Immigration Application Fees — Budgeting for ILR
Planning for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) means budgeting not only for Home Office application fees but also the immigration health surcharge, biometrics and possible legal support. Use our ILR timeline tool to see how fees stack up across your application timeline.
Typical cost elements
- Application fee — the Home Office charge for the specific ILR application route you choose.
- Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) — payable in many visa applications and sometimes charged per year of leave.
- Biometrics fees — appointment and biometric enrolment costs (varies by provider and country).
- Priority or super-priority services — optional paid services to speed up decisions (where available).
- Legal or advisory fees — if you choose specialist immigration help.
Estimating total budget
To produce a practical budget, add the one-off Home Office fee, multiply annual IHS by the number of relevant years, and include contingency (recommended 10–20% for unexpected requests or extra evidence fees). Remember biometric and appointment travel costs if you must attend a distant centre.
One authoritative reference
For definitive and up-to-date fee tables, consult GOV.UK’s official pages on application fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge. These pages list the current amounts and any recent changes. GOV.UK — visas and immigration fees
Practical checklist to reduce surprise costs
- Check the exact fee for your ILR route on GOV.UK before submitting.
- Confirm whether IHS was paid previously and how it applies to a settlement application.
- Factor in biometrics and travel costs for appointments.
- Consider priority services only when time-critical and after weighing the cost-benefit.
- Get at least one independent quote for legal help if you plan to use a solicitor.
How fees interact with other planning elements
Fees can influence application timing — for example, applying earlier may save additional years of IHS or avoid higher future fees. Use the fees guide together with our Absence and Continuous Residence guides to plan the optimal submission moment.
Related guides (one link each)
- Absence Calculator Guide — counting absences & the 180-day test
- Continuous Residence Guide — 5 and 10 year rules explained
- Income & Financial Requirements guide
FAQs
Do I always have to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for ILR?
Not always — exemptions and prior payments can affect liability. Check the official IHS guidance on GOV.UK for your specific case.
Can I recover fees if an application is refused?
Generally no: Home Office fees are usually non-refundable even if an application is refused. Confirm specifics on the GOV.UK fee pages.
Are priority services worth the cost?
Priority services reduce wait times but increase costs. Use them only when delay would cause material harm (e.g., job start dates) and confirm the service is available for your application type.
Published: September 15, 2025 — plan costs carefully and use the ILR timeline tool when mapping fees across your application dates.