Cost of Healthcare Beyond the NHS for Skilled Worker Visa Holders is an increasingly important topic for anyone planning a future in the UK. Securing a Skilled Worker visa is often seen as a gateway to new opportunities, professional growth, stability, and access to essential services. Among those services, healthcare naturally stands out. The National Health Service (NHS) is a cornerstone of life in the UK, but for many newcomers it can feel like only part of the picture. While the NHS provides a foundation of support, it does not always cover every need, nor does it always meet expectations around speed, flexibility, or scope.
This is why so many Skilled Worker visa holders, often referred to as private healthcare UK migrants, begin to weigh their options. The choice is not about rejecting the NHS but about complementing it, bridging the gaps, and planning for themselves and their families. From everyday health concerns to peace of mind during unexpected challenges, private healthcare or insurance can play a role in shaping how comfortable and secure life feels in the UK.
Understanding what the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) provides, where the NHS may leave space for additional support, and how private options might fit into your plans is central in 2025. Making sense of these different layers of healthcare ensures that Skilled Worker visa holders can approach their new chapter with clarity and confidence.
What the NHS Covers via the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)
When Skilled Worker visa holders apply for their visa (or extend it), they are almost always required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). This surcharge gives access to the NHS broadly on similar terms to UK residents while your visa is valid, with some caveats.
Here’s what the IHS grants:
- Access to general practitioner (GP) services, out-patient treatment, and hospital treatment under the NHS.
- Emergency care and treatment for urgent conditions.
- Some diagnostic services are under the NHS.
- Maternity care is part of what the NHS generally offers.
But there are some services and costs that the NHS either does not cover, restricts, or has waiting times for, which leads many visa holders to consider private care. Also, some visa holders are exempt from IHS; notably those on the Health and Care Worker visa.
IHS Cost in 2025
The exact amount varies depending on your visa type and its duration, but here’s the fee structure at a glance:
- For most Skilled Worker visa holders, the IHS is £1,035 per year.
- For applicants under 18 years, and for some students and children, a reduced rate of £776 per year applies.
- Applicants pay upfront for the full period of their leave (visa) in the UK. If part of the leave spans less than a full year, the surcharge may be prorated according to policy.
What NHS Doesn’t Cover, or What May Be More Difficult or Delayed?
Even with IHS, there are areas where using only NHS might mean limitations:
- Prescription charges, dental, optical, and allied health services
In most of the UK, prescriptions, dental check-ups, dental work, glasses/optical services are not fully covered under IHS/NHS or have co-payments or out-of-pocket costs. Many private clinics provide faster access in these areas. - Waiting times
non-emergency treatment under the NHS can come with long waiting periods for specialist appointments or elective surgeries. Those who need quicker access often go private for faster specialist consultations or diagnostics. - Choice of provider
Under the NHS, you generally must use NHS clinics, hospitals or approved partners. Private healthcare lets you pick more freely, often get private rooms, more comfort, and possibly more personal attention. - Certain elective / non-urgent treatments
Procedures that are not considered urgent by the NHS, cosmetic treatments, or elective surgeries often fall outside what the NHS will provide, or may come with a long wait. Private providers fill the gap here.
Private Healthcare and Insurance Options
Given those limitations, many Skilled Worker visa holders look at private healthcare or private health insurance to cover what the NHS / IHS does not. Here are the main options, pros and cons, and rough cost expectations.
Common Private Options:
- Private health insurance from commercial providers.
- Employer-provided health benefits, if your employer offers private healthcare as part of your compensation package.
- Top-up insurance – to cover certain services not covered or subject to long waits on the NHS (for example, private diagnostics, specialists, faster treatment).
- Pay-as-you-go private care without insurance – paying for private services when needed (though this can get expensive if usage is frequent).
Key Factors Affecting Private Healthcare Costs
- Age and health status at policy start.
- Excess/deductible amounts (how much you pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicks in)
- Which services are included: specialist referrals, diagnostics, private hospital room, maternity, etc.
- Whether dependants are covered (partner, children)
- Geographic location: London tends to be more expensive than other parts of the UK.
Recent Changes to Be Aware Of:
1. As of 2025, the IHS rates were updated: for most immigration permission applications, the rate is £1,035 per person per year; for children under 18, students/student dependents, and Youth Mobility Scheme applicants, the rate is £776 per year.
2. People applying under the Health and Care Visa are exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
3. The Health and Care Visa guidance that takes effect on 22 July 2025 clarifies this exemption for applicants and their dependants.
How to Decide Whether Private Healthcare Is Right for You?
Here are some questions and considerations to help Skilled Worker visa holders decide if they should buy private healthcare or insurance:
- How often do you expect to need medical care beyond basic GP/hospital services?
If you have ongoing health issues, need specialist follow-ups, or want faster access, private cover may save you time and stress. - What is your tolerance for NHS wait times?
If you prefer shorter waiting times for diagnostics or specialist appointments, private cover offers more immediacy. - Does your employer offer any health benefits?
Sometimes employers include private insurance or top-ups as part of employment packages — check your contract or HR. - Calculate total cost vs benefit
Compare the cost of premiums + excess vs likely out-of-pocket costs, time waiting for NHS treatment, convenience, and peace of mind. - Check what is excluded
Many private policies exclude pre-existing conditions or have waiting periods, so always read the small print. Also, check whether dependants are covered. - Geographical considerations
Private care is more available in some regions than others; travel time, private hospital density, and service provision vary across the UK.
Final Thoughts!
Healthcare decisions are deeply personal. What works for one Skilled Worker visa holder may not suit another. Before deciding, map out your likely healthcare usage, budget, and priorities: speed, comfort, dependents’ coverage, etc.
For frequent updates on visa-healthcare costs, how policy is shifting, and advice on making the most of both NHS and private options, follow Skilled Worker Mag. Whether you’re budgeting for now or planning long term, staying informed can help you make choices that are both safe and smart.
