This Order amends the Immigration (Health Charge) Order 2015 (S.I. 2015/792), which requires a person who applies for entry clearance for a limited period, or for limited leave to remain in the United Kingdom, to pay an immigration health charge.

Article 2 amends Schedule 1 to the Principal Order which specified the annual amount of the immigration health charge in respect of different types of applications. In respect of applications by students, dependants of students, persons applying for leave to enter or remain under Appendix Youth Mobility Scheme and all other applications for entry clearance or leave to remain made in respect of persons aged under 18 years at the date of application, whether that person is the applicant or a dependant of the applicant, the annual amount is increased from £470 to £776. In respect of all other applications for entry clearance or leave to remain made in respect of persons aged 18 years or over at the date of application, the annual amount is increased from £624 to £1,035.

Article 3 amends Schedule 2 to the Principal Order which sets out the situations in which applicants for entry clearance or leave to remain are exempt from paying the immigration health charge. Article 3(2)(a), (b) and (c) provides that an applicant for leave to remain under Appendix Domestic Worker who is a Victim of Modern Slavery, Appendix Temporary Permission to Stay for Victims of Human Trafficking or Slavery or Appendix Statelessness is exempt from the charge. Article 3(2)(e) makes amendments to ensure that certain NHS workers and their dependants continue to be exempt from payment of the immigration health charge. Article 3(2)(f) provides that an applicant for leave to enter or leave to remain under Appendix Ukraine Scheme is exempt from the charge.

Article 4 makes transitional provision so that the amendments made to the Principal Order by this Order do not apply to an application for leave to enter or leave to remain made before this Order comes into force.

A full impact assessment of the effect that this instrument will have on the costs of business, the voluntary sector and community bodies is submitted alongside the Explanatory Memorandum which is available alongside the instrument on www.legislation.gov.uk. A hard copy can be obtained by writing to the Immigration Health Charge Policy Team, Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF.