How Much Does ILR Cost in 2026? Complete Fee Breakdown

Overview of ILR Costs

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK is a significant financial commitment. The cost of indefinite leave to remain includes not just the application fee, but multiple additional charges that many applicants do not anticipate until they begin the process. Understanding the full picture early on allows you to budget effectively and avoid last-minute financial stress.

The total cost of an ILR application varies depending on your visa route, whether you use priority processing, and whether you choose to hire professional help. For a single Skilled Worker applicant, the total typically falls between £3,100 and £6,600. For a family of four, costs can exceed £15,000 when you factor in the cumulative NHS surcharge paid over the qualifying period.

All fees listed in this guide are based on the 2025/26 fee schedule. The Home Office reviews and often increases immigration fees annually, so always check GOV.UK for the latest figures before submitting your application. You can also use our UK Visa Cost Calculator to get a personalised estimate based on your specific circumstances.

Visa Application Fee

The largest single cost in any indefinite leave to remain application is the visa fee itself. The amount you pay depends on which settlement form you use, which in turn depends on your visa route:

The SET(O) form covers the majority of work-based routes and is the more expensive of the two main forms at £2,885. The SET(M) form for family routes is lower at £1,846, though the overall journey for spouse visa holders often involves additional costs over multiple visa extensions.

It is worth noting that the EU Settlement Scheme remains free of charge, making it a significant exception to the general fee structure. If you are eligible for this route, it represents a substantial saving.

Fee Increases

Immigration fees have increased consistently over the past decade. For context, the SET(O) fee was £2,389 in 2022/23 before rising to its current level. The Home Office typically announces fee changes in the autumn, with new fees taking effect the following spring. If you are close to your eligibility date, it may be worth applying sooner rather than later to lock in the current fee.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The Immigration Health Surcharge is a fee paid by most visa holders to access NHS services during their time in the UK. While the IHS is not paid at the ILR stage itself (because ILR grants permanent NHS access), it represents a major cumulative cost over the qualifying period leading up to ILR.

The current IHS rate is £1,035 per year (or £776 per year for students and Youth Mobility Scheme applicants). This is paid upfront when you apply for or extend your visa, covering the full duration of that visa.

Typical IHS Costs Over the ILR Journey

Most work-route applicants need 5 years of continuous residence to qualify for ILR. This usually means two visa grants: an initial visa (typically 3 years for a Skilled Worker) and one extension (typically 2 or 3 years). The IHS is paid for each visa period:

For a family, multiply these figures by the number of dependants. A couple would pay over £11,000 in IHS alone over the qualifying period. This is often the single most expensive element of the entire immigration journey.

IHS Refund After ILR

If you paid the IHS for a period that extends beyond the date you are granted ILR, you may be eligible for a partial refund. For example, if you paid IHS for 3 years on your extension but were granted ILR after 2.5 years, you could claim back the remaining 6 months. Refund requests are made through the GOV.UK IHS refund page.

Biometric Enrolment Fee

All ILR applicants must provide biometric information (fingerprints and a photograph) as part of the application. This is done at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre.

The standard biometric enrolment fee is £19.20. This covers a single appointment at a UKVCAS centre operated by Sopra Steria. The fee is paid when you book your appointment, separately from the main application fee.

Note that UKVCAS centres may charge additional fees for premium appointment slots (such as out-of-hours or weekend appointments). These optional upgrades typically cost £60 to £200 depending on the centre and time slot, but the standard appointment at £19.20 is always available.

Priority Services

The Home Office offers three processing tiers for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) applications made within the UK:

Is Priority Worth It?

The standard processing time for ILR is officially 8 weeks, but in practice many applicants report waiting 3 to 6 months. During this time, your current visa remains valid, but you cannot travel internationally without risking complications with your pending application.

Priority service (£500, 5 working days) is the most popular upgrade and offers good value if you need your passport back for travel or simply want peace of mind. Super priority (£1,000, next working day) is ideal for urgent situations, such as imminent international travel for work.

