ILR Fees 2026 – How Much Does Indefinite Leave to Remain Cost?

If you’re planning to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in 2026, understanding the full cost is one of the most important parts of your preparation. The ILR application fee has increased steadily over recent years, and getting it wrong can delay your application or even lead to rejection.

This guide breaks down every cost you’ll face when applying for ILR in 2026, from the main Home Office fee to biometric appointments, priority services, and potential legal costs. Whether you’re applying alone or with your family, you’ll find clear information to help you budget properly and avoid unexpected surprises.

Table of Contents

How Much Is the ILR Application Fee in 2026?

ILR Fees for Families and Dependants

When you’re applying as a family, the costs add up quickly because each person needs to pay the full £3,029 fee. Here’s what you can expect:

As you can see, a family of four will need to find over £12,000 just for the application fees alone, before any other costs. This doesn’t include biometrics, priority services, or legal advice if you choose to use a solicitor.

If you’re applying with dependants, it’s worth planning well in advance so you can save the necessary funds. Some families choose to stagger applications if they can, though this isn’t always possible depending on your visa situation.

Additional Costs You Need to Budget For

The ILR application fee isn’t the only cost you’ll face. There are several other mandatory and optional expenses to consider.

Biometric Enrolment Fee

Every applicant, including children, must attend a biometric appointment to provide fingerprints and a digital photograph. This is a mandatory part of the process.

There are no biometric enrolment fees. You’ll book your appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre after submitting your online application. Make sure you book this appointment quickly to avoid delays in processing your application.

Priority and Super Priority Processing

If you need a faster decision on your ILR application, the Home Office offers two expedited services. These aren’t available for all application types, so you’ll need to check your eligibility when you fill out the online form.

Priority Service (£500)

Priority processing costs an extra £500 per applicant on top of the standard ILR fee. With this service, the Home Office aims to give you a decision within five working days of your biometric appointment.

This option works well if you have upcoming travel plans, a new job starting, or other time-sensitive commitments but don’t need an immediate decision.

Super Priority Service (£1,000)

Super priority processing is the fastest option available. It costs an additional £1,000 per applicant and provides a decision by the end of the next working day after your biometric appointment.

This service is best suited for people with urgent deadlines or immediate needs, such as a job offer that can’t wait or critical family circumstances. Keep in mind that not all ILR application routes are eligible for super priority, so check before you apply.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

The Immigration Health Surcharge normally applies to people on temporary visas, not ILR applicants. However, if you apply for ILR but are only granted limited leave to remain instead, you’ll need to pay the IHS for the period of leave you’re given.

The current IHS rates are:

• £1,035 per year for most adults
• £776 per year for children under 18

If this applies to you, you’ll need to pay before your limited leave is granted.

Legal Fees

Many people choose to work with an immigration solicitor when applying for ILR. Legal fees vary widely depending on the complexity of your case, the solicitor’s experience, and the level of service you need.

On average, you might pay anywhere from £1,000 to £1,800 or more for professional help with your ILR application. Discounted fees are available for dependants from £600 to £1,000. This can include:

• Reviewing your eligibility
• Preparing your application and supporting documents
• Checking for errors before submission
• Representing you if issues arise
• Advising on appeals or administrative reviews if your application is refused

While legal fees add to the overall cost, having professional support can significantly improve your chances of success, especially if your case is complicated or you’ve had immigration issues in the past.

How to Pay Your ILR Application Fee

Accepted Payment Methods

The Home Office requires you to pay the ILR application fee online using a debit or credit card. Other payment methods like cash, cheques, or bank transfers are not accepted.

If you absolutely cannot pay online due to exceptional circumstances, you can contact the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) helpline to discuss alternative arrangements. However, this is rare and you’ll need to provide a valid reason.

Common Payment Problems

Make sure the name on your payment card matches the name on your ILR application exactly. Any mismatch can cause processing delays.

Also, check that your card has sufficient funds to cover the full application fee before you start the payment process. If the payment fails, your application won’t be submitted.

If you experience technical difficulties while paying, contact the UKVI helpline for assistance rather than trying to submit multiple payments, which could result in duplicate charges.

Can You Get an ILR Fee Waiver or Exemption?

General Fee Exemptions (Rare)

Unfortunately, the Home Office doesn’t offer general fee exemptions or reductions for ILR applications. Unlike some visa categories where fee waivers are more common, almost everyone applying for ILR is expected to pay the full fee.

Human Rights-Based Fee Waivers

There is one situation where dependants might be eligible for a fee waiver. If you’re applying for ILR based on your private life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), and your dependants are relying on your application to stay in the UK, they may qualify for a fee waiver.

To request a fee waiver for a dependant, you’ll need to:

• Complete a separate fee waiver request form for each eligible dependant
• Provide evidence showing that paying the dependant fee would violate your right to family life under Article 8
• Submit the request alongside your main ILR application

Fee waivers are not guaranteed. The Home Office will assess each request individually based on the specific circumstances of your case. You’ll need strong evidence to support your claim.

Exceptional Circumstances

In very rare cases, the Home Office might consider waiving or reducing the fee if you can demonstrate extreme hardship caused by paying the full amount. This goes beyond simple financial difficulty and needs to show significant, direct hardship linked to the fee payment.

You’ll need to submit a detailed written request with your ILR application, along with supporting evidence like medical reports or financial statements.

Success rates for exceptional circumstances fee waivers are extremely low. The Home Office sets a very high bar for these requests, so don’t rely on this as your primary plan.

