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Important Links
Fee Update – 8 April 2026:
The standard ILR application fee has increased to £3,226 per applicant. Priority Service: £3,726. Super Priority: £4,226. No Immigration Health Surcharge applies to ILR. The previous rate of £3,029 applied from 9 April 2025 to 7 April 2026. Always verify current fees at GOV.UK – Immigration and Nationality Fees before submitting your application.
Overview: UK Indefinite Leave to Remain Fees
Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) – also known as settlement – is the most significant step in securing your permanent future in the United Kingdom. But with fees rising annually and the Home Office processing landscape growing more complex, understanding the full cost of an ILR application in 2026 is essential before you begin.
This guide, prepared by Hemang Laaheru, Principal Adviser at Conroy Baker Ltd. (OISC Ref: F202200094), breaks down every cost involved – from the Home Office application fee to optional priority services, ancillary charges, and the total budget for families applying together. We also cover current processing times, what causes delays, and the proposed rule changes every applicant must be aware of in 2026.
Use the table of contents below to navigate directly to the section most relevant to your situation.
ILR Fees 2026 – Complete Cost Breakdown
Main Application Fee
From 8 April 2026, the standard ILR application fee set by the Home Office is: £3,226 per applicant.
This fee is payable in full at the point of online submission via the official GOV.UK portal. The Home Office will not begin processing your application until payment is confirmed. There are no instalment options.
Service Level Options
| Service | Additional Fee | Total Per Applicant | Decision Target |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Service | £0 | £3,226 | Up to 6 months |
| Priority Service | +£500 | £3,726 | Within 5 working days |
| Super Priority Service | +£1,000 | £4,226 | Next working day |
Decision targets are aims, not guarantees. Complex cases or those requiring additional evidence may take longer regardless of service level selected.
Fees for Families and Dependants
Each dependant – including a spouse, civil partner, or child – must pay the full ILR application fee individually. There are no family discounts or reduced rates for children.
| Family Composition | Total Application Fee (Standard) |
|---|---|
| Single applicant | £3,226 |
| Applicant + partner | £6,452 |
| Applicant + partner + 1 child | £9,678 |
| Applicant + partner + 2 children | £12,904 |
Important:
If the combined fee for a family application is very large, contact your bank before submitting. The Home Office payment portal charges the full amount in a single transaction. Some banks flag large card payments and block them.
Additional Costs to Budget For
Beyond the Home Office fee, applicants should plan for the following:
| Cost Item | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Life in the UK Test | £50 per sitting (non-refundable) |
| English Language Test (if required) | £150 – £250 |
| Biometric appointment (standard) | Free |
| Biometric appointment (premium slot) | £50 – £200 |
| Document translation (if required)5 | £50 – £150 per document |
| Legal / advisory fees (recommended) | £1,200 – £3,000+ depending on complexity |
No Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS):
ILR applicants are not required to pay the IHS. The surcharge – currently £1,035 per person per year – applies only to temporary visa categories. For a family of four, ILR’s IHS exemption represents a saving of over £4,000 compared with a visa extension.
Fee Waivers
Fee waivers for ILR are extremely limited and are only granted in specific circumstances – typically those involving serious financial hardship or humanitarian factors such as domestic abuse. Standard financial difficulty does not qualify. Professional advice is essential before pursuing this route. Contact Conroy Baker Ltd. for a confidential assessment.
ILR Fee History – How Costs Have Changed
ILR fees have increased significantly over recent years. The table below shows the trajectory:
| Effective Date | Standard ILR Fee | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-April 2025 | £2,885 | – |
| 9 April 2025 | £3,029 | +£144 (+5%) |
| 8 April 2026 | £3,226 | +£197 (+6.5%) |
The consistent year-on-year increases reflect the Home Office’s policy of recovering the full administrative cost of processing settlement applications through applicant fees. Further increases in future years should be anticipated. Applicants approaching their 5-year qualifying date should factor in the possibility of higher fees if their application is delayed.