Note that priority and super priority appointments have limited availability and can sell out quickly. It is advisable to book your biometric appointment as soon as your application is submitted if you want a priority slot.

English Language Test

Most ILR applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR Level B1 (intermediate). The accepted test for ILR is the IELTS Life Skills B1, which is a speaking and listening test (no reading or writing component).

The IELTS Life Skills B1 test costs approximately £150 to £200 depending on the test centre. Results are usually available within 7 days. If you fail, you can retake the test as many times as needed, paying the fee each time.

English Language Exemptions

You may be exempt from the English language requirement if you:

• Are a national of a majority English-speaking country (e.g., USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica)
• Hold a degree taught in English (must be verified by UK ENIC, which costs around £50)
• Are aged 65 or over
• Have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement (with medical evidence)

If you already passed an English test at B1 level or above for a previous visa application, you may be able to reuse that result. Check the specific requirements for your route on GOV.UK.

Life in the UK Test

The Life in the UK test is a mandatory requirement for all ILR applicants (with limited exemptions). The test costs £50 per attempt and consists of 24 questions drawn from the official handbook “Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents.”

You need to score at least 75% (18 out of 24) to pass. The test lasts 45 minutes and is taken at an official test centre. If you fail, you must wait at least 7 days before rebooking.

The official handbook costs around £12.99 (paperback) or is available digitally. Many applicants also use free online practice tests to prepare. Our Life in the UK practice tests feature over 1,000 questions across all five handbook chapters.

Life in the UK Test Exemptions

You may be exempt from the Life in the UK test if you:

• Are under 18 or aged 65 or over
• Have a long-term physical or mental condition (with supporting medical evidence)
• Are applying under the EU Settlement Scheme

Optional Costs

Beyond the mandatory fees, there are several optional costs that many applicants choose to incur:

Immigration Lawyer

Hiring an immigration solicitor or adviser is not required but can provide peace of mind, particularly for complex cases. Typical costs range from £1,500 to £5,000 depending on the complexity of your case and the firm:

• Straightforward ILR (Skilled Worker, no complications): £1,500 - £2,500
• Family route with complications: £2,500 - £4,000
• Complex cases (criminal record, excessive absences, gaps): £3,000 - £5,000+

If you decide to use a lawyer, ensure they are registered with the OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) or are a solicitor regulated by the SRA. Unregulated advisers are illegal in the UK.

Document Translation

Any supporting documents not in English (or Welsh) must be accompanied by a certified translation. Professional translation services typically charge £30 to £80 per page depending on the language and document complexity. Common documents that need translation include birth certificates, marriage certificates, and bank statements from overseas accounts.

Courier and Postage

While most ILR applications are now submitted online, you may need to post original documents to the Home Office in certain circumstances. Using a tracked courier service (such as Royal Mail Special Delivery) costs around £7 to £15. Some applicants also choose to send documents via secure courier services at higher cost for added security.

UK ENIC Verification

If you are using a foreign degree to satisfy the English language requirement (instead of taking the IELTS test), you will need UK ENIC to verify that it was taught in English. This service costs around £49.50 plus VAT and can take up to 15 working days.

Total Cost by Route

The following tables show estimated total costs for the most common ILR routes. These include all mandatory fees and typical optional costs. Use our UK Visa Cost Calculator for a personalised breakdown.

Skilled Worker Route

Spouse / Partner Route

Health & Care Worker Route

The Health & Care Worker route is significantly cheaper than other work routes because applicants are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge for the entire duration of their stay, saving over £5,000 across the qualifying period.

NHS Surcharge Exemptions

Several categories of applicants are exempt from paying the Immigration Health Surcharge:

• Health and Care Worker visa holders (and their dependants) are fully exempt
• EU Settlement Scheme applicants do not pay the IHS
• Applicants from countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements (e.g., Australia, New Zealand) may pay a reduced rate in certain circumstances
• Asylum seekers and those granted humanitarian protection are exempt
• Victims of modern slavery with a positive conclusive grounds decision
• Children in local authority care

If you have been paying the IHS but believe you should have been exempt, you can apply for a refund through the Home Office. Refund claims can be backdated, but it is important to apply promptly as there may be time limits.