When Can You Get an ILR Fee Refund?

Refundable Situations

While the ILR fee is generally non-refundable, there are a few specific situations where you may get your money back:

Application Withdrawn Before Processing
If you withdraw your application before the Home Office has started processing it, you may receive a full refund. Submit your withdrawal request as quickly as possible to increase your chances.

Invalid or Rejected Applications
If your application is rejected as invalid because it doesn’t meet the initial submission criteria (for example, missing documents or incorrect forms), you may get a refund. However, fees for services already provided, like biometric enrolment, won’t be refunded.

Overpayments
If you accidentally pay more than the required fee, the excess will be refunded. This can happen if you make multiple payments by mistake.

Duplicate Applications
If you submit more than one ILR application and pay multiple fees, the fees for duplicate applications may be refunded if they haven’t been processed.

Non-Refundable Scenarios

If your application is refused after processing has begun, you will not get a refund of your application fee. The Home Office has still reviewed your case, so the fee is considered earned.

Priority and super priority service fees are also generally non-refundable once you’ve paid for them.

How to Request a Refund

To request a refund:

• Gather your documents: Application reference number, payment receipts, and any correspondence from the Home Office
• Complete the refund request form: The Home Office provides a specific form for refund requests
• Submit your request: Send the completed form and supporting documents via email or post
• Follow up: If you don’t receive a response within a reasonable time, contact the Home Office with your reference number

Keep records of all correspondence and any reference numbers provided during the refund process.

What Happens If Your ILR Application Is Refused?

If the Home Office refuses your ILR application, you will not receive a refund of your application fee. This is one reason why it’s so important to prepare your application carefully and consider getting professional advice if your case is complex.

Your options after refusal include:

Submit a Fresh Application
If the refusal was due to issues you can fix (like missing documents or not meeting the continuous residence requirement), you can prepare and submit a new application. You’ll need to pay the full fee again.

Request an Administrative Review
If you believe the Home Office made a casework error when reviewing your application, you can request an administrative review. This is only for correcting mistakes in how the decision was made, not for challenging the decision itself.

Appeal the Decision
In some cases, you may have the right to appeal the refusal to an independent tribunal. This typically applies when your application involves human rights grounds.

Getting professional legal advice after a refusal is often worthwhile, as an immigration solicitor can assess your options and help you decide the best way forward.

ILR Processing Times in 2026

The standard processing time for ILR applications is currently around six months from the date of your biometric appointment. However, this can vary depending on the complexity of your case and the Home Office’s current workload.

If you use the priority service, you can expect a decision within five working days.

With super priority, you should receive a decision by the end of the next working day.

Keep in mind that these faster services aren’t available for all application types, and using them doesn’t guarantee your application will be approved it just means you’ll get a decision more quickly.

Total Cost Summary: What Will You Actually Pay?

Here’s a breakdown of what a typical ILR application might cost:

Single Applicant (Basic)

• ILR application fee: £3,029
• Biometric enrolment: £0
• Total: £3,029

Single Applicant (With Priority Service)

• ILR application fee: £3,029
• Priority processing: £500
• Biometric enrolment: £0
• Total: £3,529

Family of Four (Basic)

• ILR application fees (4 × £3,029): £12,116

Family of Four (With Priority Service)

• ILR application fees (4 × £3,029): £12,116
• Priority processing (4 × £500): £2,000

These figures don’t include legal fees if you choose to use a solicitor, which could add another £1,500 to £5,000 or more depending on your circumstances.

Get Expert Help with Your ILR Application in UK

Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain is a significant financial and personal investment. With fees exceeding £3,000 per person and no refunds if your application is refused, it pays to get it right the first time.

At Deluxe Law Chambers, our experienced immigration solicitors help clients across the UK with all aspects of ILR applications. We can:

• Review your eligibility and advise on the best application route
• Prepare your application and supporting documents to Home Office standards
• Check for errors before submission to avoid costly refusals
• Represent you if issues arise during processing
• Advise on appeals or administrative reviews if needed

Don’t leave your ILR application to chance. Get professional support to maximise your chances of success.

Call us today on 0161 464 4140 or book an appointment online to discuss your ILR application with one of our immigration law specialists.

ILR Fees FAQs 2026

Glossary of ILR Terms

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR): Immigration status allowing someone to live and work in the UK without time restrictions, also known as settlement.

Biometric Enrolment: The process of providing fingerprints and a digital photograph to verify your identity as part of your application.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): A fee paid by temporary visa holders to access NHS services during their stay in the UK.

UKVCAS: UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services, the network of centres where you provide biometric information and submit documents.

Article 8 ECHR: The right to respect for private and family life under the European Convention on Human Rights, sometimes used as a basis for ILR applications.

Administrative Review: A process for requesting a review of an immigration decision if you believe there was a casework error.

Home Office: The UK government department responsible for immigration, security, and law enforcement.

Priority Processing: An optional expedited service providing an ILR decision within five working days for an additional fee.

Super Priority Processing: The fastest processing option, providing a decision by the next working day for an additional fee.

Useful Resources

UK Government ILR Guidance
https://www.gov.uk/indefinite-leave-to-remain
Official guidance on ILR eligibility, application forms, and requirements.

UKVCAS Information
https://www.ukvcas.co.uk
Book biometric appointments and find your nearest application centre.

Immigration Health Surcharge
https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application
Information about when and how to pay the IHS.