- The standard ILR fee is 2,885 pounds per person in 2026; payable by each adult applicant individually.
- No fee is charged on some routes including ILR for victims of domestic abuse, certain armed forces personnel, and refugees granted settlement.
- A fee waiver on human rights grounds is available in limited circumstances where paying would breach Article 8 rights.
- EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) settled status remains free for eligible EU, EEA and Swiss nationals.
- The Immigration Health Surcharge is not payable on ILR applications; only on time-limited visa applications.
Last reviewed: 13 May 2026
The fee for most Indefinite Leave to Remain applications under the points-based system and family routes is 2,885 pounds per applicant in 2026. This fee applies individually; a family of two adults applying simultaneously pays 5,770 pounds before any additional service charges.
The Standard ILR Fee in 2026
Fees have risen substantially in recent years. The current figure represents a significant increase from the 2,404 pounds charged in 2023 and the 2,389 pounds charged in 2022. The Home Office periodically updates fees via the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations; the fee in force at the date of application is the amount payable. Additional optional costs: ILR application (standard) 2,885 pounds; Super Priority service (next working day) 1,000 pounds; Priority service (5 working days) 500 pounds; UKVCAS enhanced appointment 65 to 200 pounds depending on location and appointment type.
Routes With No ILR Fee
Victims of domestic abuse (VODA route): applicants in the UK on a spouse or partner visa whose relationship has broken down due to domestic violence or abuse can apply for ILR under the VODA route at no cost. Supporting evidence of abuse is required, including police reports, injunctions, medical records, letters from support organisations, or a combination. The threshold is evidence of abuse, not a criminal conviction of the abuser.
Armed Forces: members and former members of HM Forces who have served for at least four years may apply for ILR without charge. Refugees and humanitarian protection: individuals granted refugee status or humanitarian protection who apply for ILR after five years on a protection visa pay no application fee. Children in care: local authorities can apply for ILR on behalf of looked-after children without charge in certain circumstances. EU Settlement Scheme: applications for EUSS settled status remain free for eligible EU, EEA and Swiss nationals and their family members who arrived before 31 December 2020.
Family of Four Worked Example
Consider a Skilled Worker visa holder with an ILR-eligible spouse (also on a dependent Skilled Worker visa) and two children aged 8 and 14. Primary applicant: 2,885 pounds. Spouse: 2,885 pounds. Child aged 8: 2,885 pounds. Child aged 14: 2,885 pounds. Total: 11,540 pounds. Plus optional Super Priority (if chosen): 1,000 pounds x 4 = 4,000 pounds. Total potential spend before biometric appointment costs: 15,540 pounds. This figure illustrates why the fee waiver application process, despite its difficulty, is worth exploring for families in financial hardship.
Fee Waivers on Human Rights Grounds
For applicants on routes where a fee normally applies, a fee waiver may be granted where paying the fee would be incompatible with the applicant's human rights under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (right to private and family life). The waiver route is narrow. The Home Office requires the applicant to demonstrate they cannot afford to pay the fee (evidenced by bank statements, benefit letters, or financial documentation), that their circumstances are such that refusing the application on fee grounds would breach their Article 8 rights, and that no third party is able or willing to fund the application.
Fee waivers are most commonly granted where the applicant has a dependent child who is a British citizen or has lived in the UK for seven or more years, and where refusal of ILR would result in family separation. Fee waiver applications are submitted to the Home Office on the relevant application form. A waiver decision is normally made within 90 days. If granted, the applicant is invited to submit the substantive ILR application at no cost. The fee waiver application itself is free.
The Immigration Health Surcharge: What ILR Applicants Do Not Pay
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is charged to migrants applying for time-limited leave to remain and is currently set at 1,035 pounds per year per adult (776 pounds per year for children and students). It is not charged on ILR applications. Once ILR is granted, the holder accesses NHS services on the same basis as a settled UK resident, without any surcharge obligation. This is a meaningful saving; a Skilled Worker renewing leave for three years pays 3,105 pounds in IHS per adult.
Refund Policy
Application fees are non-refundable in most circumstances. A refused ILR application: fee not refunded. An application withdrawn by the applicant: fee not refunded. An application rejected as invalid (wrong form, wrong category): fee may be refunded at Home Office discretion; not guaranteed. An application where the Home Office made a clear processing error: fee refunded. The UKVCAS biometric appointment fee is a separate charge and also non-refundable once attended.
Fee Payment Options
The Home Office does not offer instalment payments for ILR fees. The full amount must be paid at the time of online application submission, by debit or credit card. Many applicants use credit facilities to fund the application, particularly for family applications where the total cost exceeds 10,000 pounds. Some immigration solicitors offer fee payment plans as part of a broader legal service package; this is a commercial arrangement between the solicitor and the client, not a government scheme.
ILR vs EUSS Settled Status Comparison
Standard ILR fee: 2,885 pounds; EUSS Settled Status: free. Application route: UKVI online portal vs UKVI EU Settlement Scheme portal. Physical presence requirement: 5 years on qualifying visa vs 5 years continuous residence in UK. Life in the UK test: required vs not required. English language requirement: required vs not required. Processing time: up to 6 months vs typically within 5 working days. Priority service: available (500 to 1,000 pounds) vs not applicable. EU nationals who arrived before 31 December 2020 and hold pre-settled status should upgrade to settled status before their pre-settled status expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ILR fee the same for children as for adults?
Yes. The 2,885 pound fee applies per applicant regardless of age on most routes. Exceptions exist for children in care and certain armed forces dependants.
Does paying the fee guarantee a decision?
No. The fee covers the cost of processing only. A refused application does not generate a refund.
Can I get a fee waiver if I am on Universal Credit?
Receiving Universal Credit is relevant evidence but does not automatically qualify an applicant. The Home Office assesses the full financial picture alongside the Article 8 argument.
Do I need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge on top of the ILR fee?
No. The IHS is not charged on settlement applications.
Can a solicitor pay the fee on my behalf?
Yes. The fee can be paid by a third party using their card during the online submission. The payment is recorded against the applicant's application reference, not the payer's identity.
How We Verified This Article
This article draws on Home Office fee regulations, UKVI published guidance on fee waivers, and the Immigration and Nationality (Fees) Regulations as currently in force.
