Permanent Residence Fees UK

Applying for permanent residence in the UK—formally referred to in current UK immigration law as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)—marks a significant step toward long-term settlement. For most non-EEA routes, “permanent residence” and ILR describe the same settled status. By contrast, EEA/Swiss nationals and their family members now use the EU Settlement Scheme to obtain settled status, which does not carry an application fee. Understanding the costs for ILR, including optional services and family applications, is central to planning a compliant submission.

The Home Office charges a fixed application fee for ILR, with optional service fees and charges for each dependant. Fees are reviewed and adjusted periodically through the Immigration and Nationality Fees Regulations. As of 2025, the main ILR fee has increased in line with wider immigration fee changes.

What this article is about: This guide explains the current 2025 Home Office ILR fees, including costs for dependants; the availability and pricing of Priority and Super Priority services; and refund and waiver rules. It also provides context for employers supporting employees through settlement, helping applicants and HR teams plan effectively for the financial and procedural aspects of ILR while ensuring alignment with current rules and guidance.

Section A – Current ILR Fees (2025)

The UK Home Office charges a fixed fee for all Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) applications. This fee covers the administrative cost of processing and deciding the application, including security and immigration history checks. Applicants should confirm the latest figure before applying, as immigration and nationality fees are revised through regulations.

1. Current Home Office fee and effective date

The ILR application fee is £3,029 per applicant, effective from 9 April 2025. For applications submitted before that date, the previous rate of £2,885 applies. The £3,029 fee is payable by both main applicants and dependants applying inside the UK.

2. Terminology and EUSS context

In practice, “permanent residence” and Indefinite Leave to Remain describe the same settled status for non-EEA routes. Post-Brexit, EEA/Swiss nationals and their family members obtain settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS), which does not attract an application fee. By contrast, applicants pursuing ILR under work, family or private life routes must pay the ILR fee noted above.

3. Cost impact examples (2025)

• Single applicant: £3,029
• Applicant + partner: £6,058
• Applicant + partner + one child: £9,087
• Applicant + partner + two children: £12,116

Processing commences only once the full fee is paid online at submission. Where multiple family members apply together, each application is assessed on its own merits, even if submitted at the same time.

4. What the ILR fee covers (and what it does not)

The main ILR fee covers Home Office decision-making and core casework processes. It does not include optional charges such as premium UKVCAS appointment slots, in-person document services, postage/courier, translations, or legal representation. Basic biometric enrolment is generally included when using standard UKVCAS channels, but private service points may charge extra.

5. Section summary

As of 2025, the ILR fee is £3,029 per person (effective 9 April 2025). EUSS settled status remains free, creating a cost distinction without changing the settled rights conferred. Applicants should verify the latest fee table before filing and budget for any add-ons not included in the core charge.

Section B – Fees for Dependants & Family Members

Family members applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain must each pay the full Home Office fee. There are no reduced rates for children or partners, and each application is treated individually. Dependants include a partner (spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner) and any children under 18 applying with the main applicant or later in their own right.

1. Dependant fee structure for 2025

Each dependant pays the same fee as the main applicant — £3,029 per person. This flat-rate system applies regardless of age or family relationship. Example totals:

• Applicant + spouse = £6,058
• Applicant + spouse + one child = £9,087
• Applicant + spouse + two children = £12,116

Each family member’s eligibility for ILR is assessed separately. Even when applying together, each person must meet their own continuous residence and lawful stay requirements.

2. When dependants can apply

Dependants may apply for ILR at the same time as the main applicant or after the main applicant has been granted ILR. If applying later, the dependant must still pay the full fee at the prevailing rate. Timing should align with each person’s qualifying residence period—normally five years, but sometimes shorter where specific route rules apply (for example, bereaved partners).