ILR Eligibility Routes & Qualifying Periods
The length of time you must have lived lawfully in the UK before applying for ILR depends on the visa route you hold. The following table sets out the main routes:
| Visa Route | Standard Qualifying Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker | 5 years | Salary must meet ILR threshold at point of application |
| Global Talent | 3 years | Accelerated route for exceptional talent |
| Innovator Founder | 3 years | Must obtain new endorsement at ILR stage |
| Scale-Up Worker | 5 years | Must meet salary threshold at ILR |
| Spouse / Partner | 5 years | Via 2.5 + 2.5 year route |
| Long Residence | 10 years | Continuous lawful residence; different absence rules |
| BN(O) – Hong Kong | 5 years | Under BN(O) route |
| Domestic Abuse victims | Discretionary | Fee-free route available in qualifying cases |
| Refugee / Humanitarian Protection | 5 years | Different suitability thresholds apply |
Key absence rule:
During your qualifying period, you must not have been outside the UK for more than 180 days in any single 12-month period. Exceeding this resets your continuous residence clock. Accurate absence calculation is critical – use our Free ILR Eligibility Calculator to check your position.
Early application window:
You may submit your ILR application up to 28 days before your qualifying date is reached. Applications submitted earlier than this may be refused without a refund.
After ILR – path to citizenship:
Once granted ILR, most holders become eligible to apply for British citizenship after holding the status for 12 months (or immediately if married to a British citizen).
ILR Rule Changes 2026 – What Every Applicant Must Know
This is the most important section for anyone planning their ILR application in 2026 or beyond.
Proposed Extension: 5 Years to 10 Years
In May 2025, the UK government published its Immigration White Paper, proposing to extend the standard qualifying period for ILR from 5 years to 10 years under a new “earned settlement” model. This would be the most significant change to UK settlement rules in a generation.
Where things stand now (April 2026):
- A formal public consultation ran from November 2025 to 12 February 2026
- The Home Affairs Committee has launched a separate parliamentary inquiry into the proposals
- No changes have taken effect. The 5-year route remains fully in force
- The Home Office has not published a timetable for implementation
- The consultation indicated the government intends changes to apply to existing visa holders, not only new applicants – but this is subject to final decisions
Earned Settlement Model
Under the proposed system, settlement would not be automatic at the end of a fixed period. Instead, applicants would need to demonstrate contributions to the UK through factors including employment, National Insurance contributions, English language proficiency, and civic participation.
Higher English Language Requirements
This is confirmed and coming into force. From 26 March 2027, higher English language test standards will be required for ILR applications across multiple visa routes. Applicants planning to apply after this date should check which test level will be required for their route.
CBL’s Advice
If you are approaching your 5-year qualifying date, do not delay your application in the hope of further clarity. The current rules remain in force and a well-prepared application submitted under the existing 5-year route is your most certain path to settlement. Book a consultation with Hemang Laaheru to assess your position.
Conroy Baker Ltd. is monitoring all Home Office guidance and parliamentary developments in this area. This page will be updated as formal decisions are announced.
ILR Processing Times 2026
Standard Service
- Fee: £3,226
- Decision target: Up to 6 months
- Best for: Applicants with straightforward documentation and no time pressure
- Processing clock starts: After biometric enrolment – not from the date of online submission
Priority Service
- Total fee: £3,726 (£3,226 + £500 per applicant)
- Decision target: Within 5 working days of biometric appointment
- Availability: Not offered on all routes or at all UKVCAS centres – confirmed during application
- Note: If you use the Home Office ID Check app to submit biometrics digitally, Priority Service may not be available
Super Priority Service
- Total fee: £4,226 (£3,226 + £1,000 per applicant)
- Decision target: By end of next working day after biometric appointment
- Availability: Limited slots, first-come first-served – book early
- Refund policy: If the Home Office does not meet the target, the premium uplift fee may be refunded. The standard application fee is not refunded.
