ILR application fee vs UK citizenship cost 2025: real costs
Planning your move from long-term residence to full British citizenship? The costs in 2025 add up quickly—and not just the headline fees. This guide breaks down the real, end-to-end spend for ILR (indefinite leave to remain) and naturalisation, where to check official updates, and practical ways to save without risking refusal.
We cover: current fee snapshots, what’s included vs excluded, full cost breakdowns for ILR and citizenship, side-by-side comparisons, timelines, hidden extras, money-saving tactics (including how to avoid test retakes), and a DIY budget worksheet.
Who this guide is for and how to use it
This article is for applicants budgeting the true 2025 costs of UK settlement and naturalisation—especially those comparing the ILR application fee with the UK citizenship cost 2025. Use it to:
Scan the 2025 fee snapshot to size your core spend.
Drill into what headline fees include (and what they don’t).
Map your payment timeline so you are never caught short.
Spot hidden extras like tests, translations and travel.
Apply proven savings tips that do not compromise compliance.
New to the process? Start with our step-by-step overviews: Indefinite Leave to Remain: Your Step-by-Step Roadmap and How to Get British Citizenship: The Complete Guide.
2025 fees snapshot: ILR application fee and UK citizenship cost
Here’s a simplified snapshot based on official guidance and trusted practitioner sources. Always verify latest rates before paying, as fees can change.
ILR application fee (headline): £3,029 per applicant; non-refundable if unsuccessful (source: practitioner summary). Biometrics typically £19.20 per applicant for ILR enrolment.
Citizenship (naturalisation) total: £1,735 for adults, which includes the ceremony fee (£130). No separate biometrics fee for naturalisation on GOV.UK.
Not included in headline fees: priority/super priority, tests (Life in the UK, English), translations, document services, travel and postage, optional passport.
Processing guide: Standard ILR decisions usually within 6 months; super priority (if available) aims for next working day after biometrics for an extra £1,000.
Confirming current rates: where to check official updates
GOV.UK: Long residence (ILR) for standard timelines, super priority availability and travel rules while your ILR is pending.
GOV.UK: Apply for citizenship if you have ILR for the total naturalisation fee and ceremony information.
GOV.UK: Home Office immigration and nationality fees for consolidated fee tables and updates.
GOV.UK: Citizenship ceremonies for ceremony rules and timelines.
What’s included vs excluded in headline fees
Included (typical): ILR application processing; naturalisation application processing and citizenship ceremony.
Excluded: Life in the UK Test, English B1 test (if required), translations/certifications, document scanning/printing, postage, travel to appointments, legal advice, priority/super priority services, optional UK passport.
Biometrics: For ILR, expect a biometrics enrolment fee (commonly £19.20). For citizenship, GOV.UK indicates no biometrics fee.
ILR application fee: full 2025 breakdown
Budget beyond the headline ILR application fee to avoid surprises. Typical line items include:
ILR application fee: £3,029 per applicant; non-refundable if refused.
Biometric enrolment: ~£19.20 per applicant (adults and children).
Optional speed: Super priority service (if offered) +£1,000 for a next working day decision after biometrics.
Life in the UK Test: £50 per attempt; mandatory for most ILR routes.
English language (B1 or higher): Costs vary by provider and location; only approved tests/qualifications are accepted.
Translations/certifications: If documents are not in English or Welsh; price depends on complexity and urgency.
Document services: Some UKVCAS centres charge for scanning/printing; premium locations may cost more.
Travel/postage: Getting to test and biometric centres; secure postage for passports/originals if requested.
Legal advice/representation: Optional but valuable for complex cases.
Standard processing vs Priority and Super Priority
Standard ILR decisions are usually within 6 months. If speed is essential and availability allows, super priority adds £1,000 for a decision by the end of the next working day after biometrics for weekday appointments. Priority offerings can vary by route and capacity—always check your application portal at the time of booking.
Life in the UK Test and English language proof
Life in the UK Test: £50 per attempt. Book only via GOV.UK. Failing means paying again and delaying your ILR submission.
English language (KoLL): Provide an approved B1-level test/degree taught in English or a national of a majority English-speaking country. Fees vary by provider; check availability early.
Documents, translations, and biometric enrolment
Translations: Use certified translators; costs depend on page count, technicality, and turnaround time.
Biometrics for ILR: Budget around £19.20 per person; some premium centres charge for enhanced services.
Document scanning/printing: If you prefer in-centre services, expect additional fees.
Legal advice and representation
Typical fee models:
One-off consultation for eligibility checks and document lists (fixed price).
Application review to reduce refusal risk and ensure supporting evidence is aligned.
Full representation for complex histories (immigration gaps, absences, previous refusals).
If your case is straightforward, you may do it yourself using official guidance and checklists. If not, experienced OISC advisers/solicitors can save costly reapplications.
