Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Fees

The cost of applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK increased as of April 2025. This is in addition to a number of other immigration application cost increases across the board, including increases to visa fees and employer sponsorship fees. These price changes are occurring against a broader backdrop of UK government attempts to reduce net migration to the UK.

Applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK now costs £3,226, for both the main applicant and for any dependants also applying. It is also possible to pay for a priority decision on your application, in which case the total application cost will be higher.

Many applicants also choose to pay for legal assistance with their ILR application. While this is not a necessary application requirement, it is strongly recommended.

Page Contents

• How much does ILR cost in the UK?
• ILR Application Fee in 2026
• ILR Priority Processing Fee
• Do you have to pay Immigration Health Surcharge for ILR?
• Legal Advice Fees
• Payment Methods for ILR Fees
• ILR Fee Waivers and Reductions
• ILR Fee Refunds
• How Can London Immigration Lawyers Help?

Applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK costs £3,226. This is the cost for both the main applicant and for any dependants also applying.

However, there may also be other costs associated with obtaining ILR. If your application for ILR is unsuccessful and you are instead granted limited leave to remain, it is likely that you will need to pay the NHS health surcharge, which is generally £1035 (with some variations depending on the particular circumstances of the applicant).

In many cases, applicants for ILR also choose to pay for legal assistance with their application. At London Immigration Lawyers, we offer a range of services and packages designed to help you navigate the entire ILR process. Contact us today on 0204 502 8582 to learn more about our bespoke immigration assistance and to hear how we can help ensure your application runs as smoothly as possible.

If you are applying for ILR, there is the option to pay extra to have your application processed faster.

There are two different priority services available:

• Priority – costing £500 and means a decision will be given in 5 working days.
• Super priority – costing £1000, and a decision will be made by the next working day or within two days of applying via post.

These fees are in addition to the standard ILR application fee, and you cannot guarantee that you will be able to opt for fast-track processing. Limited slots for priority processing are released daily at 9 a.m. GMT.

Most ILR routes qualify for the priority service, such as Skilled Worker and Spouse visas.

The fast-track option does add significant cost to your application, so it may only be worth it if you need your application processed as soon as possible.

It is important to note that paying extra does not make it more likely that your application will be successful, as it only speeds up the processing time. The application will still be subject to the same criteria.

ILR Application Fees for Children and Dependants

The cost of applying for ILR is the same for the main applicant and their dependents, including those aged under 18.

This means ILR fees for under 18 are £3,226. There is also the option of paying for priority and super-priority processing to fast-track the application. These costs are the same as for an adult applying for ILR:

• Priority five-day service – £500.
• Super-priority next-working-day service – £1000.

All dependents must also pay the fee for providing biometric information, although children under 5 are exempt from this requirement. Dependents under 18 also do not need to pass the Life in the UK test or meet the English language requirements.

In some cases, it may be more cost-effective for children to apply for British citizenship rather than ILR. Contact our expert team to learn more about the options for those under 18.

How Much Does ILR Cost for Spouse Visa Applicants?

For those currently in the UK on a Spouse visa, then they can apply for ILR after five years. The standard application fee for ILR is £3,226, and there is no discount for dependents or multi-person households applying at the same time.

Applicants must also budget for additional costs, including the Life in the UK test and the English language exam if they have not already met this requirement.

Processing time for ILR applications is around six months, but this time can be reduced if you pay an extra cost for priority processing.

The £500 priority service offers a decision within 5 working days, while the £1000 super-priority takes one working day.

In addition to the cost of applying, you must ensure you meet all other requirements of ILR, including demonstrating you are in a genuine relationship and meeting the financial income criteria.

London Immigration Lawyers can help you or your spouse apply for permanent settlement in the UK. Call 0204 502 8582 for more information.

No, you will not need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of your application for ILR. This is because, once you have permanent settlement status in the UK, you will not need to pay a fee in order to access NHS services; this is one of the benefits of ILR status.

However, note that if your application for ILR is unsuccessful and you are instead granted limited leave to remain then it is likely that you will still need to pay the surcharge. The cost of the surcharge is currently £1035, with some exceptions, depending on the specific circumstances of the applicant.

