Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) UK 2026: Types, Costs and Employer Compliance Guide
September 16, 2026Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Fees 2026: Application Cost, Family Fees & Priority Services
Vishang Shah
Vishang Shah
Co-Founder of Westend Consultants
Vishang is Co-Founder of Westend Consultants and has been helping clients with UK immigration matters since the firm was established in 2008. With nearly 18 years of experience, he has built his practice around giving clear, honest and practical advice to both businesses and private clients.
Indefinite Leave to Remain removes the need for visa extensions, but applying requires a substantial budget. From 8 April 2026, the ILR application fee is £3,226 per person, including dependants.
You may also need to budget for tests, translations, appointment services, advice and priority processing. This guide explains the ILR fees for 2026, family totals and processing options.
Check the current Home Office position for your route before paying or making non-refundable plans.
This guide covers standard fee-paying ILR applications made inside the UK. Other settlement schemes can follow different fee rules, including eligible applications under the EU Settlement Scheme, which are free.
Key Takeaways
- ILR Fee Per Applicant: The Home Office fee is £3,226 for applications submitted on or after 8 April 2026.
- No Child Discount: A child or dependant pays the same ILR application fee as the main applicant.
- Family Costs Multiply: Two applicants pay £6,452, while a family of four pays £12,904 in standard application fees.
- No IHS for ILR: Applicants seeking indefinite leave do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Priority Costs Extra: Priority costs £500 per applicant and usually targets a decision within five working days when available.
- Super Priority Costs Extra: Super priority costs £1,000 per applicant and usually targets the next working day when available.
- Availability Depends on Route: Some settlement applications offer only one faster service, and daily capacity is limited.
- Fast Does Not Mean Guaranteed: Checks, missing evidence or requests for further information can extend the decision time.
How Much Does ILR Cost in 2026?
The Indefinite Leave to Remain fee in 2026 is £3,226 for each applicant. The Home Office fee table effective from 8 April 2026 increased it from £3,029, a rise of £197. Payment is made when submitting the online application.
For most standard fee-paying ILR applications made inside the UK, the Home Office fee is £3,226 per applicant. However, certain settlement schemes follow different fee rules, so applicants should check the guidance for their specific route. Someone applying after a Skilled Worker Visa will not use the same evidence as someone settling through a UK spouse or partner route.
Payment does not establish eligibility or purchase approval. Check the route, residence, absences, immigration history, English and Life in the UK requirements first.
Need clarity before paying the Home Office fee?
Book a Consultation →How Much Does ILR Cost for a Family?
There is no household fee or family discount for standard fee-paying ILR applications. Each eligible partner or child applying for ILR normally pays the full £3,226 application fee. Family members may have different eligibility dates.
The table shows the basic fee and possible totals if everyone can use the same faster service.
| Number of Applicants | Standard ILR Fees | With Priority | With Super Priority |
| 1 | £3,226 | £3,726 | £4,226 |
| 2 | £6,452 | £7,452 | £8,452 |
| 3 | £9,678 | £11,178 | £12,678 |
| 4 | £12,904 | £14,904 | £16,904 |
Totals exclude tests, translations, appointment extras and advice. Each family member must pay the faster-decision charge, subject to route, identity method and capacity.
Before including a child, check whether ILR, British registration or another option is correct. Birthplace, parental status and immigration history can change the answer. Review the wider personal immigration options.
Which Extra ILR Costs Should You Budget For?
The ILR application cost may exceed £3,226. Treat these items as a checklist, not a compulsory package.
| Possible Cost | Current Position | When It May Apply |
| Life in the UK Test | £50 | Usually required unless an exemption applies |
| English evidence | Provider-dependent | If a test or assessment is needed |
| Translation | Supplier-dependent | For evidence not in English or Welsh |
| Appointment extras | Appointment-dependent | For paid slots or added services |
| Immigration advice | Adviser-dependent | For eligibility or application support |
The Life in the UK Test costs £50 and must be booked at least three days ahead. An adult may also need English language evidence, although previous proof or an exemption may apply. Accepted evidence can include an approved qualification or eligible degree taught in English.
Depending on the application, you may attend a biometric service point or use the ID Check app. Paid slots, scanning and optional services can increase the total.
Before paying for tests or document services, check what your route actually requires. West End Consultants can identify which evidence is reusable and which items need updating for the ILR application.
Do You Pay IHS When Applying for ILR?
No. You do not pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain. Official healthcare surcharge guidance specifically lists applications for indefinite leave to enter or remain among those that do not require the surcharge.
Unlike many temporary visa extensions, IHS is not part of the standard ILR fee calculation.
If a person seeks ILR but is instead granted limited leave, the Home Office may require the surcharge before issuing that permission. This is not an upfront ILR charge, but it matters where settlement eligibility is uncertain.