UK citizenship cost 2025: full breakdown
Once you hold ILR (or settled status), naturalisation is typically a one-off cost. In 2025, budget for:
Naturalisation application (adult): £1,735 total, which includes the £130 citizenship ceremony fee.
Biometrics for citizenship: No fee indicated on GOV.UK.
Child registration: £1,214 (ceremony not usually applicable for children).
Optional UK passport: Separate fee; varies by method and page count. Check passport fees.
Naturalisation application vs ceremony vs passport
Application: Pay in full when you submit or the case is invalid (an admin charge may be applied if payment fails).
Ceremony: Included in the adult total. You must attend within 3 months of your invitation.
Passport: Apply after you receive your certificate of naturalisation; separate fee and processing time.
Evidence requirements and hidden admin costs
Referees: Two referees with specific criteria; factor time to obtain details and signatures.
Documents: Travel records, ILR proof, residence evidence. Translations if needed.
Police certificates (if applicable): Some applicants obtain an ACRO police certificate to evidence good character; see ACRO for fees and processing.
Side-by-side comparison: ILR vs citizenship costs in 2025
The table shows typical core fees. Your total will vary with add-ons like super priority, translations, legal advice, and travel.
Cost item ILR (settlement) Citizenship (naturalisation) Headline application fee £3,029 per applicant £1,735 per adult (incl. ceremony) Biometrics ~£19.20 per person No fee indicated Life in the UK Test £50 per attempt Not required if already passed for ILR English test May be required (cost varies) May be required (reuse possible) Priority/super priority Super priority +£1,000 (if available) Not typically applicable Passport (optional) Not applicable Additional fee after ceremony
Typical routes: Skilled Worker, Spouse/Partner, Ancestry
Your route to ILR affects your lifetime spend before naturalisation. Example: Skilled Worker visa holders pay visa fees plus the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) on each grant before ILR. If your job is on the Immigration Salary List, reduced visa fees may apply.
Skilled Worker standard fee range and IHS are set per duration and location.
Reduced Skilled Worker fees apply for roles on the Immigration Salary List.
Some employers sponsor visa fees or IHS—confirm your benefits early.
One-time vs recurring payments across the journey
One-time: ILR application, naturalisation application, ceremony, first passport.
Potentially recurring: Life in the UK Test (if retaken), English test (if it expires before reuse), translation updates, additional document requests.
Payment timeline: when each fee hits your budget
Use this step-by-step overview to plan cash flow.
Pre-ILR prep (4–12 weeks before applying): Pay Life in the UK Test (£50) and any English test fees; budget for travel to test centres.
Document readiness (2–6 weeks before): Pay for translations, certified copies, or document scanning as needed.
At ILR submission: Pay the ILR application fee (£3,029) and book biometrics (~£19.20 per person). If super priority is available and needed, add £1,000.
ILR decision window: Standard decisions usually within 6 months. Do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, or your ILR application will be withdrawn.
Naturalisation window (usually 12 months after ILR): Pay the £1,735 total naturalisation fee when you submit.
Citizenship ceremony (within 3 months of invitation): Ceremony cost is included in your naturalisation fee.
After ceremony: If applying for a UK passport, pay the relevant passport fee.
Strategic timing: avoiding overlaps and rush premiums
Book tests early to avoid last-minute travel or retakes that push your ILR date beyond visa expiry.
Prepare documents in parallel so you don’t pay for super priority purely to meet an avoidable deadline.
Re-use evidence (e.g., English test or Life in the UK pass) where allowed, to avoid duplicate fees.
Check employer support for Skilled Worker routes—some reimburse visa or IHS costs.
Hidden costs that inflate your total
Retake fees for the Life in the UK Test or English tests.
Translations for non-English/Welsh documents, especially if urgent.
Travel and time off work for tests, biometrics, and ceremonies.
Document services (scanning/printing at premium UKVCAS centres).
Courier/postage for secure document handling if requested.
Legal corrections if errors require reapplication.
Refusals, reapplications, and document corrections
Refusals are expensive. ILR and naturalisation fees are largely non-refundable if the application is refused or withdrawn; rejected applications may be refunded minus an administration fee. Minimise risk by preparing evidence carefully, meeting residence rules, and checking travel/absence limits.
Save money without risking refusal
Start early: Take the Life in the UK Test well ahead of your ILR submission; it does not expire.
Use official sources: Follow GOV.UK checklists to avoid missing documents that lead to delays or rejections.
Only pay for speed when it matters: Super priority is worth it for hard deadlines, not for routine cases.
Reuse tests/qualifications where permitted for citizenship to avoid duplicate costs.
Get a pre-application review if your case is complex; it’s cheaper than a refusal plus a new fee.
