For many foreign nationals living in the UK, obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the primary objective. This allows you to live, work, and study freely, making it an essential transition point to British citizenship. Nevertheless, it is also a considerable financial investment.
Immigration fees are still quite expensive as of late 2025, and it is a challenge to figure out the total cost. It is not only about the application form’s price; there are some compulsory extras, some optional speed-ups, and some preparation costs that can cost you thousands more than your final bill.
This guide breaks down the entire ILR application fee in a very clear way, which helps you to make a correct budget and to be free from unpleasant surprises during your settlement journey.
The standard ILR application fee (2025)
The Home Office charges a fixed amount for the various steps in the settlement process. As of December 2025, the fundamental fee for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) routes that cover most situations (like those of a Skilled Worker, Spouse, and Long Residence) is £3,029 per applicant.
Does the the ILR fee cover my family?
No. One of the most misunderstandings is that a single fee would cover the whole family unit. The Home Office fees are charged per individual.
- Main Applicant: £3,029
- Partner/Spouse: £3,029
- Child Dependant: £3,029
So, if you happen to be a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children) and you are making a joint application, your starting point for the application fees alone will be £12,116 in total.
Additional settlement costs
The standard ILR application fee of £3,029 fee only covers the very first step. To fully go through with your application, you will have to pay for several smaller but compulsory costs apart from this amount.
The Life in the UK Test
The majority of people between 18 and 64 years old who submit an application must pass the Life in the UK test. You are required to make a booking and pass this test before you can send your application.
- Cost: £50 for each test.
If you pass on your third attempt you will have paid £150 before meething this mandatory requirement.
English Language Test
You must demonstrate your English language proficiency unless you are exempted (for example, you hold a degree from the UK or come from a country where English is the main language).
- Cost: ~£150 (The price varies slightly depending on the provider, e.g., Trinity College London or IELTS)
If you pass on your second attempt you will have paid £300 before meething this mandatory requirement.
Optional: The cost of speed
The usual ILR processing can be as long as 6 months.During this period, you cannot leave the UK, as your application will be considered invalid if you do so. In case you cannot wait for half a year and the situation is urgent, you have a chance to pay extra for “priority” services as follows:
- Priority service: £3,529
- Super Priority service: £4,029
Note: Priority are released daily in limited slots. You must pay this fee for each family member you want to expedite.
The “hidden” savings: no Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fee
One of the biggest financial advantages in the process of application for ILR is that you are not required to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS), which is a charge that applies to most temporary visas (like the Skilled Worker or Spouse visa) and is currently £1,035 per year.
It means that the Immigration Health Surcharge is not a part of the ILR application. Indefinite Leave to Remain gives you permanent access to the NHS without any additional payments. The saved amount can be as high as a few thousand pounds if you compare it with the extension of a temporary visa and the holder is a single applicant.
Total ILR cost scenarios
To support your budgeting efforts, here is the total amount in typical situations (assuming you use standard processing and pass both required tests on the first attempt).
Scenario A: Single Applicant
- Application Fee: £3,029
- Life in UK Test: £50
- English Test: £150
Total Estimated Cost: £3,229
Scenario B: Couple (main applicant + partner)
- Application Fee: £6,058
- Life in UK Test: £100
- English Test: £300
Total Estimated Cost: £6,458
Scenario C: Family of 4 (main applicant, partner & 2 children under 18)
- Application Fee: £12,116
- Life in UK Test: £100
- English Test: £300
Total Estimated Cost: £12,516
Are ILR fees refundable?
This factor alone carries the heaviest weight of consequences. The application fee associated with ILR is, in the majority of cases, non-refundable.
If your application is refused no part of your money will be returned. The whole amount of £3,029 per application will be lost. If you decide to withdraw after biometrics, a refund will not be given to you. If you have made an error and your application is invalid you may be refunded, but only if the processing has not been initiated, and that too, less a small administration charge (£25).
Due to high financial risks, a large number of applicants decide to bear the cost of a solicitor or immigration advisor who checks their application before they submit it. Even though it raises the cost (normally £1,000–£2,000), it acts as a kind of insurance that a mistake will not be the reason for the loss of the much bigger application fee.
Fee waivers for ILR hardly ever come into play. They are not generally possible for the Skilled Worker, Spouse, or Long Residence routes. The Home Office mainly keep waivers for people who can prove on human rights grounds that they are destitute and cannot physically afford to pay the fee.
Conclusion
An application for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) can be costly but will save you from the cycle of visa renewals and you no longer have to pay additional fees as you get permanent security in the UK.
To make sure that everything is fine with your application:
- Budget early: It is wise to start putting aside money at least a year before.
- Family costs check: do not forget to multiply the fee by every family member who is going to apply.
- Eligibility triple-check: As the fees are non-refundable, you should first ensure that you meet the salary, absence, and residence requirements before making a payment.
Need help with an ILR application? Book a consultation with our with one of our regulated immigration lawyers.
