (previously known as Tier 4), the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee that must be paid as part of the visa application process.

The IHS grants full access to the NHS (National Health Service), the UK’s publicly funded healthcare system, meaning your child can receive medical treatment, GP visits, hospital care, and emergency services if needed during their time in the UK, without additional charges for most services.

Access is granted on the same terms as a UK resident, meaning standard NHS co-payments (for prescriptions, routine dental care etc.) still apply.

As of 2025, the IHS is £776 per year of the visa’s duration, and is paid in full at the time of application. This fee is subject to change, so families should always check the latest amount on the official UK government website before applying.

In addition to tuition, boarding fees, and other living expenses, families should budget for the IHS as a key part of the overall cost of studying in the UK.

While NHS access is comprehensive, some families also choose to take out supplementary private health insurance to cover extras such as faster access to certain treatments or dental and optical care.

In addition, parents must ensure that they meet the Mandatory Maintenance Requirements of the Child Student Visa. To do this, they will need to:

• Prove they hold enough funds to cover the full outstanding cost of boarding and tuition for one academic year, as specified in the school’s CAS.

  As is the case with the mandatory maintenance requirements for university students, all funds must adhere to the 28-Day Rule and Currency Conversion Rules.

  The Mandatory Maintenance Requirement: Key Compliance Rules

  • 28-Day Rule: The total amount required (tuition fee plus maintenance funds) must be held in a bank account for a continuous period of at least 28 days before the date the visa application is submitted.

  • Currency Conversion: If the funds are held in a currency other than GBP, the UKVI will use the official OANDA exchange rate on the date of the online application.

  • Source of Funds: The funds must be readily available (not in investments or cryptocurrency) and generally in the student or their parent’s names.