7 Year Child Route Application Fees in 2026

A 7 year old child route application for permission to stay costs £1,407 per person, plus the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 a year for a child (£1,035 a year for an adult). An application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) costs £3,226 per person, with no health surcharge. These Home Office fees have applied since 8 April 2026 and are unchanged in the 8 October 2026 fee table.

Costs depend on whether the child applies for permission or ILR, how long a grant is requested, and how many family members apply. This page sets out each figure. For the full route, see our 7-year child route guide.

Table of Contents

What are the Home Office fees for the 7-year child route?

There are two main fees: £1,407 for permission to stay and £3,226 for ILR. Each applicant pays separately, including every child.

• Permission to stay on private life (child, 30 or 60 months): £1,407, plus health surcharge of £776 per year
• Permission to stay for a parent or young adult: £1,407, plus health surcharge of £1,035 per year
• ILR (settlement), any age: £3,226, no surcharge
• Register a child as British (MN1): £1,000, no surcharge
• Life in the UK test (adults at ILR): £50

The ILR fee rose from £3,029 to £3,226 on 8 April 2026. The child citizenship registration fee fell from £1,214 to £1,000 on the same date.

How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge?

The surcharge is paid upfront for the whole length of the grant: £776 a year for a child and £1,035 a year for an adult. It gives access to the NHS on the same basis as a permanent resident.

• 30-month grant: child £1,940; adult £2,587.50
• 60-month grant: child £3,880; adult £5,175

No surcharge is payable at ILR stage.

What does a typical family pay?

A family of two parents and one child on 30-month grants pays about £11,336 in Home Office costs. A UK-born child applying straight for ILR pays £3,226.

• UK-born child, direct ILR: £3,226 fee + £0 surcharge = £3,226
• Child born abroad, 30 months: £1,407 fee + £1,940 surcharge = £3,347
• Child born abroad, 60 months: £1,407 fee + £3,880 surcharge = £5,287
• Two parents + one child, all 30 months: £4,221 fees + £7,115 surcharge = £11,336

These figures exclude optional priority services and legal fees. A 30-month grant needs a further £1,407 plus surcharge before ILR; a 60-month grant does not.

Can we get a fee waiver?

Yes, a fee waiver is available for permission to stay on the private life route if the family cannot afford the fee. It can cover the application fee and the health surcharge. There is no fee waiver for ILR.

You may qualify if:

• You cannot meet the fee without going without essential living needs
• The child's welfare would be affected by paying
• You are destitute, or paying would leave you destitute

Apply for the waiver first. If granted, you then submit the main application within the time given. See the evidence list on our documents checklist.

What changed for fee waivers in October 2026?

From 8 October 2026, HC 584 ties a fee waiver request to the route you go on to apply for. If you ask for a waiver for a private life application, the waiver date only protects that application. You cannot use it as an anchor for a different visa route.

This matters for section 3C leave, which protects people who apply before their permission expires. Get advice before using a fee waiver as part of an extension strategy. See 7 year child rule changes 2026.

Are priority services available?

Priority (£500) and super priority (£1,000) services are available on some in-country routes. Availability for private life applications varies, so check GOV.UK when you apply. These fees are per applicant and on top of the main fee. See processing time.

Are fees refunded if the application is refused?

The application fee is not refunded after a decision is made. The Immigration Health Surcharge is normally refunded if permission is refused. A good application costs less than a refused one.

What other costs should families budget for?

Beyond Home Office fees, families may pay for translations, records and legal help.

• Certified translations of foreign documents
• Fees some GP surgeries or schools charge for copies of records
• Expert reports, such as an independent social worker, in complex cases
• Optional priority services
• Legal fees

How Moeen & Co. Solicitors keeps costs predictable

We give clear advice on which grant to apply for and whether a fee waiver fits, before you pay anything to the Home Office. Choosing ILR over permission for a UK-born child, or 60 months over 30, can save thousands.

Speak to Moeen & Co. Solicitors for expert immigration advice. Call us today on 0203 959 7755 to discuss your application and get guidance on the process and expected waiting times.

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