How Much Does ILR Cost in 2026?

ILR costs £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026. That is a significant amount. On top of that, each applicant also needs to pay for the Life in the UK test (£50) and a B1 English test. For a family of four adults, the ILR fee alone is £12,904. This page breaks down every cost so you know exactly what to expect.

Key Facts at a Glance

Cost Item	Amount
ILR application fee (per person, from 8 April 2026)	£3,226
Life in the UK test (per person)	£50
B1 English test (per person)	£150 to £215 depending on provider and location
Immigration Health Surcharge at ILR stage	Not applicable — ILR applicants are fully exempt
Biometric enrolment fee	£19.20 per person (standard UKVCAS appointment)
ILR application fee — refundable if refused?	No
Total for 2 adults (ILR only)	£6,452
Total for 4 adults (ILR only)	£12,904

Quick Overview

✅ The ILR fee is £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026 — this is the confirmed figure
✅ Children apply separately — each person in the family needs their own application
⚠️ The fee is not refunded if your application is refused — make sure your application is complete
⚠️ The total journey cost includes the Life in the UK test and B1 English test on top of the ILR fee
📌 Most applicants do NOT pay the Immigration Health Surcharge again at ILR stage — it was paid with the original visa
📌 After ILR, NHS access continues with no further surcharge payments
💡 A family of 4 adults applying together faces a combined ILR bill of £12,904 — plan well ahead
💡 The cost of ILR is far less than the cost of reapplying for a visa every 2-3 years

The ILR Fee From 8 April 2026

The Home Office increased ILR fees on 8 April 2026. The current fee for most ILR applications (Indefinite Leave to Remain, in-country) is £3,226 per person.

This applies to the most common ILR routes including Skilled Worker and family visas. If you are applying on a different route, check GOV.UK for the specific fee that applies to your category, as fees vary.

This is a large fee. It is worth saying plainly: the Home Office does not offer payment plans. You need to have this amount available when you submit your application.

What the £3,226 ILR Fee Includes

The ILR application fee covers the processing of your application by the Home Office. It includes:

Assessment of your application and supporting documents
A decision from a caseworker

It does not include the biometric enrolment fee, which is charged separately by UKVCAS at £19.20 per person for a standard appointment. Premium, weekend, or out-of-hours appointments cost an additional £60–£200.

It does not include:

The Life in the UK test fee (£50 — paid separately when you book)
The B1 English test fee (paid separately to the test provider)
Legal or immigration adviser fees if you use one
Document translation costs if applicable

Is the ILR Fee Refunded if You Are Refused?

No. The ILR application fee is not refunded if your application is refused.

This is why it is critical to make sure your application is complete and correct before you submit. A refused application costs you £3,226 and you have to pay again if you reapply. Use our free ILR refusal risk checker to identify any weaknesses before you apply.

The most common reasons for refusal include:

Incomplete supporting documents
Absences from the UK that exceed the allowed limit
Failure to meet the English language or Life in the UK test requirements
Issues with the "good character" requirement

Check every requirement carefully. If you are unsure, consider getting advice from an OISC-regulated immigration adviser before submitting.

The Full Cost of the ILR Journey

The ILR application fee is the largest single cost, but it is not the only one. Here is the full picture:

Life in the UK test: £50 per person Every applicant must pass the Life in the UK test. If you fail and retake, each attempt costs £50. Most people pass first time with good preparation — use free practice tools at PassTheUKTest.

B1 English test: £150 to £215 depending on provider and location Most applicants also need a B1 speaking and listening test from an approved provider. This is a separate cost paid directly to the test provider.

Immigration adviser fees: variable Not required, but many people choose to use a regulated adviser. Fees vary significantly. An OISC-regulated adviser can reduce the risk of errors that lead to refusal.

Total example — 2 adults applying together:

ILR fees: £6,452 (2 × £3,226)
Life in the UK tests: £100 (2 × £50)
B1 English tests: £300 to £430 (2 × £150–£215)
Biometric enrolment: £38.40 (2 × £19.20 standard appointment)
Estimated total: approximately £6,890–£7,020 before adviser fees

Does ILR Include the Immigration Health Surcharge?

Most ILR applicants do NOT pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) at the ILR stage. Here is why.

The IHS was paid upfront when you first got your visa, covering the period of your leave. When you apply for ILR, you are moving from temporary leave to permanent status — and the IHS does not apply to people with permanent status.

Once you have ILR, you have full access to the NHS with no further surcharge payments.

ILR applicants are fully exempt from the IHS. This exemption also applies to dependants applying for ILR at the same time. Neither the main applicant nor their dependants pay new IHS when applying for ILR.

Family Costs — What Each Person Pays

Every person in your family must make their own separate ILR application and pay the fee individually. Children must also apply and pay the fee.

