Disclaimer: The information in this blog is accurate as of its publication date. Any updates after that date are not reflected here.
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ILR Fees Quick Facts
- The Home Office ILR application fee increased to £3,029 per applicant from 9 April 2025, including each dependant.
- Applicants for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- Optional priority services cost £500 for a 5-day decision or £1,000 for a next-working-day decision, charged per person.
- ILR fees are usually non-refundable if the application is refused, so careful preparation is essential.
If you are planning to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK, it is important to understand the full cost of the application, including the fees payable for yourself and any family members.
Failure to pay the correct fee can delay or invalidate your application, so it is essential to ensure the correct payment is made before submitting your application to the Home Office.
If you are applying alone, you only need to pay the fee once. However, if you apply with family members or dependants, each person must pay the ILR application fee individually.
Although the upfront cost may appear high, ILR can be financially beneficial in the long term because applicants do not need to pay future visa renewal fees or the Immigration Health Surcharge.
In this guide, we explain the current ILR fees, priority processing costs, healthcare surcharge rules and refund policies.
How much does it cost to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR)?
The updated application fees set by the Home Office are as follows:
| Fee Type | Previous Fee | From 9 April 2025 |
| ILR main applicant & dependants | £2,885 | £3,029 |
| Processing rejected as invalid | £25 | £28 |
| Priority service (5 working days) | £500 | £500 |
| Super priority service (1 working day) | £1,000 | £1,000 |
This fee applies regardless of the visa route used to qualify for ILR.
Applicants may include those holding visas such as:
- Skilled Worker visa
- Global Talent visa
- Scale-up Worker visa
- Spouse or partner visa
- Innovator Founder visa
- UK Ancestry visa
- Long residence (10-year route)
- Refugee or humanitarian protection
Each person applying for ILR must pay £3,029, including partners and children.
For example:
If a family of four applies together, the total ILR fee would be:
4 × £3,029 = £12,116
This amount does not include optional priority services or legal representation fees.
How much is the ILR application fee for a child?
The ILR application fee for a child is exactly the same as for an adult applicant.
According to the Home Office, the cost of applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is £3,029 per person, regardless of age.
This means that when parents apply for settlement in the UK together with their children, each child must submit a separate ILR application and pay the full fee.
Children who may apply for ILR as dependants include:
- Children under 18
- Dependent children already living in the UK under a family visa
- Certain dependent adult children in specific circumstances
For example, if a family applies for ILR for two parents and two children, the total fee payable would be:
£3,029 × 4 applicants = £12,116
Parents should also remember that priority processing services are charged per person, meaning that any optional faster decision service will also apply to the child’s application.
Although the cost can be significant, ILR provides permanent residency in the UK, meaning children will not need to renew visas in the future and may later become eligible to apply for British citizenship.
ILR dependent visa fee: What does each family member pay?
When applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a family, each dependant must pay the full ILR fee individually.
The current fee is £3,029 per applicant, as set by the Home Office.
Dependants typically include:
- A spouse or civil partner
- An unmarried partner
- Children under 18
- Eligible dependent children already living in the UK
Each dependant must submit their own ILR application form, and the Home Office will assess each application separately.
For example:
| Applicants | Total ILR Fees |
| 1 person | £3,029 |
| Couple | £6,058 |
| Family of 3 | £9,087 |
| Family of 4 | £12,116 |
Although the upfront cost is substantial, applying for settlement allows the whole family to obtain permanent residence in the UK, eliminating the need for repeated visa extensions.
Because ILR application fees are usually non-refundable if refused, it is advisable to ensure the application meets all eligibility requirements before submission.
Do you pay the NHS surcharge (IHS) for ILR?
One of the most common questions applicants ask is whether they must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
The good news is that ILR applicants are exempt from paying the IHS.
The Immigration Health Surcharge is normally charged to migrants applying for temporary UK visas, allowing them to access healthcare services through the National Health Service (NHS).
Currently, the IHS costs £1,035 per person per year for most visa applicants.
However, because ILR grants permanent residency in the UK, applicants are not required to pay this surcharge when submitting their settlement application.
For families applying together, this exemption can represent significant cost savings, particularly compared with extending visas for several more years.
In rare cases where the Home Office grants limited leave instead of ILR, the applicant may then be required to pay the healthcare surcharge.
ILR priority processing fees
Another cost to consider when applying for ILR is the priority processing service.
The standard processing time for ILR applications can be up to six months, depending on the complexity of the case.
To obtain a faster decision, the Home Office offers optional priority services.
These services are not mandatory but are often used by applicants who need their decision quickly.
ILR priority service fee vs super priority: Which should you choose?
There are two fast-track processing options available for ILR applications.
Priority Service
- Cost: £500 per applicant
- Decision time: within 5 working days
Super Priority Service
- Cost: £1,000 per applicant
- Decision time: next working day
These services begin after your biometric appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre or after documents are submitted through the ID Check app.
The super priority service is usually chosen by applicants who need an urgent decision for travel, employment, or immigration status confirmation.
It is important to remember that priority services do not guarantee approval — they only speed up the processing time.
ILR fast track cost: How to get a faster decision
Applicants who require a quicker decision on their Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application can choose the Home Office fast-track services.
These services allow applicants to receive a decision much faster than the standard six-month processing time.
The available fast-track options include:
- Priority service – £500 (decision within 5 working days)
- Super priority service – £1,000 (decision by the next working day)
These services are particularly useful for applicants who need to:
- Travel abroad urgently
- Confirm employment eligibility
- Finalise residency status quickly
If you apply with family members, each applicant must pay the fast-track fee individually, which can significantly increase the total cost.
Can I pay the ILR fee with a credit card?
Yes. The Home Office allows applicants to pay the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) application fee using several payment methods.
These include:
- Credit cards (Visa or Mastercard)
- Debit cards
- Online secure payments
Payment must be made when submitting the ILR application online, otherwise the application will not be processed.
If you are applying with family members, make sure your card has sufficient funds or credit limit, as the total cost may exceed £10,000 for larger families.
Some banks may charge international transaction fees, so it is advisable to check with your bank before making payment.
Can I get a refund on my ILR application fees?
Whether you can receive a refund depends on the circumstances.
Possible outcomes include:
Application rejected as invalid
A refund will be issued minus a £28 administration fee.
Application withdrawn before biometrics
A full refund may be possible.
Application refused
No refund is given.
Administrative review successful
The review fee may be refunded.
Most refunds are processed automatically within 28 days by the Home Office.
Conclusion
Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) can be expensive, particularly for families applying together.
Because ILR fees are usually non-refundable if an application is refused, it is essential that applications are carefully prepared with the correct documents and eligibility evidence.
Since 2020, A Y & J Solicitors has handled over 200 successful ILR applications, making it a recognised leader in UK immigration law.
As a multi-award-winning firm recommended by The Legal 500, the firm has successfully managed 5,000+ immigration and visa applications.
If you need assistance with your ILR application, contact A Y & J Solicitors on +44 20 7404 7933 today.Their experienced immigration lawyers can help ensure your application is accurate, complete, and submitted with the best chance of success.