3. Additional costs for dependants

Families should also budget for ancillary costs such as:

• Optional UKVCAS premium appointments or weekend slots
• Document scanning and upload services
• Translations of marriage or birth certificates
• Legal representation fees

These costs vary by provider and are not included in the main Home Office fee. Applicants should verify charges in advance to prevent delays at the biometrics stage.

4. Fee waivers and children’s applications

Fee waivers apply only in exceptional human rights cases, typically for children or families applying under the family or private life routes. Applicants must prove they cannot afford the fee and that refusal could breach Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Waivers are not available for standard ILR routes such as Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or Innovator Founder. Evidence must include income, expenditure, and supporting documents to show financial hardship.

5. Section summary

Each dependant pays the full ILR fee of £3,029. No family or child discounts exist under the 2025 regime. Fee waivers are rare and limited to specific human rights-based applications. Families should account for all potential additional costs—such as UKVCAS services or translations—before applying to ensure complete financial preparation.

Section C – Optional Services & Priority Processing

Applicants for ILR can purchase optional Home Office services to accelerate processing or add convenience. These services are supplementary and do not affect the outcome of the application. Their availability may vary depending on route type, location, and Home Office operational capacity.

1. Priority and Super Priority services (2025 rates)

As of April 2025, the optional expedited services are priced as follows:

• Priority Service (£500) – A decision within 5 working days after biometrics.
• Super Priority Service (£1,000) – A decision by the end of the next working day after biometrics.

These services are available for most employment-based and family ILR categories, but not all. Routes such as Innovator Founder and certain private life or long residence applications may not be eligible. Applicants should confirm eligibility before purchasing. If the Home Office cannot meet the promised timeframe due to operational constraints, the service fee is refunded automatically.

2. Standard vs priority processing times

Under the standard service, ILR applications are typically processed within up to six months. Straightforward cases may conclude sooner, while complex or discretionary cases may take longer. Priority and Super Priority options offer faster decisions without changing the underlying criteria or evidential requirements.

Employers supporting sponsored workers may find priority services useful to minimise right to work risk and avoid long gaps in documentation where contract renewals or travel are imminent.

3. Additional optional costs

Other optional costs may include:

• Courier return of documents (£20–£30)
• Translation services for non-English documents
• Legal or representative fees
• Premium UKVCAS appointments for same-day or weekend access

These optional charges vary by provider and do not form part of the Home Office fee. Applicants should ensure any service providers are approved by UKVCAS or the Home Office to avoid delays or non-compliance.

4. Refunds for optional services

If the Home Office cannot deliver a purchased expedited service within its advertised timeframe, it refunds the relevant priority fee automatically. However, the main ILR fee remains non-refundable once processing has started. Applicants cannot transfer priority payments between applications or after withdrawal.

5. Section summary

Optional expedited services allow faster ILR decisions but increase total cost. The Priority Service (£500) and Super Priority Service (£1,000) are available to most—but not all—applicants. While these services can provide convenience and faster outcomes, they do not influence the decision itself. Always verify route eligibility and consider whether expedited processing is worth the extra cost before opting in.

Section D – Refunds, Waivers & Financial Planning

Understanding how refund and waiver provisions work is essential for anyone budgeting an ILR application. The Home Office allows refunds in specific cases but generally treats the main application fee as non-refundable once casework begins. Fee waivers remain available only for a narrow range of human rights-based applications. Employers funding settlement for sponsored staff should also consider the tax and compliance implications of any reimbursement.

1. Refund policy

The Home Office issues refunds only in limited circumstances, including:

• Withdrawal of an application before it is allocated to a caseworker
• Duplicate or erroneous payments
• Technical or processing errors
• Failure to deliver a purchased priority or super priority service

Once an application has been assigned to a decision-maker, the main ILR fee is non-refundable, even if later refused or withdrawn. Applicants withdrawing before biometrics submission have the best chance of recovering part of the payment. Refund requests must be made through the official GOV.UK refund portal within 28 days of withdrawal.

