Non-Europeans, including Thai nationals, who plan to stay in the United Kingdom more than six months will have to pay a surcharge to cover health services starting from April 6, the UK embassy says.
The health surcharge will be 150 pounds (7,265 baht) a year for students and 200 pounds for others. Visa applicants can pay the fee when they apply online, it said.
The embassy said the new rule would not be applied to tourists visiting the country.
"We, of course, recognise the very valuable contribution those coming to the UK to study and work make to the wider economy and so have deliberately kept the surcharge at a competitive level — lower than most private health insurance policies," UK ambassador Mark Kent was quoted as saying.
The UK is a top destination for Thai students and tourists.