ILR priority service is an optional upgrade that speeds up the Home Office decision on your settlement application. The standard service processes applications in weeks. Priority service gives a decision within 5 working days of your biometric appointment. Super Priority gives a decision by the end of the next working day. Both cost significantly more than the standard service.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard ILR processing | Up to 6 months |
| Priority service decision | Within 5 working days of biometric appointment |
| Super Priority decision | By end of next working day after biometric appointment |
| Priority service fee (per person) | £500 (in addition to the ILR application fee) |
| Super Priority fee (per person) | £1,000 (in addition to the ILR application fee) |
| Availability | Limited — can sell out; not always available |
Quick Overview
✅ Priority service gives a decision within 5 working days — much faster than standard
✅ Super Priority gives a decision by end of the next working day
✅ The decision is binding — a grant of ILR via priority service is the same as standard
⚠️ Priority services are not always available — slots are limited and sell out quickly
⚠️ Fees are per person — for a family, the total cost is significantly higher
⚠️ If your application is refused, priority fees are generally not refunded
📌 Priority service is worth considering if your visa is expiring soon or you are starting a new job
💡 Book priority service at the time you book your UKVCAS appointment — it cannot be added later
Standard ILR processing can take several weeks. If you need a faster decision — because your visa is expiring, a job offer is pending, or you are planning a trip — priority service is the option.
Check your eligibility before booking using the absence calculator and ILR checklist.
What Is ILR Priority Service?
When you apply for ILR, you can pay an additional fee for a priority or super priority service. This upgrades the speed of processing — the same application, faster decision.
The decision outcome is identical whether you use standard or priority service. A grant is a grant. A refusal is a refusal. Priority service does not increase your chances of approval — it only changes the speed.
Standard service: Your application is processed in the normal queue. Standard ILR processing takes up to 6 months.
Priority service: A decision within 5 working days of your biometric appointment at a UKVCAS service centre.
Super Priority service: A decision by the end of the next working day after your biometric appointment.
How Much Does Priority Service Cost?
Priority service costs £500 per person. Super Priority service costs £1,000 per person. Both are charged in addition to the standard ILR application fee of £3,226 per person.
The fees are charged per person. For a family of four applying together, the priority fee applies to each applicant individually. This makes the total cost substantial for larger families.
The priority fee is paid in addition to the standard ILR application fee of £3,226 per person.
When to Use Priority Service
Priority service is worth considering if:
- Your current visa is expiring within weeks and you want to avoid a gap in status
- You have a job or contract starting that requires confirmed ILR status
- You are planning international travel and need ILR confirmed first
- You are applying for British citizenship and the 12-month clock starts on the ILR grant date — an earlier grant means citizenship eligibility arrives sooner
Priority service is less critical if:
- Your visa has a year or more to run
- Your situation does not depend on a specific decision date
- You are applying well in advance and standard processing is sufficient
How to Book Priority Service
Priority service is selected when you book your UKVCAS appointment — the in-person appointment where you submit your biometrics.
- Complete the ILR application online at GOV.UK
- When booking your UKVCAS appointment, select the priority or super priority service option
- Pay the additional fee at that stage
- Attend your appointment as booked
You cannot add priority service after you have booked your appointment. If priority slots are unavailable, you must proceed with standard service or wait until slots open.
Is Priority Service Always Available?
No. Priority and super priority service slots are limited. They can sell out — especially in busy periods before bank holidays or at the end of the tax year.
If you need priority service, book early. Do not assume slots will be available on the date you want.
If priority service is fully booked, you have two options:
- Book standard service and accept the longer processing time
- Wait until a priority slot becomes available — which could be weeks
For time-sensitive situations, book as early as the 28-day application window allows.
Common Mistakes
❌ Assuming priority service guarantees approval It does not. Priority service changes the speed of processing — not the outcome. If your application has issues, it will still be refused quickly. Ensure your application is complete and correct before paying for priority.
❌ Not budgeting for priority fees per person The fee applies to each applicant. A couple applying together pays double. A family of four pays four times the fee. Calculate the total before deciding whether priority service is worth it.
❌ Trying to add priority service after booking Priority service must be selected when you book your appointment. It cannot be added later. If you miss this step, you are on the standard service.
❌ Not checking availability before planning your timeline If you have a hard deadline — visa expiry, job start, travel — check priority availability before committing to a date. If super priority is sold out, adjust your plan.
❌ Paying for priority service with an incomplete application A faster decision on an incomplete application is still a refusal. If your documents are not ready, standard service gives you more time to prepare properly. Do not rush into priority service with an unready application.
Expert Tips
1. Book priority service as early as possible. Slots disappear. If your qualifying date is approaching and you know you want priority, book the UKVCAS appointment as soon as you enter the 28-day window.
2. Prioritise your application quality over processing speed. A complete, correct application on standard service is better than a rushed application on super priority. The extra speed is only valuable if the application is solid.
3. Use priority service if the 12-month citizenship clock matters to you. The day ILR is granted starts your 12-month countdown to British citizenship eligibility. An earlier ILR grant date means earlier citizenship eligibility. The fee may be worth it for this reason alone.
4. Factor in priority fees when calculating total ILR costs. The ILR cost guide covers the full breakdown. Add priority fees per person to your total budget if you plan to use this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ILR priority service?
ILR priority service is an optional paid upgrade that speeds up the Home Office decision on your ILR application. Priority service gives a decision within 5 working days of your biometric appointment. Super Priority gives a decision by the end of the next working day.
How much does ILR priority service cost?
Priority service costs £500 per person. Super Priority service costs £1,000 per person. Both are in addition to the standard ILR fee of £3,226.
Does priority service increase my chances of ILR being approved?
No. Priority service changes the speed of processing — not the outcome. A grant via priority service is the same as a grant via standard service. An application with issues will still be refused.
Is ILR priority service always available?
No. Priority service slots are limited and can sell out, especially in busy periods. Check availability early and book as soon as you can if you need a fast decision.
Can I add priority service after booking my UKVCAS appointment?
No. Priority service must be selected and paid for at the time you book your appointment. It cannot be added after the booking is confirmed.
How This Aligns With Official Guidance
ILR priority and super priority services are offered through the UKVCAS appointment booking system. The services, availability, and fees are managed by UKVI and published on GOV.UK.
Official Resources
- Indefinite Leave to Remain — GOV.UK — ILR application and priority service options
- UKVCAS appointment booking — where priority service is selected at booking
Our Free Tools
The Life in the UK test is required for ILR — and must be passed before you book your UKVCAS appointment. Use the free practice questions to prepare. Check your absence record with the absence calculator and confirm your documents with the ILR checklist.
Last reviewed: May 2026 — figures correct at time of publication. Always check GOV.UK for the latest priority service fees and availability.