UK permanent residence is officially Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). From 8 April 2026 the Home Office application fee is £3,226 per person. There is no Immigration Health Surcharge at the ILR stage. This page is a cost breakdown for Indians on work, family and student-to-work routes — not a solicitor’s advice.
Always confirm the live figure on GOV.UK Home Office fees (8 April 2026) before you pay.
ILR application costs (from 8 April 2026)
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ILR application fee | £3,226 per person | SET(O), SET(M) and most other settlement forms |
| Immigration Health Surcharge | £0 at ILR | IHS is not charged at settlement |
| Life in the UK test | £50 per attempt | Pass is normally valid for life |
| English language (SELT B1), if needed | £150–£230 | Skip if you already hold an accepted qualification or exemption |
| Priority service (optional) | £500 | About 5 working days, availability limited |
| Super priority (optional) | £1,000 | Next working day, in-country, limited slots |
| Legal help (optional) | £800–£2,000 | Only if your absences, refusals or documents are messy |
| Basic ILR (one adult) | £3,276+ | Fee + Life in the UK test, no priority |
What an Indian family actually budgets
Fees are charged per person. Two adults applying together pay £6,452 in Home Office ILR fees before tests or priority. Add a child and the Home Office line becomes £9,678.
| Household | Home Office ILR fees | With tests (no priority) |
|---|---|---|
| One adult | £3,226 | ~£3,276–£3,456 |
| Couple | £6,452 | ~£6,552–£6,912 |
| Couple + one child | £9,678 | ~£9,828–£10,188 |
That is only the settlement stage. The years of Skilled Worker (or spouse) fees and IHS that got you to year five are a separate, much larger number — see UK Skilled Worker visa cost 2026.
After ILR: British citizenship (optional)
| Item | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Naturalisation (Form AN) | £1,709 |
| Citizenship ceremony | £130 (usually paid with the application) |
| British passport (adult, online) | about £102 |
| Citizenship subtotal | ~£1,941 |
Most people wait 12 months after ILR. Spouses of British citizens can often apply sooner. There is no priority service for naturalisation.
Eligibility Indians actually trip over
- Continuous residence: usually 5 years (some Skilled Worker / Global Talent routes are 3). Keep every boarding pass.
- Absences: typically no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months, with limited exceptions.
- English: CEFR B1 unless exempt.
- Life in the UK test: book early; many people fail the first sitting (£50 each time).
- Good character: NHS debt, tax issues and even minor convictions can sink an otherwise clean file.
How to keep the file cheap and clean
- Log every trip outside the UK from day one of the visa.
- Keep P60s, payslips, tenancy / council tax and bank statements in one folder.
- Sit Life in the UK at least 3 months before you can apply.
- Apply no earlier than 28 days before the qualifying date.
- If you have gaps, overstays or a previous refusal, pay for regulated advice (OISC / solicitor) instead of guessing.
ગુજરાતી વાંચનારા માટે: યુકે ILR / PR ની કિંમત 2026.
FAQ: UK ILR cost 2026
How much is UK PR in 2026?
The ILR application fee is £3,226 per person from 8 April 2026. Budget ~£50 for the Life in the UK test and English only if you still need it. IHS is not charged at ILR.
Is ILR the same as PR?
For everyday use, yes. The UK legal name is Indefinite Leave to Remain. It is not British citizenship.
Can ILR lapse if I go back to India?
Yes. Spending more than 2 continuous years outside the UK can cause ILR to lapse. Plan trips accordingly.
Do children pay the full fee?
Yes. Settlement fees are per applicant, including children, unless a rare exemption applies.
General information only, not immigration advice. Fees change. Check GOV.UK or a regulated adviser for your case. Last verified against the 8 April 2026 Home Office fee table.
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