The Home Office application fee for ILR in 2026 is £3,226 per person. Priority Service adds £500; Super Priority adds £1,000. Budget separately for the Life in the UK test (£50), English language tests if needed, biometrics, and professional fees if you use an adviser. The application fee is non-refundable on refusal — which is one of the strongest arguments for a pre-application review before you commit. For eligibility requirements, see our ILR requirements guide. For professional advice, see our ILR adviser service or our ILR service page.
Home Office Application Fees (2026)
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ILR application (per person) | £3,226 | Non-refundable on refusal. Each dependant pays separately. |
| Priority Service | +£500 | Decision within 5 working days (inside UK only) |
| Super Priority Service | +£1,000 | Decision by end of next working day (inside UK only) |
| Biometric enrolment | Included | Appointment at UKVCAS centre required after submission |
If you are applying with dependants — a spouse, partner, or children — each person pays the full application fee. A family of four pays £12,904 in Home Office fees alone before any professional or test costs are added.
Priority Processing Service
The Priority Service costs £500 per person on top of the standard application fee and aims to deliver a decision within five working days of your biometric appointment. It is available for in-country ILR applications only. Five working days is the target, not a guarantee — the Home Office does not refund the priority fee if the decision takes longer. Priority Service makes sense if you need an ILR decision urgently: to confirm your right to work before starting a new role, to travel, or because your current leave is approaching its end date.
Super Priority Service
The Super Priority Service costs £1,000 per person and aims to deliver a decision by the end of the next working day following your biometric appointment. It is most useful when the decision is genuinely time-critical — a same-week travel requirement, an imminent job start, or a visa expiring in days. The speed of the decision does not change how the application is assessed. A poorly prepared application refused on Super Priority costs you £3,885 per person with no refund. Make sure the application is correct before paying for faster processing.
Biometrics Appointment
After submitting your ILR application online, you must book a biometric appointment at a UKVCAS centre. Basic appointments at standard centres are included in the application fee. Premium appointments — at more convenient locations or outside standard hours — carry an additional charge of £65–£200 per person. In London and other major cities, standard appointments can have waiting times of two to four weeks. This waiting time effectively adds to your overall processing period — factor it in when planning your application timeline.
Professional Fees
Professional fees for ILR applications vary depending on complexity and the provider. As a general guide: straightforward fixed-fee applications are typically £500–£1,500 including VAT; complex applications (absence issues, sponsor problems, previous refusals) are typically quoted at an hourly rate of £150–£350 per hour plus VAT; document review only (without full application preparation) is typically £200–£500. If your application has complicating factors, professional fees are worth weighing against the cost of getting it wrong — £3,226 non-refundable if refused, plus the delay and status implications of reapplying.
Hidden Costs to Budget For
| Item | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Life in the UK test | £50 per attempt | No limit on attempts. Book at gov.uk. |
| English language test | £150–£200 | Not needed if requirement already satisfied |
| Premium UKVCAS appointment | £65–£200 | Optional; useful to reduce waiting time |
| Duplicate bank statements / payslips | Varies | May be charged by banks for historical statements |
| Subject Access Request (immigration history) | Free | Allow 30 days; useful for verifying your records |
| Travel document / passport renewal | £90–£150 | If current passport expires before or during the ILR process |
Standard Processing Times
The Home Office currently processes standard ILR applications in approximately six months. This is the period from submission to a decision — it does not include the time taken to book a biometric appointment after submission. Complex cases routinely take longer.
| Stage | Standard | Priority | Super Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Document gathering | 2–6 weeks (same for all) | ||
| UKVCAS biometric appointment wait | 1–4 weeks (same for all) | ||
| Home Office decision | ~6 months | ~5 working days | Next working day |
| Total from application to decision | ~7 months | ~5–7 weeks | ~2–5 weeks |
Priority vs Super Priority: Is It Worth It?
The case for paying for faster processing is strongest when your current leave expires soon and you need confirmation of settled status before it does, you are starting a new job that requires proof of ILR, you have booked international travel and need confirmation before departure, or you are applying for British citizenship and want to minimise the gap between ILR and the naturalisation application. The case against is straightforward: if there is no specific urgency, the £500–£1,000 per person uplift achieves nothing that a standard application would not achieve in due course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ILR application fee refunded if refused?
No. The £3,226 Home Office fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. This is one of the primary reasons a pre-application review is worth considering for any case with complicating factors. If your application is refused, see our ILR refusal help guide.
How much does ILR cost for a family of four?
Each applicant pays separately. For a family of four on standard processing: £12,904 in Home Office fees alone. Add Life in the UK tests, potential English language tests, biometrics, and professional fees. A realistic total budget for a family of four on a straightforward application is £13,000–£16,000 including all costs.
How long does the biometric appointment take to get?
Waiting times for standard UKVCAS appointments vary by location. In London, expect two to four weeks. Outside major cities, appointments may be available sooner. Premium appointments are typically available more quickly but carry an additional charge.
Can I get ILR faster if my leave is about to expire?
Applying before your leave expires extends your status through section 3C leave while the application is pending. If you need a decision quickly, the Priority or Super Priority service is the mechanism for that.
Are there any ILR fee waivers?
Home Office fee waivers for ILR applications are extremely limited. There is no general waiver scheme for financial hardship. The fee must be paid in full for most applicants.
Need personalised advice?
This guide provides general information only. For advice tailored to your circumstances, speak to one of our immigration advisers.
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