Using previous IHS number

Hi all

I am currently on a skilled worker visa for which IHS is paid until July 2024. I am switching to GTV and applying for 1 year only (because that's what I need before I am eligible for ILR), i.e. expiry date is September 2023. Can I use my old IHS number since it covers that period? Or should I repay again and wait for a refund (apparently, you cannot claim or apply for refund, you just wait).

best regards
Hachem

Can I use my old IHS number since it covers that period?

No

Or should I repay again and wait for a refund (apparently, you cannot claim or apply for refund, you just wait).

Yes. You might get a refund, you might not. It can also take several weeks.

Thanks for the response.

CR001 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 28, 2022 3:56 pm

Yes. You might get a refund, you might not. It can also take several weeks.

Strange that there is no clear guidance on that. At least none that I was able to find. Such thing should be stated clearly.

Do you know what will happen if I enter my old IHS? the application seem to continue without errors, but I assume they don't check it at that point.

The application form does not give you any option to enter any IHS numbers. It would automatically take you to the IHS payment page.

I recently got my visa updated, and had to pay IHS again. Because of double payment, you should be eligible for a refund.

RowanDrive wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 28, 2022 7:09 pm

Strange that there is no clear guidance on that. At least none that I was able to find. Such thing should be stated clearly.

Actually there is a statement explaining this on the UKVI webiste IHS refund:

You’ll get a full immigration health surcharge (IHS) refund if:

you paid twice
your visa application is refused
you withdraw your visa application

You’ll get a partial IHS refund if your visa application’s successful but:

you get less time on your visa than you asked for
any dependants on your visa application are refused
If you are due a full or partial refund for these reasons, you do not have to do anything to get it. It will be automatically paid to the account or card you paid with.

The underlined section applies to you. Bear in mind that this process is not immediate and can take several weeks, even more than the guidance suggests.