How Much Do ILR Priority Services Cost?
The Home Office charges £500 per applicant for priority and £1,000 per applicant for super priority, on top of £3,226. Priority usually targets five working days; super priority targets the next working day, or two after a weekend or bank-holiday appointment.
These services buy faster processing, not stronger grounds or guaranteed approval. Capacity is limited, so an unavailable option may mean using standard processing.
Standard vs Priority vs Super Priority
| Service | Added Fee Per Applicant | Usual Decision Target | Key Limitation |
| Standard | £0 | Check route-specific guidance | No expedited target |
| Priority | £500 | Usually within 5 working days | Not offered for every ILR route |
| Super priority | £1,000 | Usually by the end of the next working day | Route and capacity restrictions apply |
Timing begins after the identity step, not when the form is started. With the ID Check app, priority timing starts on the working day after upload is completed.
The eligible in-country applications list shows that faster options vary by settlement category. The choice displayed in the application is the final availability check.
If timing affects your work, travel or family plans
Book a Consultation →Can a Faster ILR Decision Still Take Longer?
Yes. Priority targets are not guarantees. The Home Office may take longer to request evidence, verify documents, check information with another department or consider a complex case.
A faster service cannot repair weak evidence. Gaps in travel records, unclear continuous residence, inconsistent employment documents or unresolved immigration issues can still trigger questions. Readiness should determine when you submit; urgency should determine whether speed is worth buying.
For example, family-route guidance states that leaving the Common Travel Area before a decision withdraws the application. Do not assume a priority target makes travel safe.
Are ILR Fees Refundable?
An ILR refusal does not normally produce a refund. For a withdrawal, the application fee is generally refunded before biometrics, but not usually afterwards. App-based applications have a separate cut-off.
If a decision takes longer because more evidence is needed, the faster-service refund guidance says no refund is due on that basis. A refund may be considered for an issue outside the applicant’s control, but cases are assessed individually.
Do not treat the fee as a refundable eligibility check. Confirm the form, route, timing and evidence before payment.
How Should You Prepare Your ILR Budget?
Calculate costs for each applicant. Add the current Home Office application fee for each person, then only the tests, translations and appointment services genuinely needed. If available, add the appropriate faster-decision fee for every person using that service.
Check each person’s qualifying date, absences, permission, English evidence and Life in the UK result. Allow time to obtain employer letters, financial records, relationship evidence or other route-specific documents.
Avoid using the pre-April fee, assuming children pay less, adding IHS, buying an unnecessary test or choosing priority before the evidence is ready. Use a written cost schedule and document checklist.
Why Choose West End Consultants for ILR Support?
West End Consultants UK Ltd. is regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority at the highest level, Registration No. F200700162, with more than 15 years of experience. ILR support can cover route selection, residence, absences, evidence, preparation and Home Office correspondence.
Meet the team in Harrow, near Harrow-on-the-Hill, or arrange remote support from elsewhere in the UK or overseas. This is useful where family members have different immigration histories or eligibility dates.
Conclusion
The ILR fee in 2026 is £3,226 per applicant, including children. A family of four pays £12,904 before extras, with no IHS.
Priority costs £500 per person and super priority costs £1,000 per person, subject to route and capacity. Neither speed nor approval is guaranteed, so evidence quality remains essential.
Ready to plan your settlement application and full budget?
Contact West End Consultants →Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can My Partner and Children Apply for ILR With Me?
They may be able to apply at the same time, but every family member must qualify under the relevant route. A dependant’s eligibility date and evidence can differ from the main applicant’s, so check each case separately before submitting.
2. Is the ILR Fee Lower for a Child?
No. For standard fee-paying ILR applications, the 2026 Home Office fee is £3,226 for each main applicant and dependant, including a child. Any available faster-decision charge is also payable for each child using that service.
3. Does the ILR Fee Include the Life in the UK Test?
No. The Life in the UK Test is separate and currently costs £50. Applicants who must prove English may also face a separate test or qualification-assessment cost.
4. Can I Pay the ILR Fee in Instalments?
The Home Office application fee is normally paid in full during the online application process. If you are using professional representation, any separate payment arrangements for advice should be confirmed directly with the adviser.
5. Is Super Priority Available for Every ILR Route?
No. Availability depends on the settlement category, how identity is proved and daily capacity. The application process will show whether an eligible faster service can be selected for the particular case.
6. Can I Apply for British Citizenship Immediately After ILR?
Under the current citizenship rules, many applicants must hold ILR for 12 months before naturalisation. A person married to a British citizen may not need that additional wait if all other requirements are met. Review the rules before making a British citizenship application.
Related Reading
UK Skilled Worker Visa: A Complete Guide