ILR Application Fee 2026

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is a significant milestone in securing permanent residence in the United Kingdom. The process involves strict legal and procedural requirements, including payment of the applicable Home Office fee.

This guide explains the ILR application fee for 2025, updated to reflect the £3,226 rate effective from 8 April 2026. It covers the main application fee, dependants, optional priority services, refund and waiver policies, and financial considerations.

What this article is about: This guide outlines the costs associated with applying for ILR in 2025, how the fee structure operates, and where refunds or waivers may apply. It also sets out current Home Office guidance, standard and priority processing times, and relevant links for verification.

Section A – The Current ILR Application Fee (2025)

The current ILR application fee is £3,226 per applicant. This applies to all main applicants, including those applying under the Skilled Worker, Partner/Family, or Long Residence routes. Each dependant must also pay the same £3226 fee separately.

Payment must be made in full at the time of online submission. The Home Office will not begin processing an ILR application until full payment has cleared. Any application submitted without payment or with failed payment will be treated as invalid.

You must still provide fingerprints and a facial photograph as part of your ILR application, but there is no biometric fee. Certain UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) appointments may charge for premium add-ons, but standard appointments are free.

The table below summarises the key fees for ILR applications in 2026:

Processing times for standard ILR applications are usually within six months. Applicants needing a quicker outcome can choose an optional priority service, if available.

The Home Office reviews immigration and nationality fees annually through the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations.

Summary: The 2026 ILR fee stands at £3,226per applicant, payable in full at submission. Each dependant must pay the same fee. Always check GOV.UK before applying to confirm current rates.

Section B – Optional and Priority Service Fees

Applicants who need a faster decision on their ILR application can choose one of two optional premium services, subject to availability at selected UKVCAS centres. These services are charged in addition to the standard £3,226 ILR fee and are paid when booking the biometric appointment.

A single applicant using the Super Priority service would therefore pay £4,226 in total. Dependants who also require a faster decision each pay the same additional fee.
Priority services are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis. Availability varies depending on the application route and local UKVCAS appointment capacity. Applicants should check availability before selecting a premium processing option.

If the Home Office does not meet the advertised processing timeframe, the application will usually continue under the accelerated route. Refunds for Priority or Super Priority services are only granted in limited circumstances, such as where the service is unavailable after payment or the delay is attributable to UKVI.

Applicants should book premium appointments early, as slots can fill quickly. It is also advisable not to rely solely on faster processing services where immigration deadlines are approaching. Booking confirmations and payment receipts should be retained as evidence of the selected service level.

Summary: Optional priority services can reduce ILR processing times significantly but substantially increase overall application costs.

Section C – Dependants, Family and Settlement Categories

Each dependant applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain pays the full £3,226 application fee individually. There are no discounted rates for children, family members, or group applications.

For example, a family of four comprising two adults and two children would pay £12,904 in total (£3,226 × 4), excluding any optional Priority or Super Priority service fees.

Dependants applying at the same time or separately are subject to the same fee.

Dependants are assessed independently and need to satisfy their own eligibility requirements, including continuous residence, lawful immigration status and compliance with the relevant immigration rules. Supporting evidence is required for each applicant.

• Skilled Worker to ILR: £3,226 per person
• Partner or spouse route: £3,226 per applicant
• 10-year long residence route: £3,226 per applicant

ILR fees are separate from previous visa application charges and extension fees. Earlier payments made during the temporary visa stage do not reduce the settlement application fee.

Summary: Every applicant included in an ILR application, regardless of age or relationship to the main applicant, pays the full £3,226 fee individually.

Section D – Refunds, Fee Waivers and Financial Considerations

The ILR application fee is normally non-refundable once biometrics have been enrolled. However, in certain cases, a refund may be issued if the application is withdrawn before biometrics are submitted or if it is rejected as invalid before processing.

Refund requests must be made through the official GOV.UK portal under the “Cancel your application” process. The Home Office generally issues refunds to the same card or account used for payment, although it can take several weeks to appear.

• Withdrawal before biometrics – full refund of the ILR and any priority fee, where applicable.
• Application treated as void or invalid – full refund of the ILR fee.
• Refusal after consideration – no refund.
• Delays – priority and super priority fees are not usually refunded if the decision takes longer than the advertised timeframe.

Fee waivers are not available for ILR applications. Waivers apply only to certain in-country human rights applications for permission to stay under family or private life routes. Where a settlement application is varied to permission to stay, the Home Office may consider a waiver under that framework.

• Ensure sufficient funds are available before submission; failed payments will invalidate an application.
• Use only the official GOV.UK payment system and avoid third-party processors.
• Keep digital receipts and transaction references for future reference or refund claims.

Summary: ILR fees are rarely refundable, and fee waivers are not available for settlement routes. Applicants should confirm eligibility, budget accurately, and verify the payment process before applying.

FAQs

Can the ILR fee change before I apply?

Yes. The Home Office reviews immigration and nationality fees annually, usually in April. Any updated rates take immediate effect under the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations. Always confirm the current fee on GOV.UK on the date you apply.

Do children pay the same ILR fee?

Yes. Children and dependants must each pay the full £3,226 ILR fee. There are no reduced rates for minors or family applications submitted together.

What happens if my payment fails?

If your payment fails because of insufficient funds or a card error, the Home Office may contact you once to resolve the issue. If payment cannot be completed, your application will be invalid and returned without consideration.

Are ILR fees refundable if my application is refused?

No. Once the application has been processed and a decision made, the ILR fee cannot be refunded, regardless of outcome. Refunds are only available before biometrics are submitted or if the application is rejected as invalid.

Can I pay the ILR fee in instalments?

No. The full fee must be paid at the time of submission. The Home Office does not accept staged or instalment payments for ILR or other settlement applications.

How long does ILR processing take?

Most ILR applications are decided within six months under the standard service. Those using the £500 Priority or £1,000 Super Priority services may receive a decision within five working days or by the next working day after biometrics.

Summary: ILR fees are fixed, must be paid in full at the time of submission, and are non-refundable once the application has been processed. Applicants should always check current rates, ensure payment success, and retain all confirmation records.

Conclusion

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain represents a key step toward permanent settlement in the United Kingdom. The fee structure reflects the Home Office’s policy of recovering the full cost of processing immigration and nationality applications.

As of November 2025, the ILR fee stands at £3,226 per applicant. Each dependant must pay separately, and optional priority services can increase the total cost by £500 or £1,000 per person. The standard service typically results in a decision within six months, while premium routes offer faster processing.

Refunds are only available in limited circumstances such as withdrawal before biometrics or where an application is treated as invalid. There is no general fee waiver for ILR, as exemptions apply only to specified permission-to-stay applications under human rights provisions.

Applicants should confirm the latest fee and service details on GOV.UK immediately before applying, ensure full and accurate payment, and retain all receipts for proof of transaction. Proper preparation helps prevent costly mistakes and supports a smooth route to permanent residence.

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