Processing Time Summary
| Service | Fee | Decision Target | Book Early? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | £3,226 | Up to 6 months | No |
| Priority | £3,726 | 5 working days | Yes |
| Super Priority | £4,226 | Next working day | Essential |
What Can Cause Delays in ILR Processing?
Even with Priority or Super Priority services, certain factors can extend processing time beyond the stated targets:
- Incomplete documentation – missing absence records, payslips, or employer letters
- Complex immigration history – previous visa refusals, curtailments, or periods without leave
- Suitability concerns – criminal record checks, deception findings, or previous immigration breaches (from November 2025, suitability provisions are the primary framework for assessing eligibility)
- Home Office requests for additional evidence – adds weeks to the timeline regardless of service level
- Interview requirement – rare but can occur in complex cases
- Biometric issues – problems at the UKVCAS appointment stage
The processing clock starts from the date of your biometric appointment, not from when you submit your online form. In practice, many standard applications are decided within 2–3 months – but this is not guaranteed. Do not book non-refundable international travel while your application is pending. Travelling outside the UK while your ILR application is under consideration will result in your application being automatically withdrawn.
Paying Your ILR Fees Safely
All ILR fees are paid online through the official GOV.UK application portal at the point of submission. There is no facility to pay separately or in advance.
Accepted payment methods:
- Debit card (Visa, Mastercard)
- Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
Fraud warning:
Never pay ILR fees through a third-party website, immigration agent payment link, or social media contact. The Home Office will never request payment via bank transfer, cryptocurrency, or voucher. If you are unsure whether a payment request is legitimate, contact Conroy Baker Ltd. before proceeding.
For large family applications:
The full combined fee is charged in a single transaction. If a family of four is applying together, the payment will be approximately £12,904 or more. Notify your bank before submitting to avoid the transaction being blocked as a suspected fraud attempt.
Employers Sponsoring Staff Towards ILR – What You Need to Know
For UK businesses holding a Sponsor Licence, ILR is the endpoint of your sponsored employees’ UK immigration journey – and it has direct implications for your compliance obligations right up to the point of settlement.
Key employer responsibilities prior to an employee’s ILR:
- Salary compliance: The employee’s salary must meet the going rate threshold for their occupation code at the point of ILR application – not just at the time of the original CoS assignment. Salary underpayment is one of the leading causes of ILR refusal for Skilled Worker applicants
- Absence reporting: Absences exceeding 4 weeks must be reported through the Sponsor Management System (SMS). Unreported absences can affect both your licence and your employee’s ILR eligibility
- Right to work checks: You must maintain continuous right to work records throughout employment. ILR grants indefinite right to work in the UK – meaning your right to work compliance obligations simplify significantly once settlement is granted
- ILR as a retention tool: Employees who achieve ILR no longer need visa sponsorship. This can reduce your long-term compliance burden and strengthen staff retention
If you employ international staff on Skilled Worker visas approaching their 5-year qualifying date, proactive planning – not reactive compliance – is the right approach. Speak to Conroy Baker Ltd.’s employer immigration team about a pre-ILR compliance review.
Plan Your ILR Application With Confidence
ILR fees in 2026 represent a significant financial commitment – £3,226 per person, rising to over £12,000 for a family of four – but the long-term value of permanent settlement in the UK is substantial: unrestricted right to live and work, access to public funds, freedom from future visa renewals, and an accelerated path to British citizenship.
The regulatory environment is also changing. The proposed move to a 10-year qualifying period, confirmed higher English requirements from March 2027, and rising fee trajectories all point in the same direction: earlier action is better than delayed action.
At Conroy Baker Ltd. our Principal Adviser Hemang Laaheru has guided hundreds of individuals, families, and employer-sponsored employees through the ILR process. We offer fixed-fee, OISC-regulated advice with full transparency on costs and timelines from the first consultation.
Do not leave your settlement to chance. A refused ILR application costs you the full fee – with no refund – and can delay your path to citizenship by years.
All submissions are confidential – trust our UK Immigration Expert in London to represent you with expertise and care.