2 adults: £6,452 in ILR fees
2 adults + 2 children: £12,904 in ILR fees

Children also need to pass the Life in the UK test if they are 18 or over. Under 18 they are exempt from the test requirement.

This is one of the most significant household expenses many families will face. Planning ahead financially — saving each month in the years before your 5-year qualifying date — makes this much more manageable. Use our ILR eligibility calculator to see your eligibility date and total estimated cost for your family. Before applying, use our free UK absence calculator to verify your trips do not breach the 180-day rule in any 12-month period.

Before you apply, use our free ILR document checklist to make sure you have every required document for your visa type — a missing document is one of the most common reasons for delays.

After ILR — Costs for British Citizenship

ILR is not the end of the road. If you want British citizenship, you can apply after 1 further year of residence with ILR. The cost is a separate fee: £1,709 for the naturalisation application plus £130 for the citizenship ceremony — a total of £1,839 per adult.

Children's citizenship registration costs £1,000 per child.

Factor this into your long-term planning if British citizenship is your goal.

Common Mistakes

❌ Not budgeting for the B1 English test and Life in the UK test Many people calculate their ILR cost as just the application fee. The Life in the UK test (£50) and B1 English test add to the total. If you fail and retake either test, costs increase. Budget for the full journey.

❌ Assuming the fee is refundable if refused The ILR application fee is not refunded on refusal. A refused application means you have lost £3,226 and must pay again to reapply. This makes thorough preparation critical.

❌ Applying before you meet all requirements Some applicants rush to apply before they are genuinely eligible — perhaps before completing 5 full years or before having their B1 certificate. A premature application is refused. The fee is lost.

❌ Not accounting for each family member's separate fee A couple applying together does not pay one fee. Each person pays £3,226. A family of four pays £12,904. Many people underestimate the total family cost until they are ready to apply.

❌ Using unofficial payment services Always pay directly through GOV.UK when submitting your ILR application. Avoid third-party payment services that claim to process Home Office applications — they are not official and may be scams.

Expert Tips

Start saving for ILR as soon as you arrive in the UK. If you save a small amount each month from the start of your 5-year qualifying period, the £3,226 fee (or more for a family) is far less of a shock. Treat it as a planned expense.
Book and pass the Life in the UK test early. The test costs £50. Passing it a year before you apply for ILR is fine — the result never expires. Passing early means one less thing to worry about closer to your application date.
Check the exact fee for your specific ILR category. The £3,226 figure applies to most in-country ILR applications. Some categories have different fees. Check GOV.UK for your specific route.
Do not apply until you have the B1 test certificate in hand. Your application must include the B1 certificate. Do not submit without it — an incomplete application may be refused or returned.
Consider whether an immigration adviser is worth it. A regulated OISC adviser may charge several hundred pounds, but they significantly reduce the risk of a costly error. If your situation is straightforward, a DIY application with careful preparation is fine. If there are complications — absences, previous refusals, gaps in employment — professional advice is worth the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

The ILR fee is £3,226 per person for most in-country applications from 8 April 2026. Each family member pays separately. The fee does not include the Life in the UK test (£50) or B1 English test.

Is the ILR fee refunded if I am refused?

No. The application fee is not refunded if your application is refused. Make sure your application is complete and you meet all requirements before submitting.

Does my child need to pay the ILR fee?

Yes. Every person applying for ILR, including children, must pay the full fee of £3,226. Children under 18 are exempt from the Life in the UK test but must still pay the ILR application fee.

Do I pay the Immigration Health Surcharge again for ILR?

Most ILR applicants do not pay new IHS at the ILR stage — it was already paid with your original visa. Once you have ILR, you have full NHS access with no further surcharge. ILR applicants are fully exempt from IHS, and this exemption applies to dependants applying for ILR at the same time.

When do I pay the ILR fee?

You pay when you submit your application online through GOV.UK. Payment is taken at the point of submission, before your application is assessed.

Has the ILR fee increased recently?

Yes. The fee was increased to £3,226 per person on 8 April 2026. Check GOV.UK for any future changes before you apply.

How This Aligns With Official Guidance

The £3,226 ILR fee is confirmed in the Home Office immigration fees document updated on 8 April 2026. All application fees are published on GOV.UK and updated when changes are made. The guidance that most ILR applicants do not pay further IHS is confirmed in Home Office settlement guidance.

Official Resources

Our Free Tools

Reduce the cost of preparation by using free tools for the Life in the UK test:

570 practice questions — full question bank, free
Mock exam — timed, 24 questions, just like the real test
Cheat sheet — key facts to memorise before the test
How to pass guide — the fastest path to a first-time pass

Plan the Full Journey Now

The ILR fee is fixed. The best thing you can do is plan for it, prepare your documents early, and pass all requirements first time. Start with the Life in the UK test — it is the cheapest part of the journey and fully within your control.

Last reviewed: April 2026 — figures correct at time of publication. Always check GOV.UK for the latest fees and requirements.