Full list of UK visa, immigration, nationality and sponsorship cost rises from April 2026
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alexp@vanessaganguin.com +44 20 4551 4906 +44 (0) 7377 375312 |
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alexp@vanessaganguin.com +44 20 4551 4906 +44 (0) 7377 375312 |
7 April 2026
The Home Office has confirmed new immigration, nationality and passport fee increases from 8 April 2026, with most charges rising by 6-7%. This may not seem like much, but for example, applying to settle will now cost £3,226 – an application that was free until as recently as 2003, when a fee of £155 was introduced, and almost double what it cost in 2017 when I started practising immigration law.
Nations’ immigration systems cannot be compared directly with each other, but under successive governments the UK has undoubtably made its immigration and nationality fees among the most expensive in the world. The one bit of good-ish news in April 2026’s immigration fee changes is that after much campaigning, child citizenship registration fees fall – but only by around a fifth from £1,214 to £1,000.
Key UK immigration costs from 8 April 2026
- Visitor visa (up to six months): £135 (up from £127)
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): £20 (up from £16)
- Student visa: £558 (up from £524)
- Skilled Worker visa (up to three years): £943 (up from £885)
- Spouses, partners and children applying for family visas: £2,064 (up from £1,938)
- Indefinite Leave to Remain (Settlement): £3,226 (up from £3,029)
- Naturalisation (Citizenship): £1,709 (up from £1,605)
- Immigration Skills Charge (sponsors must pay): for each sponsored worker £480 for first year, followed by £240 for each additional six months for small or charitable sponsors; £1,320 for first year, followed by £660 every six months for medium or large sponsors
How much does it cost to sponsor a worker in 2026?
Assuming the sponsor is a small sponsor which already has a sponsor licence (which will now cost £611), the cost of sponsoring a Skilled Worker for five years will now cost as much as £12,493. This is made up of £2,400 in Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) fees, £525 for the Certificate of Sponsorship, £5,175 in Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees and £1,618 in visa application fees. If priority service is required, there would be a further charge for this.
A sponsor is allowed to ask workers to foot the bill for the actual visa application and the Immigration Health Surcharge, which in this example would bring the cost down to £5,700.
These figures do not include legal fees, though the increasingly complex rules that sponsors are required to navigate will generally require the assistance of a lawyer. To get an idea of legal costs, our fees can be found here.
What immigration costs can a sponsor pass on to a sponsored worker?
There are some fees that a sponsor can pass on to a sponsored worker and any dependants joining them on their route, such as the Home Office visa application fee and IHS. However, sponsorship costs such as the ISC fees and the cost of obtaining a sponsor licence and Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), including legal advice involved, can never be passed to the sponsored worker or recouped from them as this risks severe consequences such as losing a sponsorship licence. You can find more details here.
Who is exempt from paying UK immigration fees?
There are exemptions from immigration fees for applicants for asylum, humanitarian routes, the Ukraine schemes, applications under the domestic violence and trafficking rules and EU Settlement Scheme applications.
People who cannot afford in country or out of country applications, including child citizenship applications can apply for a fee waiver – you can find the guidance here.
There are also certain exemptions for employers paying the Immigration Skills Charge, for instance if they are sponsoring certain science, research and academic occupations. These exemptions can be found here.
What about the Immigration Health Surcharge?
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a mandatory fee payable at the same time as visa applications to allow access to the UK’s National Health Service (NHS). In 2024 this was raised to £1,035 per year of the visa application and £776 for under-18s, students and their dependants and Youth Mobility Scheme applicants. For periods of between six and 12 months, IHS costs £517.50 and £388 for students for under-18s, students and their dependants and Youth Mobility Scheme applicants.
Those applying to stay for six months or under need not pay the IHS, nor do health and care workers applying for Health and Care worker visas or their dependants, EUSS applicants, Ukraine scheme applicants, asylum seekers, trafficking survivors or children in care. There are other exemptions which can be found here.
The full set of immigration fees as of 8 April 2026 can be found below. Don’t expect this to be the last time these fees rise and please contact us on 0207 033 9527 or at enquiries@vanessaganguin.com for any clarifications. Paying the incorrect fee can result in application delays or rejection.
