ResiGuide Guides ILR Costs 2026
Costs & Fees

ILR Application Costs
Full 2026 Breakdown

Applying for ILR is expensive — often more expensive than people expect. The application fee alone is over £3,000 per person, and that is before tests, priority processing, and dependant fees. This guide breaks down every cost so there are no surprises.

Updated February 2026 3 min read

Standard Application Fees

These are the main fees for an ILR application as of April 2025. The Home Office typically updates fees each April.

ILR application fee£3,029
Life in the UK Test£50
English language test (SELT, if needed)£150–£200
Biometric enrolmentIncluded
Standard total per person~£3,229

This fee is the same regardless of your visa route — Skilled Worker, Spouse, Global Talent, and all other routes pay the same ILR application fee.

The fee is non-refundable if your application is refused. This is one reason why thorough preparation is essential.

Priority Processing Options

Standard ILR processing takes up to 6 months. If you need a faster decision, two priority options are available:

Priority (5 working days)+£500
Super priority (next working day)+£1,000

Priority processing is subject to availability and not always offered. Super priority is usually available but costs significantly more. If you have urgent travel plans or a job change, the extra cost may be worthwhile.

Dependant Costs (Family Applications)

Each dependant — spouse/partner and children under 18 — pays the full application fee separately. There is no family discount.

Single applicant~£3,229
Couple (2 adults)~£6,458
Family of 3 (2 adults + 1 child)~£9,537
Family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children)~£12,616
Family of 4 with super priority~£16,616

Children under 18 are exempt from the Life in the UK Test and the English language requirement, so their cost is just the application fee (£3,029).

Important: These costs do not include the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) that you have been paying throughout your visa. Once you have ILR, the IHS no longer applies — that is one of the financial benefits of settlement.

Hidden and Often-Overlooked Costs

Beyond the official fees, there are additional costs many applicants do not budget for:

  • Immigration lawyer review (optional): £200–£500+ to have a lawyer check your application before submission
  • Document translation: £50–£100 per document if any supporting documents are not in English
  • Travel to test centre: Variable — the nearest approved Life in the UK Test centre may not be close to you
  • Passport renewal: If your passport expires before or during the application, you may need to renew it first
  • Postage for original documents: If required to send physical documents, use tracked and insured delivery

A realistic total budget for a single applicant is £3,500–£4,000. For a family of four, budget £13,000–£15,000.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The application fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. This applies to the main fee, priority processing fees, and the Life in the UK Test fee. Only the IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) may be partially refunded for unused periods after ILR is granted.

No. The full fee must be paid at the time of application. There is no instalment plan offered by the Home Office. Some applicants use savings or loans to cover the cost.

Yes. Each dependant — including children of any age — pays the full £3,029 application fee. Children under 18 are exempt from the Life in the UK Test fee (£50) and the English language test fee.

The Home Office typically updates immigration fees each April. Fees have increased annually for several years. If your application date is approaching, consider applying as soon as you are eligible to avoid potential fee increases.

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