The ILR fee in 2026 is £3,226 per person, for the main applicant and each dependant applying in the UK (GOV.UK fees table, 8 October 2026). Most applicants also need to pass the Life in the UK Test, which costs £50. If you are budgeting for settlement, the ILR fee is the biggest single cost, and it is charged for every person on the application, children included.

This guide sets out the 2026 ILR cost, what a family pays, the extra costs that often get missed and how to avoid paying the fee twice. It is general guidance only. Eligibility and costs depend on your own circumstances, so check your route before you pay.

ILR fee 2026 at a glance

The Home Office fees table that took effect on 8 October 2026 kept the ILR fee at £3,226. All figures below come from the GOV.UK UK visa fees page (fees table dated 8 October 2026, checked 14 October 2026), unless a different source is linked.

ItemFee from 8 October 2026
Indefinite leave to remain, main applicant£3,226
Indefinite leave to remain, each dependant£3,226
Life in the UK Test£50
Priority service (in the UK), optional£500 per person
Super priority service (in the UK), optional£1,000 per person
Application later rejected as invalid£30

What a family pays for ILR

The ILR cost is per person, not per application. Each partner and each child included pays the full £3,226. There is no lower ILR fee for children in the fees table.

Here is an example, using arithmetic only. A couple applying with one child would pay 3 × £3,226 = £9,678 in Home Office fees, before any optional services or test costs. With two children it would be 4 × £3,226 = £12,904.

Families sometimes apply at different times, for example when a child reaches the qualifying period later than a parent. Each person still pays the ILR fee when they apply. Whether your dependants can settle with you, and when, depends on your route, so check this before you plan the budget.

Other ILR costs to budget for

The ILR fee is not the whole bill. Plan for these as well.

  • Life in the UK Test: £50. You book it online at least 3 days in advance (GOV.UK Life in the UK Test). You do not need it if you are under 18, are 65 or over, have passed it before, or have a long-term physical or mental condition (you'll need an exemption form or a doctor's letter).
  • English language test. Many applicants must prove their knowledge of English unless an exemption applies. Test prices are set by the test providers, not the Home Office, so check the current price with your provider. From 26 March 2027 the level required for settlement rises to B2 for the settlement routes specified in the Immigration Rules, subject to exemptions.
  • Priority and super priority services (optional). GOV.UK lists a £500 priority fee and a £1,000 super priority fee on top of the application fee, and each family member pays separately (GOV.UK faster decisions). These services are not available for every route or at all times.
  • Biometric appointment. Biometric appointment charges may apply depending on the appointment location, availability and any additional services selected.
  • Professional fees. If you use an adviser, their fee is separate from the Home Office fee.

Can the ILR fee be waived or reduced?

The GOV.UK visa fee waiver service is for people applying for permission to stay in the UK, mainly on family, private life and certain human rights grounds, who cannot afford the fee. It does not describe a waiver for the ILR application fee itself. If you think you may qualify for a reduction or exemption, speak to an adviser before you apply, because the answer depends on your route.

Avoiding a wasted ILR fee

The most expensive mistake is paying £3,226 per person for an application that fails. An application rejected as invalid costs £30 in processing, but you then have to apply again and pay the full fee. A refused application is worse, because you also lose time on your current permission.

Most refusals come down to the requirements: qualifying period, absences, English, the Life in the UK Test and suitability. Our guide to ILR requirements and the visas that lead to settlement explains each one, and our ILR absence calculator helps you check your time outside the UK. For the changes coming in, see our ILR changes 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much is ILR in 2026?

The ILR fee is £3,226 per person for applications made in the UK, under the Home Office fees table that took effect on 8 October 2026. The main applicant and each dependant pay the same amount.

Do children pay the full ILR fee?

Yes. The fees table lists one ILR fee of £3,226 for the main applicant and dependants, so each child included in the application pays £3,226.

Is the ILR fee refundable if I'm refused?

GOV.UK says what you get back when you withdraw an application depends on the stage it has reached (GOV.UK cancel your application). Do not assume you will get the fee back if the application is refused. Ask an adviser to check your application before you pay.

Can I pay to get a faster ILR decision?

Where it is available for your route, you can pay £500 for the priority service or £1,000 for the super priority service, on top of the £3,226 fee. Each family member pays separately.

Is the ILR fee going up?

The fee stayed at £3,226 in the fees table that took effect on 8 October 2026. The Home Office reviews fees regularly, so always check the current GOV.UK fees table on the day you apply.

How Worldwide Immigration can help

Get your ILR application right first time with our IAA-regulated immigration advisers. We check your eligibility, absences, English evidence and documents before you pay the Home Office fee, so you are not risking £3,226 per person on avoidable errors.

Find out more about our indefinite leave to remain service. Book a consultation online https://worldwideimmigration.eu.cliogrow.com/book, call 0203 488 2308, WhatsApp 07360 271841 or email info@worldwideimmigration.co.uk.

Worldwide Immigration advisers are regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), reference F201900032. This article is general guidance, not advice on your case. Eligibility is individual, and fees and rules can change.

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