In a disappointingly timed move, last week the final step was taken by the Government which will see the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) double on 8 January 2018.
This leaves applicants who cannot afford the higher charges a very short window in which to prepare and file their applications.
We previously confirmed that the requisite draft legislation had been approved by both Houses of Parliament on 28 November 2018. This meant that if the Order was made (i.e. signed by the Immigration Minister) immediately, it could have come into force as from 19 December 2018 (a period of 21 days must pass between the Order being made and coming into force).
The Immigration Minister, Caroline Noakes, did not make the Order immediately and eventually signed it on 18 December 2018. The Immigration (Health Charge) (Amendment) Order 2018 therefore comes into force on 8 January 2019, 21 days after it was made.
Information on the Statutory Instruments procedure, explaining the process and timings, can be found here.
For further information, please contact us.
