ILR Application Fee
The standard ILR application fee is £2,885 per person. This is the fee you pay when submitting your application to the Home Office.
Note: Fees change — always check the latest amounts on gov.uk before applying.
Total Cost Breakdown
The application fee isn't the only cost. Here's a realistic breakdown of all expenses:
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| ILR application fee | £2,885 |
| Life in the UK Test | £50 |
| English language test (SELT) | £150-200 |
| Biometric appointment | £0 (included in fee) |
| Document translations (if needed) | £20-100 per document |
| Immigration adviser (optional) | £500-2,000+ |
Total for a single person (without adviser): approximately £3,100-3,200
Dependants
Each dependant (partner or child) must pay the same application fee. So for a family of four, the total application fees alone could be over £11,000.
Priority Processing Fees
If you want a faster decision, you may be able to pay for priority processing:
- Priority (5 working days): additional fee applies
- Super Priority (next day): additional fee applies
Check gov.uk for current priority processing fees.
When to Pay
Payment is taken when you submit your online application. You'll need a debit or credit card.
Refund Policy
- If your application is refused, the fee is not refunded
- If you withdraw your application before it's processed, you may get a partial refund
- If the Home Office can't process your application, you'll get a full refund
Is It Worth the Cost?
ILR gives you the right to live and work in the UK permanently. After 12 months, you can apply for British citizenship. While the cost is significant, it's a one-time investment in your future.
For the full requirements, see our ILR requirements guide.