Payment Plans and Financial Planning

The Home Office does not offer payment plans for ILR application fees. The full fee must be paid upfront when you submit your application. This applies to the application fee, the IHS (paid at each visa stage), and the biometric fee.

Given the substantial total costs involved, planning ahead is essential. Here are some practical strategies:

Start Saving Early

If you know you will apply for ILR in 5 years, divide the estimated total cost by 60 months to determine a monthly saving target. For a Skilled Worker applicant, that means setting aside approximately £50 to £55 per month for the ILR-specific costs (application fee, tests, biometrics), in addition to the IHS payments you will make at each visa stage.

Use Our Financial Planner

The UK Visa Cost Calculator can help you estimate your total costs and create a timeline of when each payment is due. Knowing exactly when each cost falls helps you plan your cash flow rather than facing large bills unexpectedly.

Check Employer Support

Some employers, particularly in the NHS, large corporations, and universities, offer sponsorship support that covers part or all of the ILR application costs. This is more common for Certificate of Sponsorship costs and the Skills Charge, but some employers also contribute to the ILR fee. It is always worth asking your HR department about immigration support policies.

Time Your Application Strategically

You can apply for ILR up to 28 days before you complete the qualifying period. If fee increases are announced, applying just before the increase takes effect can save you money. Monitor the Home Office announcements in autumn each year for upcoming fee changes.

Beyond ILR: Citizenship Costs

Once you have held ILR for at least 12 months, you may be eligible to apply for British citizenship through naturalisation. This involves additional costs:

If you already passed the Life in the UK test and met the English language requirement for your ILR application, you do not need to retake them for citizenship. This means the only additional cost for most people is the £1,580 naturalisation fee.

The total cost from initial visa to British citizenship, including all visa extensions, IHS, ILR, and naturalisation, can exceed £15,000 to £20,000 for a single applicant on a work route. For a detailed breakdown of the full journey, read our Naturalisation Requirements Guide.

How to Save Money on Your Application

While you cannot reduce the Home Office fees for indefinite leave to remain, there are several ways to minimise the overall cost of your indefinite leave to remain journey:

1. Check if you qualify for IHS exemption. Health and Care Worker visa holders save over £5,000 across the qualifying period. If you work in an eligible health or care role, ensure you are on the correct visa route.
2. Use the English language exemption. If you are from a majority English-speaking country or hold a degree taught in English, you can skip the IELTS test entirely, saving £150 to £200.
3. Prepare thoroughly for the Life in the UK test. Each failed attempt costs £50 plus travel expenses. Use free practice resources (including our 1,000-question practice bank) to maximise your chance of passing first time.
4. Apply before fee increases. Watch for Home Office fee change announcements (usually in autumn) and submit your application before new fees take effect if you are close to eligibility.
5. Consider whether you truly need a lawyer. For straightforward applications (stable employment, no absence issues, no criminal record), many applicants successfully apply without legal representation. The official guidance and application forms are comprehensive.
6. Claim IHS refunds. If you are granted ILR before your current IHS coverage expires, apply for a refund of the unused portion promptly.
7. Use standard biometric appointments. The standard UKVCAS appointment at £19.20 is sufficient for most applicants. Premium time slots are a convenience, not a necessity.
8. Track your absences carefully. Exceeding the 180-day absence limit can delay or prevent your ILR application, potentially requiring an additional visa extension (costing thousands more). Use our absence tracking guide and tools to stay within limits.

The Real Cost of Getting It Wrong

The most expensive mistake is having your ILR application refused. A refusal means losing the entire application fee (£1,846 or £2,885), potentially needing to apply for another visa extension (£719 to £1,048 plus IHS), and paying the ILR fee again when you reapply. A refused application can easily cost an additional £4,000 to £6,000 in total.

Thorough preparation, ensuring you meet all requirements, have all documents, and are within absence limits, is the most effective way to save money. Consider it an investment: spending a few hours checking everything carefully can save you thousands.