The IHS refund scheme has been launched for those working in the NHS or social care sector.
Workers applying for the Health and Care visa are exempt from paying the IHS and those who have previously paid it upfront may be able to claim this back every 6 months.
To be eligible for a refund, the worker must:
- hold a visa that gives you a generic right to work e.g. Tier 5 Youth Mobility Visa, PBS Dependant visa, spousal visa, Student visa (with the right to work up to 20 hours per week during term time);
- have paid the IHS at the time of applying for your visa;
- have worked continuously for at least 6 months commencing on or after 31 March 2020;
- have worked for an average of at least 16 hours per week over the full six month period;
- have worked in an eligible job which means that you must be:
- providing a service which is related to the delivery of health or social care; and
- be employed or engaged by either:
- a recognised health or care provider (e.g. NHS trusts, national NHS bodies); or
- an employer which is registered with an appropriate health or social care services regulator to provide health or care services (e.g. care homes or independent sector healthcare providers registered with the CQC); or
- an employer delivering services that directly support health and social care services (e.g. facilities management services within a hospital, as long as this work is undertaken within a health and care setting).
If the main applicant meets the eligibility criteria, they can also apply for a refund for their dependants.
