ILR Fees and Processing Times 2025/2026 — Complete Guide

ILR Fees: Quick Summary

The indefinite leave to remain (ILR) application fee is one of the largest single costs in the UK immigration process. For most work route applicants, the main fee is £2,885. Family route applicants pay £1,846. EU Settlement Scheme applicants pay nothing at all.

On top of the application fee, most applicants also need to budget for biometric enrolment (£19.20), the Life in the UK test (£50), and an English language test (around £150 to £200). Optional priority services add £500 or £800 on top of that.

If you want to know exactly how much your ILR application will cost based on your specific circumstances, use our ILR Eligibility Calculator or the full ILR cost breakdown guide.

Current ILR Application Fees (2025/2026)

ILR fees are set by the Home Office and reviewed annually. The figures below reflect the current 2025/2026 fee schedule. All fees are payable upfront when you submit your application; the Home Office does not offer payment plans or instalment arrangements.

Work and Business Routes

Applications made on most work routes use the SET(O) form. The fee of £2,885 applies to all of the following routes:

Family Routes

Family route applications use the SET(M) form. These applicants pay a lower fee of £1,846:

Other Routes

For a detailed breakdown of total costs including the NHS surcharge, biometrics, and optional extras, see our complete ILR cost breakdown guide.

ILR Fees for Dependants

Every dependant who applies for ILR at the same time as the main applicant, or who has their own qualifying period, pays exactly the same application fee as the main applicant. There is no reduced rate for children or spouses applying as dependants on a work route.

Family Costs Add Up Quickly

For a family of four applying on the Skilled Worker route, the application fees alone total £11,540 (4 x £2,885) before adding biometrics, priority services, or test fees. This is one of the most significant financial aspects of the ILR journey for families, and it is important to factor these costs into long-term financial planning from the start of your time in the UK.

If you have dependants, use our ILR calculator to check their eligibility dates alongside yours, so you can apply together and minimise administrative overhead.

ILR Processing Times (2025/2026)

The Home Office offers three service levels for ILR applications made within the UK. The processing time you experience depends on which service level you choose and pay for:

Note: the Home Office's official current service standard for standard applications is that a decision should be made within 6 months. The 8-week target that previously applied has not consistently been met during periods of high application volumes. Many applicants report standard decisions taking between 3 and 5 months in practice.

What Affects Standard Processing Times?

Several factors can cause standard ILR applications to take longer than expected:

• Application volume: Processing times tend to increase during peak months (spring and autumn, when many visa holders reach the 5-year qualifying mark).
• Case complexity: Applications involving excessive absences, criminal records, previous refusals, or missing documents take longer to process.
• Document completeness: Incomplete applications may be delayed while the Home Office requests further information or documents.
• Policy changes: Periods of policy change or system updates can slow down processing across the board.
• Background checks: The Home Office conducts identity and security checks on all applicants, which can add time in some cases.

What Happens While You Wait?

Once you submit your ILR application, your existing leave is extended automatically under Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971. This means you can continue living and working in the UK legally while your application is pending, even if your original visa expiry date passes during this period.

However, Section 3C leave ends the moment you leave the UK. For this reason, it is strongly advised to avoid international travel while your ILR application is pending. For guidance on this, read our travel during ILR application guide.

Priority and Super Priority Service

Priority services allow ILR applicants to receive a decision far more quickly than the standard service, in exchange for an additional fee. Both services require an in-person appointment at a UKVCAS service centre where you provide biometrics and, in some cases, submit documents in person.

Priority Service (£500 extra)

Priority service costs £500 on top of the standard application fee. Under this service, the Home Office commits to making a decision within 5 working days of your biometric appointment.

In practice, most priority applicants receive their decision within 3 to 5 working days. Priority service is available to most ILR applicants regardless of route, provided you can book a priority appointment at a UKVCAS centre.

Super Priority Service (£800 extra)

Super priority service costs £800 on top of the standard fee. The Home Office aims to make a decision by the end of the next working day after your biometric appointment.

Super priority is the fastest available option and is typically used when an applicant has urgent travel, a job change, or other time-sensitive circumstances. Appointments for super priority are limited and can sell out quickly, so it is advisable to book as soon as your application is submitted.

Is Priority Service Worth It?

For most applicants, priority service represents good value. Waiting 3 to 6 months with an application pending creates uncertainty and restricts international travel. The £500 priority fee buys certainty within a week and allows you to plan around the outcome.

Key factors that make priority service worthwhile:

• You have upcoming international travel for work or family commitments
• You are changing employer and need your immigration status confirmed quickly
• You simply want to minimise the period of uncertainty
• You want your passport back (standard applicants may have their passport held for months)

For more details on how priority and super priority services work, see our dedicated ILR priority service guide.