How much do non-work visa applications made outside the UK cost?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Visit visa – short up to 6 months | £127 | £135 | £8 |
| Visit visa – long up to 2 years | £475 | £506 | £31 |
| Visit visa – Chinese national applying in mainland China under the Chinese visa scheme for up to 2 years | £127 | £135 | £8 |
| Visit visa – long up to 5 years | £848 | £903 | £55 |
| Visit visa – long up to 10 years | £1,059 | £1,128 | £69 |
| Visiting academic – more than 6 months but no more than 12 months | £220 | £234 | £14 |
| Private medical treatment visa – more than 6 months but not more than 11 months | £220 | £234 | £14 |
| Transit visa – (direct airside transit) | £39 | £41.50 | £2.50 |
| Transit visit visa – (landside transit) | £70 | £74.50 | £4.50 |
| Visa for the purpose of joining a ship or aircraft as a member of the crew of that ship or aircraft | £70 | £74.50 | £4.50 |
| Single-entry visa to replace a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) | £154 | £154 | £0 |
| Certificate of Entitlement Nationality Right of Abode (outside the UK) | £589 | £589 | £0 |
| Transfer of Conditions (Vignette Transfer) application made overseas | £154 | £154 | £0 |
| Other visa | £682 | £726 | £44 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 30 months – main applicant and dependants | £193 | £206 | £13 |
| Hong Kong British National (Overseas) for 5 years – main applicant and dependants | £268 | £285 | £17 |
| Route to Settlement (including spouse and children applying for entry clearance as family under Appendix FM) | £1,938 | £2,064 | £126 |
| Route to Settlement – other dependant relative | £3,413 | £3,635 | £222 |
| Route to Settlement – refugee dependant relative | £424 | £452 | £28 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as the dependant of an HM Armed Forces service leaver or a member of HM Armed Forces under Appendix HM Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules | £3,029 | £3,226 | £197 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as an HM Armed Forces service leaver or a member of HM Armed Forces under Appendix HM Armed Forces to the Immigration Rules | £3,029 | £3,226 | £197 |
| Call out/out of hours fee (per hour/part hour) – service of consular officers | £142 | £142 | £0 |
| Receiving, preparing and forwarding documents – consular functions | £141 | £141 | £0 |
| Administrative review | £80 | £80 | £0 |
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | £16 | £20 | £4 |
| Indefinite leave to enter the UK as a victim of domestic abuse and dependent children under Appendix Victim of Domestic Abuse to the Immigration Rules | £3,029 | £3,226 | £197 |
How much do work visa and business immigration applications made outside the UK cost?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Innovator Founder – main applicant and dependants | £1,274 | £1,357 | £83 |
| Endorsement fee under Innovator Founder route (payable to endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1,000 | £1,000 | £0 |
| Contact point meeting with endorsing body under Innovator Founder route (payable to endorsing body) excluding VAT | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| Start-up – main applicant and dependants | £465 | £495 | £30 |
| Approval letter from a competent body in respect of an initial application for Global Talent | £561 | £561 | £0 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is required | £205 | £205 | £0 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is not required | £766 | £766 | £0 |
| Global Talent – dependants only | £766 | £766 | £0 |
| Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) – dependants only | £766 | £766 | £0 |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – dependants only | £1,274 | £1,357 | £83 |
| Tier 1 (Investor) – main applicant and dependants | £2,000 | £2,000 | £0 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £769 | £819 | £50 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,519 | £1,618 | £99 |
| Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,160 | £1,235 | £75 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £304 | £324 | £20 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £304 | £324 | £20 |
| Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| T2 Minister of Religion – main applicant and dependants | £769 | £819 | £50 |
| International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 12 months or less – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 12 months – main applicant and dependants | £769 | £819 | £50 |
| Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange, Youth Mobility Scheme and India young professionals scheme visa – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Representative of an overseas business – main applicant and dependants | £769 | £819 | £50 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – up to 3 years – main applicant and dependants | £769 | £819 | £50 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years -main applicant and dependants | £1,519 | £1,618 | £99 |
| Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Scale-up – main applicant and dependants | £880 | £937 | £57 |
| High Potential Individual – main applicant and dependants | £880 | £880 | £0 |
How much do Student visa applications made outside the UK cost?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Student – main applicant and dependants | £524 | £558 | £34 |
| Child Student | £524 | £558 | £34 |
| Short term student studying English language for more than 6 months but not more than 11 months | £214 | £228 | £14 |
How much do premium visa application services outside the UK cost?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Priority Visa service – Settlement | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| Priority Visa service – Non-Settlement | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| Super priority visa service | £1,000 | £1,000 | £0 |
