presto

Good day!

I was just wondering if anyone had any idea about the IHS exemption for dependants.

Basically on the gov.uk website it says:

Who does not need to pay or get an IHS reference number

• you’re a health and care worker who is eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa (or you’re their dependant)

I'm a dependant of a health care worker, so my understanding is that I will not have to pay an IHS due to the statement above.
However, when I got to the IHS website as part of trying to submit my visa application, it asked me to pay an IHS fee.

Do I have to pay it now and apply for a refund later, or is there another way to get an IHS number (by exemption)?

Thank you!

SanDiegogirl

You get the exemption if you are applying as the dependent of someone who, themselves, is also applying for a Health and Care Worker visa.

You don't get it if you are 'just married' to someone who resides in the UK and is working in the Health service.

From earlier posts you moved to the UK under a spouse visa some 2 years ago.

presto

Yes, I moved to the UK 2 years ago as the partner of someone on a Health and Care worker visa.
My partner got ILR already, and my understanding is my further visa applications will be treated on their previous visa type which is a Health & Care worker visa.
So the guidance is a tad bit confusing (it doesn't clearly specify if its just for new applicants/FLR cases).

SanDiegogirl

Did you get an exemption when you first applied for your spouse visa?

BritInParis

Which visa are you now applying for?

SanDiegogirl

Noted that the Health and Care Worker visa was introduced in 2020?

If your husband is now on ILR I doubt if he entered on that visa.

As you need to pay the IHS in order to complete your current application (FLR(M)) the I suggest you do so and claim refund.