2. Fee waivers and reductions

Fee waivers for ILR are extremely limited. They are generally available only to applicants under the family or private life routes who can show that paying the fee would cause financial hardship and that refusal could breach Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Evidence such as payslips, bank statements, tenancy or mortgage records, and proof of benefits must be provided.

Waivers do not apply to employment-based ILR applications, including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, or Innovator Founder routes. These categories must pay the full fee in line with the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations 2025.

3. Employer reimbursement and tax implications

Employers may choose to reimburse ILR fees as part of a retention or relocation policy. Such payments are generally treated by HMRC as a taxable benefit for the employee unless the payment is made directly to the Home Office for business necessity (for example, maintaining a sponsored worker’s right to work). Sponsors must ensure any reimbursement policy complies with Home Office sponsor guidance, which prohibits mandatory recovery clauses for visa or ILR costs unless voluntary.

4. Strategic timing and financial planning

Given periodic fee increases, timing can materially affect total expenditure. Applicants nearing eligibility may save costs by submitting before scheduled changes take effect. Employers managing multiple employee applications should coordinate submission schedules to minimise duplicated administrative costs. Early planning also helps ensure all applicants meet residence and eligibility requirements within one consolidated timeframe.

5. Section summary

Refunds are limited to specific scenarios such as early withdrawals or technical errors. Fee waivers are confined to human rights-based ILR routes. Employers reimbursing ILR costs must consider both tax and sponsorship compliance. Strategic timing and budget planning are key to managing settlement expenses effectively and lawfully.

FAQs

1. What is the permanent residence (ILR) fee in 2025?

The Home Office fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in 2025 is £3,029 per applicant, effective from 9 April 2025. This applies to all ILR categories, including employment, family, and private life routes. Always check the latest Immigration and Nationality Fees Table on GOV.UK before applying.

2. How much does it cost to include dependants?

Each dependant must pay the same fee as the main applicant — £3,029 in 2025. There are no discounted or family rates. Every dependant must also satisfy their own residence and eligibility criteria before applying for ILR.

3. Can I get a refund if my ILR application is refused?

No. Once an application has entered casework, the main ILR fee is non-refundable, even if refused. Refunds are only available for early withdrawals (before allocation to a caseworker), duplicate payments, or failed optional service delivery. Requests must be submitted via the GOV.UK refund process within 28 days of withdrawal.

4. Is the fee the same for ILR and permanent residence?

Yes. For non-EEA nationals, permanent residence and ILR represent the same settled status. The term “permanent residence card” applied only to legacy EEA applications, which closed in 2021. EEA nationals now obtain settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme free of charge, whereas ILR applicants pay the standard Home Office fee.

5. Are priority services worth paying for?

Priority and Super Priority services can be worthwhile for those needing urgent decisions—such as employees with expiring leave or upcoming travel. The Priority Service costs £500 (5 working days), while the Super Priority Service costs £1,000 (next working day). They expedite processing but do not guarantee approval, so applicants should weigh urgency against cost.

Conclusion

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in 2025 requires careful financial preparation and awareness of Home Office procedures. The standard application fee is £3,029 per person, with identical charges for dependants. Optional expedited services—Priority (£500) and Super Priority (£1,000)—can provide faster decisions but substantially increase total costs.

Refunds remain limited to rare cases such as early withdrawals or administrative errors, and fee waivers are generally restricted to human rights-based applications. Employers funding ILR for sponsored staff should ensure compliance with both HMRC tax rules and Home Office sponsor guidance to avoid contravening reimbursement restrictions.

Applicants and employers alike should always consult the latest Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations and GOV.UK Home Office fee tables to confirm current rates before submission. Planning application timing around fee changes and ensuring documentary readiness can help manage costs effectively and avoid unnecessary expense or delay.

In short, permanent residence—legally termed ILR—represents a significant investment. By understanding fees, optional services, and refund conditions in advance, applicants can make well-informed, compliant decisions on their route to settlement.

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