| User Pays Visa Application service | £76.50 | £76.50 | £0 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to provide any premium service relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom (per hour per officer) | £150 | £150 | £0 |
| International Contact Centre – Email Service (per query) | £2.74 | £2.74 | £0 |
| International Contact Centre – Telephone Helpline (per minute) | £0.69 | £0.69 | £0 |
How much do premium visa application services made in the UK cost?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Super Priority service | £1,000 | £1,000 | £0 |
| Expedited processing – Priority service | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| On-Demand service (Mobile Biometric Enrolment) (per hour per representative of the contractor providing the service) | £650 | £650 | £0 |
What is the cost of premium services for applications made at the UK border?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Registered Traveller (Adult) – Yearly Subscription (per year) | £50 | £50 | £0 |
| Registered Traveller (Child) – Yearly Subscription (per year) | £24 | £24 | £0 |
| Registered Traveller – Registration of New Documents | £20 | £20 | £0 |
| Fast Track – Heathrow | £10 | £10 | £0 |
| Fast track – Other ports of entry | £10 | £10 | £0 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, to a Government Department, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom | £72.27 | £72.27 | £0 |
| The provision of an immigration officer to deliver any premium service, relating to entry into or transit through the United Kingdom (per hour per officer) | £150 | £150 | £0 |
How much do in-country UK work visa and business immigration applications cost?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Innovator Founder – main applicant and dependants | £1,590 | £1,693 | £103 |
| Endorsement fee under Innovator Founder route (payable to endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1,000 | £1,000 | £0 |
| Contact point meeting with endorsing body under Innovator Founder route (payable to endorsing body) excluding VAT | £500 | £500 | £0 |
| Start-up – main applicant and dependants | £625 | £666 | £41 |
| Approval letter from a competent body in respect of an initial application for Global Talent | £561 | £561 | £0 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is required | £205 | £205 | £0 |
| Global Talent – main applicant – where Approval Letter is not required | £766 | £766 | £0 |
| Global Talent – dependants only | £766 | £766 | £0 |
| Graduate Route – main applicant and dependants | £880 | £937 | £57 |
| Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) – dependants only | £766 | £766 | £0 |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) – main applicant and dependants | £1,590 | £1,693 | £103 |
| Tier 1 (Investor) – main applicant and dependants | £2,000 | £2,000 | £0 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £885 | £943 | £58 |
| Skilled Worker, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,751 | £1,865 | £114 |
| Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £1,160 | £1,235 | £75 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £304 | £324 | £20 |
| Skilled Worker – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for three years or less – main applicant and dependants | £304 | £324 | £20 |
| Skilled Worker – a job on the Immigration Salary List – Health and Care Visa – where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over three years – main applicant and dependants | £590 | £628 | £38 |
| T2 Minister of Religion – main applicant and dependants | £885 | £943 | £58 |
| International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for 12 months or less – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| International Sportsperson, where a certificate of sponsorship has been issued or approval to sponsor under Sponsor a Worker has been given for over 12 months – main applicant and dependants | £885 | £943 | £58 |
| Temporary Work – Seasonal Worker, Religious Worker, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, International Agreement, Government Authorised Exchange and Youth Mobility Scheme – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Representative of an overseas business – main applicant and dependants | £885 | £943 | £58 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – up to 3 years – main applicant and dependants | £885 | £943 | £58 |
| Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker – more than 3 years – main applicant and dependants | £1,751 | £1,865 | £114 |
| Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – Service Supplier – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – UK Expansion Worker – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Global Business Mobility – Secondment Worker – main applicant and dependants | £319 | £340 | £21 |
| Scale-up – main applicant and dependants | £880 | £937 | £57 |
| High Potential Individual – main applicant and dependants | £880 | £880 | £0 |
How much do in-country student visa applications cost?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Student – main applicant and dependants | £524 | £558 | £34 |
| Child student | £524 | £558 | £34 |
How much do non-work or student UK visa applications cost in-country?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Visitor Extension – main applicant and dependants | £1,100 | £1,172 | £72 |
| Leave to enter for persons in the UK who are liable to immigration detention | £1,321 | £1,407 | £86 |
| Leave to remain – Other | £1,321 | £1,407 | £86 |
| Hong Kong British National (In-Country) for 30 months – main applicant and dependants | £193 | £206 | £13 |
| Hong Kong British National (In-Country) for 5 years – main applicant and dependants | £268 | £285 | £17 |
| Processing an application which is subsequently rejected as invalid | £28 | £30 | £2 |
| Indefinite leave to remain – main applicant and dependants | £3,029 | £3,226 | £197 |