Avoid retake costs: nail the Life in the UK Test first time
Each retake costs £50 plus travel and lost time. Two common pitfalls are cramming too late and studying the wrong materials. A structured, mobile-friendly prep routine helps you pass on the first attempt—keeping your ILR timeline on track.
Smart prep with the Life in the UK Test App
The Life in the UK Test App is built to prevent overwhelm, missed deadlines, and paid retakes:
Readiness score shows when you are truly exam-ready.
650+ Q&A with explanations to cover the official handbook content thoroughly.
Hard-mode mock tests that simulate real-exam pressure.
Smart learning assistant to focus your effort efficiently.
Offline access for on-the-go learning without data costs.
Real-world result: users who follow the readiness score and complete hard-mode mocks report confident first-time passes, avoiding £50 retakes and ILR delays.
Get the app: Download on App Store: https://apps.apple.com/app/id6743702124 | Get it on Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=net.briceventures.life_in_the_uk_test
Also see our expert method: Prepare for Life in the UK Test: Expert Method for First-Time Pass.
Fee waivers, refunds, and financial support
Citizenship fee waivers are limited. Some children (e.g., stateless applicants under 18 who cannot afford the fee) may qualify for a waiver.
Refunds: If refused or withdrawn, most application fees are not refunded. If an application is rejected as invalid, GOV.UK indicates a refund may be issued minus an administration fee (commonly £28).
Employer support: Skilled Worker applicants should ask about sponsorship of visa fees/IHS.
Community/legal clinics: Seek low-cost advice for complex cases to avoid expensive reapplications.
DIY budget worksheet: plan your ILR-to-citizenship spend
Copy this checklist into your notes and fill in the amounts relevant to your family.
Line item Quantity Unit cost Estimated total ILR application fee __ applicants £3,029 £____ ILR biometrics __ persons ~£19.20 £____ Super priority (optional) __ applications £1,000 £____ Life in the UK Test __ attempts £50 £____ English test (if needed) __ tests £____ £____ Translations/certifications __ pages £____ £____ Document services (UKVCAS) __ visits £____ £____ Travel/postage/courier — £____ £____ Legal advice (optional) — £____ £____ Citizenship (adult) __ applicants £1,735 £____ Child registration __ children £1,214 £____ UK passport (optional) __ passports £____ £____
Monthly saving plan and contingency buffer
Set a target date for ILR submission and work backwards to create a monthly savings goal.
Add a 10–15% buffer for unexpected costs (retakes, urgent translations, extra travel).
Stagger expenses: Pay for tests and translations before the big ILR and citizenship fees to smooth cash flow.
Track progress using a simple spreadsheet or budgeting app.
FAQs about ILR and citizenship fees in 2025
How much is the ILR application fee in 2025?
The ILR application fee is commonly cited as £3,029 per applicant. Always verify on GOV.UK before applying, as fees can change.
What is the UK citizenship cost in 2025 for adults?
£1,735 total for naturalisation, which includes the £130 citizenship ceremony fee. No separate biometrics fee is indicated.
How long does ILR take and can I travel while it is pending?
Standard ILR decisions are usually within 6 months. Do not travel outside the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision; your ILR application would be withdrawn.
Do I need to pay for the Life in the UK Test again for citizenship?
No, if you passed for ILR you do not need to retake it for naturalisation. Keep your pass number safe.
Are fees refundable if my application is refused or withdrawn?
Generally no. Rejected applications may be refunded minus an administration fee (often £28). Check the latest GOV.UK policy.
Sources and update notes
Official sources and practitioner references used in this guide include:
GOV.UK: Long residence (ILR) — processing times, super priority (+£1,000), and travel restrictions while pending.
GOV.UK: Apply for citizenship if you have ILR — £1,735 total fee (incl. ceremony) and timelines.
GOV.UK: Citizenship ceremonies — attend within 3 months; fee included in adult total.
GOV.UK: Immigration and nationality fees — consolidated fee updates.
GOV.UK: Life in the UK Test — £50 per attempt and booking rules.
GOV.UK: English language requirements — approved tests and exemptions.
GOV.UK: Skilled Worker costs — visa fee ranges, IHS and reduced fees on the Immigration Salary List.
GOV.UK: Fees for citizenship applications — refund policy and admin fee for rejected applications.
GOV.UK: Stateless applications — child fee waivers and costs.
ACRO Police Certificates — optional evidence and fees.
Practitioner fee summaries for ILR (£3,029) and ILR biometrics (~£19.20) and naturalisation fee components used for context.
Monitor updates before you apply. Fees and service availability can change during the year.
Next steps on your journey: explore our UK Immigration Roadmap: Visa to Citizenship Success and, after your ceremony, our Applying for British Passport: Post-Ceremony Checklist.