Additional Costs to Budget For

The application fee is the largest single expense, but several other mandatory and optional costs apply to most ILR applicants:

Note: the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is not paid at the ILR stage. It is paid during each preceding visa application. The cumulative IHS across the 5-year qualifying period typically adds £5,000 to £5,700 to the overall journey cost. For a full breakdown, see our complete ILR cost guide.

ILR Fee History

ILR fees have risen substantially over the past decade. Understanding the historical trend helps applicants who are approaching their eligibility date decide whether to apply sooner to lock in the current fee.

The April 2024 fee restructure was one of the most significant changes in recent immigration history. The work route fee (SET(O)) increased by approximately 20%, while the family route fee (SET(M)) was actually reduced from £2,404 to £1,846 as part of a broader restructuring of the fee schedule to better align with the Home Office's stated cost-recovery objectives.

Will ILR Fees Increase Again?

The Home Office reviews immigration fees as part of the annual budget cycle. Fee increases have been announced in autumn (typically alongside the Autumn Budget or Autumn Statement) and take effect the following spring. If you are within 28 days of your qualifying date, you can apply early and may be able to lock in the current fee before any announced increase takes effect.

Monitor announcements from the Home Office and the official visa fee tables on GOV.UK for the most current information.

ILR Fees Compared to Other UK Visa Fees

The ILR fee of £2,885 is substantial, but it is worth contextualising it against the other visa fees applicants will have paid on their way to settlement. The following table compares ILR fees with the most common visa application fees at the time of writing:

From this comparison, a key observation is that ILR on the work route costs four times more than a Skilled Worker visa extension. For applicants who are close to their ILR date and considering an extension versus applying for ILR, the cost differential makes it worth calculating carefully whether you have already met the requirements.

Notably, British citizenship naturalisation (£1,580) is significantly cheaper than ILR on the work route (£2,885), which surprises many applicants. However, you must hold ILR for at least 12 months before applying for citizenship on most routes. For more information, see our citizenship after ILR guide.

Total ILR Application Cost by Route

The following tables show the total cost of applying for ILR by route, including all mandatory fees. Optional costs (priority service, legal fees) are shown separately.

Single Applicant: Skilled Worker Route

Family of Four: Skilled Worker Route (Main + 3 Dependants)

Single Applicant: Spouse / Partner Route (SET(M))

Budgeting for Your ILR Application

Given the substantial fees involved, planning ahead is essential. Here are the key principles for budgeting effectively for your ILR application:

Start Planning at the Beginning of Your Qualifying Period

If you are on a 5-year Skilled Worker route, you have approximately 5 years to save for your ILR costs. For a single applicant, the mandatory fees total approximately £3,124. Spread over 60 months, that is around £52 per month. Set up a dedicated savings pot from day one.

For a family, the equivalent saving target is higher. A family of four should aim to save approximately£200 per month to cover mandatory fees alone, or more if priority service is desired.

Track Your Eligibility Date

Knowing your exact ILR eligibility date lets you plan when fees will fall due. Use our ILR eligibility calculator to find out when you can apply. If fee increases are expected, knowing your eligibility date means you can apply before the increase if you are close enough (you can apply up to 28 days early).

Check for IHS Exemptions and Refunds

The Immigration Health Surcharge is a major cost across the qualifying period. If you are on (or can switch to) the Health and Care Worker visa, you and your dependants are fully exempt from the IHS, saving thousands of pounds. If you are granted ILR before your IHS coverage expires, you can also claim a partial refund.

Prepare Thoroughly to Avoid a Second Application

A refused ILR application means losing the entire application fee with no refund. You then face the cost of a visa extension (to maintain lawful stay) plus the ILR fee again when you reapply. A refusal can easily add £4,000 to £6,000 in avoidable costs. Use our ILR documents checklist and ensure you meet all requirements before applying.

Consider Whether Priority Service Is Worth It for You

The £500 priority fee buys a decision within 5 working days instead of potentially 3 to 6 months. For many applicants, especially those with upcoming travel or a new job offer, this is money well spent. For applicants who have no immediate time pressure, the standard service may be acceptable.

Look Into Employer Contributions

Some large employers, particularly NHS trusts, universities, and multinational companies, contribute to or fully cover visa and ILR costs for sponsored employees. Check your employment contract or speak to your HR or immigration team. Even a partial contribution significantly reduces the personal financial burden.

Time Your Application to Avoid Fee Increases

Immigration fees are typically announced in the autumn and take effect the following spring. If you are approaching your eligibility date and a fee increase is announced, you can apply up to 28 days before your qualifying date to lock in the current fee. Missing this window could cost you hundreds of pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions About ILR Fees and Processing Times

The following questions address the most common queries about ILR fees and processing times. For questions about eligibility, documents, and the application process, see our ILR application guide.