If ILR is successfully obtained, you will also become eligible to apply for most UK welfare benefits, assuming you meet the eligibility criteria.

In many cases, applicants choose to pay for legal assistance with their ILR applications. While this is not strictly a necessary cost of applying for ILR, it is highly advised, as the rules surrounding ILR are often complicated and are subject to change.

Hiring legal assistance helps to ensure that you receive advice which is up to date with the most recent immigration developments and that you are guided through each step of the process, boosting your chances of a successful application outcome.

Legal advice is especially recommended in light of the recent government immigration white paper, which proposes a number of changes to UK immigration policy, including a longer waiting time before eligibility for ILR is obtained.

At London Immigration Lawyers, we offer a range of packages which will help to ensure that your ILR application runs as smoothly as possible, including:

• Advice package- providing you with bespoke legal advice from immigration experts, designed to help you navigate the application process
• Application package- helping you navigate the entire ILR application process
• Fast Track package- ensuring that your application is submitted as quickly as possible, helping you to meet any deadlines which you might have
• Appeal package- assisting you with navigating the appeals process if you have already submitted an unsuccessful application and representing you throughout

We can also help you to navigate the changing UK immigration picture and to stay on top of any policy changes.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply for ILR After 5 Years?

If you have lived in the UK for five years, the cost of applying for an ILR is the same regardless of which qualifying visa route you have opted for.

When applying, you will need to pay the ILR application fee of £3,226 as well as the biometric enrolment fee. You will not need to pay the Immigration Healthcare Surcharge as ILR applications are exempt from this cost.

It is also possible to speed up the processing of your application by paying an additional £500 to receive a decision within five working days or £1000 to hear back within one working day.

Paying for the fast-track option will not increase the likelihood of your application being approved, and it will be subject to the same scrutiny as all other applications. However, the priority service may be beneficial if you require a quick decision for travel or work purposes.

The standard time for processing ILR applications is around six months.

No Time Limit (NTL) Application Fee Explained

If you already have Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) but need to replace or update your proof of status, you may need to make a No Time Limit (NTL) application.

You may need to make an NTL if the following applies:

• You want to transfer an old visa vignette or stamp to an eVisa.
• Need to replace a lost, stolen, or expired BRP
• Are updating personal details such as your name

There is no longer a fee associated with making NTL applications, although they must be made from within the UK.

Applicants will need to show they have valid ILR status and have not breached the conditions, such as spending more than two years continually outside of the UK.

You must pay the correct ILR application fee; otherwise, your application will not be processed, and you may be forced to leave the UK.

Payment is due when you submit your online application. You can pay using a debit or credit card. You cannot pay the fees with a cheque, cash, or bank transfer.

In most cases, the payment is processed without any complications, but potential issues can include:

• Card being declined – as it is a large amount some bank providers may decline the translation. You should reach out to the card provider for further information.
• Did not receive a confirmation – you should wait 24 hours after submitting payment to receive a confirmation. After this time, you should contact UKVI for support.
• Incorrect fee paid – if you think you have paid the wrong amount then you should get in touch with UKVI immediately to avoid any potential delays to your application.

Whenever paying a visa or ILR application fee online, you should ensure you are doing so via the official UK government website and that the payment link you are using is secure with a padlock symbol in your browser.

In some cases, applicants may qualify for a waiver or reduction on their ILR fee. However, there are strict requirements, and the majority of applicants will pay the full fee.

A fee waiver may be considered if:

• You are a child in care
• You are under humanitarian protection or a victim of modern slavery
• If you are facing extreme hardship
• Are a refugee or a stateless person who qualifies under a specific scheme

If you are applying for a waiver or reduction, you are required to provide extensive evidence demonstrating how you meet the criteria. You must submit the fee waiver request before your ILR application.

It is possible to get a refund on your ILR application fee, but only in limited cases.

You may be entitled to a refund if the following applies:

• You accidentally made a duplicate payment and were charged multiple times
• The application was withdrawn before the biometric submission
• If the Home Office makes an error and cancels the processing of your application

You will not receive a refund if:

• The application was withdrawn after the biometric enrolment stage
• If the application was refused or rejected

If you think you are entitled to a refund, you should contact UKVI within 28 days and provide proof of payments. Your refund may take up to 8 weeks to process.