| Replacement Biometric Residence Card (issued under the EU Settlement Scheme) which has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed | £19 | £19 | £0 |
| Replacement Biometric Residence Permit which has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed | £19 | £19 | £0 |
| Travel Document – Certificate of travel – adult | £300 | £320 | £20 |
| Travel Document – Certificate of travel – child | £151 | £161 | £10 |
| Travel Document – Convention travel document – adult | £94.50 | £102 | £7.50 |
| Travel Document – Convention travel document – child | £61.50 | £66.50 | £5 |
| Administrative Review | £80 | £80 | £0 |
| Life in the UK test | £50 | £50 | £0 |
How much are UK nationality fees now?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| Naturalisation (British citizenship) (ceremony fee of £130 will be added to the application fee) | £1,605 | £1,709 | £104 |
| Naturalisation British overseas territory citizens | £1,070 | £1,140 | £70 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – adult (ceremony fee of £130 will be added to the application fee) | £1,446 | £1,540 | £94 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen – child (additional £130 required to cover ceremony fee should the minor turn 18 during the application process) | £1,214 | £1,000 | -£214 |
| Nationality registration as a British citizen (under provisions for Irish citizens) – adult (ceremony fee of £130 will be added) | £723 | £723 | £0 |
| Nationality Registration as a British citizen (under provisions for Irish citizens) – child (additional £130 to cover ceremony fee should the minor turn 18 during the application process) | £607 | £607 | £0 |
| The arrangement of a citizenship ceremony (including the administration of a citizenship oath and pledge at the ceremony). | £130 | £130 | £0 |
| The administration of a citizenship oath, or oath and pledge where the oath, or oath and pledge, are not administered at a citizenship ceremony or by a justice of the peace. | £5 | £5 | £0 |
| Nationality registration – British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons – adult | £964 | £1,027 | £63 |
| Nationality registration – British overseas territory citizen, British overseas citizens, British Subjects, British protected persons – child | £810 | £863 | £53 |
| Renunciation of nationality | £482 | £513 | £31 |
| Certificate of Entitlement Nationality Right of Abode (In the UK) | £589 | £589 | £0 |
| Nationality review | £482 | £513 | £31 |
| Status Letter (Nationality) | £459 | £489 | £30 |
| Non-acquisition Letter (Nationality) | £459 | £489 | £30 |
| Nationality correction to certificate | £428 | £456 | £28 |
| Nationality – supply of a certified copy of a notice, certificate, order or declaration | £428 | £456 | £28 |
| Nationality reissued Certificate | £428 | £456 | £28 |
What are the latest UK sponsor licence fees?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| The expedited processing of a sponsorship management request made by a Worker sponsor or Temporary worker sponsor | £350 | £350 | £0 |
| Priority service for expedited processing of sponsor licence applications | £750 | £750 | £0 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor ) | £1,579 | £1,682 | £103 |
| Worker sponsor licence (small sponsor) | £574 | £611 | £37 |
| Student sponsor licence | £574 | £611 | £37 |
| Temporary Worker sponsor licence | £574 | £611 | £37 |
| Worker and Temporary Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,579 | £1,682 | £103 |
| Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,579 | £1,682 | £103 |
| Worker, Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence (large sponsor) | £1,579 | £1,682 | £103 |
| Temporary Worker and Student sponsor licence | £574 | £611 | £37 |
| Worker sponsor licence (large sponsor), where sponsor currently holds a Temporary Worker and/or Student Sponsor Licence | £1,005 | £1,071 | £66 |
| Endorsement fee for a Scale-up sponsor licence under Endorsing Body Pathway (payable to the endorsing body) excluding VAT | £1,500 | £1,500 | £0 |
| Student sponsor basic compliance assessment | £574 | £574 | £0 |
| Sponsor action plan | £1,579 | £1,579 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), or approval under Sponsor a Worker: Skilled Worker, T2 Minister of Religion, Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist Worker | £525 | £525 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), or approval under Sponsor a Worker:- Temporary Worker including Global Business Mobility – Graduate Trainee, UK expansion Worker, Service Supplier and Secondment Worker route and Scale-up route | £55 | £55 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), or approval under Sponsor a Worker for International Sportsperson route – Over 12 Months | £525 | £525 | £0 |
| Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), or approval under Sponsor a Worker for International Sportsperson route – Up to 12 months or less | £55 | £55 | £0 |
| Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) for student, child student | £55 | £55 | £0 |
What are the fees for assessment of an overseas qualification?
| Fees category | Current fee | Fee from 8 April 2026 | Fee change |
| For a recognised standard of overseas qualification including, if requested, a recognised appropriate level of English language | £210 | £210 | £0 |
New passport fees from 8 April 2026
There are also increases in passport fees from 8 April 2026:
- the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £94.50 to £102 for adults and £61.50 to £66.50 for children
- postal applications will increase from £107 to £115.50 for adults and £74 to £80 for children
- the fee for a premium service (1 day) application made from within the UK will rise from £222 to £239.50
- the fee for a standard online application when applying from overseas for a UK passport will rise from £108 to £116.50 for adults and £70 to £75.50 for children
- overseas standard paper applications will increase from £120.50 to £130 for adults and £82.50 to £89 for children