The Home Office fees for UK visa applications made inside the country increased significantly from 9 April 2025. This guide provides a complete breakdown of all current ILR fees, BRP renewal costs, British citizenship charges, and work visa fees so you can plan your immigration journey with clarity and budget accordingly for 2026.
Understanding Home Office Fees UK 2026
The UK Home Office implemented substantial fee increases effective 9 April 2025, representing one of the most significant revisions in recent years. These updated Home Office fees UK affect everyone applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain, British citizenship, work visas, student extensions, and sponsorship licences from inside the country.
The April 2025 changes followed the October 2023 revision which saw 15-20% increases across most categories. For applicants planning their immigration journey in 2026, understanding these costs is essential for proper financial planning, whether applying as an individual or sponsoring family members.
This guide covers every in-country application fee including ILR costs, BRP renewal charges, naturalisation fees, work visa expenses, and sponsorship costs. All figures reflect the current rates effective from April 2025, which remain applicable throughout 2026 unless the Home Office announces further changes. For applications made from outside the UK, see our separate guide on UK visa fees.
ILR Fees UK 2026: Complete Cost Breakdown
How much does ILR cost in 2026?
The ILR fee in 2026 is £3,029 per applicant for standard processing. This applies to both main applicants and dependants. Priority processing adds £500 (5 working days) and super priority adds £1,000 (24 hours), bringing total costs to £3,529 or £4,029 respectively.
The Indefinite Leave to Remain application fee increased by £144 in April 2025, rising from £2,885 to the current rate. This ILR cost UK applies uniformly to all settlement routes including skilled worker, spouse visa, and long residence pathways. Each family member must pay the full ILR application fee individually, making family applications significantly more expensive.
What is included in the ILR application fee?
The ILR fees UK cover the Home Office processing charge only. Applicants must budget separately for biometric enrolment at a UKVCAS centre (included in the standard application fee but appointments may have additional costs for premium services), the Life in the UK Test at £50, and English language test fees if required.
Unlike visa extensions, ILR applications do not require the Immigration Health Surcharge because settlement grants permanent NHS access. However, ILR processing times can extend to six months for standard applications, so applicants needing quicker decisions should consider priority services despite the additional cost.
How much is ILR for a family of four?
A family of four applying for ILR together would pay £12,116 in application fees alone (4 × £3,029). With priority processing, this increases to £14,116. These ILR costs represent a significant financial commitment, and many families choose to apply in stages or save specifically for this milestone. The indefinite leave to remain fee applies equally to adults and children, with no reduced rate for dependants.
- ILR application fee: £3,029 per person
- Life in the UK Test: £50 per adult
- English language test: £150-200 (if required)
- Priority service: +£500 (optional)
- Super priority: +£1,000 (optional)
BRP Renewal Fee 2026: UK Residence Permit Costs
How much does it cost to renew a BRP in the UK?
The BRP renewal fee in 2026 is £19. This fee applies to renewing, replacing, or updating a Biometric Residence Permit, including ILR BRP renewals and EU Settlement Scheme biometric cards. This is one of the few Home Office fees that did not increase in April 2025.
The UK residence permit renewal fee remains affordable at £19, making it one of the lowest Home Office charges. This fee covers BRP replacement for lost, stolen, or damaged cards, renewals when personal details change, and updates to immigration status on the card. The same £19 fee applies regardless of whether the BRP shows limited leave or indefinite leave to remain.
When should you renew your BRP?
You should apply to renew or replace your BRP immediately if the card is lost, stolen, or damaged, or if your personal details have changed (such as name after marriage). Processing typically takes up to 8 weeks, though delays can occur. If your BRP is lost while outside the UK, you must apply for a BRP Replacement Visa costing £154 before you can return.
British Citizenship & Naturalisation Fee 2026
How much does British citizenship cost in 2026?
The naturalisation fee for British citizenship in 2026 is £1,605 per adult, which includes the mandatory £130 citizenship ceremony fee. Adult registration costs £1,576 including the ceremony fee, while child registration remains at £1,214 with no recent increase.
British citizenship through naturalisation is the final step after holding ILR for at least 12 months. The citizenship price increased by £105 in April 2025, bringing the total cost to £1,735 when including the citizenship ceremony. Most applicants must demonstrate good character, meet the residence requirements, and pass the Life in the UK Test.
What other nationality fees apply in 2026?
Beyond the main naturalisation fee, several additional nationality services have specific charges. Renunciation of British nationality costs £482, while a Certificate of Entitlement to Right of Abode costs £589. Status letters confirming nationality or non-acquisition letters each cost £459. These fees apply to less common situations but are important for applicants with complex nationality histories.
- Citizenship Ceremony: £130 (mandatory for adults)
- Renunciation of Nationality: £482
- Certificate of Entitlement: £589
- Status/Non-Acquisition Letter: £459
- Nationality Certificate Correction: £428
Unlike visa applications, there is no priority processing available for naturalisation applications. Processing times can extend to six months or longer during busy periods. Applicants should plan accordingly and submit applications well in advance of any planned travel, as they may need to surrender their BRP during processing.
Work Visa Fees UK 2026
How much does a Skilled Worker visa cost in the UK?
Skilled Worker visa fees in 2026 are £885 for visas up to 3 years and £1,751 for visas over 3 years. Health and Care Worker visas cost significantly less at £304 (up to 3 years) or £590 (over 3 years). All applicants must also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
Work visa fees increased in April 2025 across all categories. The Skilled Worker visa remains the primary route for sponsored employment, requiring a valid Certificate of Sponsorship from a licensed UK employer. In addition to the visa fee, applicants must meet the sponsorship requirements including minimum salary thresholds that vary by occupation.
What are the other work visa fees in 2026?
Beyond the Skilled Worker route, several other work visa categories have specific fee structures. The Global Talent visa costs £766 for main applicants (plus £561 for the approval letter if required). The Innovator Founder visa costs £1,590 plus separate endorsement fees payable to the endorsing body. Scale-up visas cost £880, while the Graduate visa allowing post-study work also costs £880.
- Global Talent Visa: £766 (+ £561 approval letter)
- Innovator Founder: £1,590 (+ endorsement fees)
- Scale-up Visa: £880
- International Sportsperson: £319 (12 months) / £885 (over 12 months)
- Priority Processing: +£500 (5 days) / +£1,000 (24 hours)
Leave to Remain Fees 2026
How much does leave to remain cost in 2026?
Leave to Remain fees in 2026 are £1,321 for standard processing. Priority processing costs £1,821 (5 working days) and super priority costs £2,321 (next working day). The leave to remain fee increased by £273 in April 2025, one of the largest single increases.
Leave to Remain applications allow individuals to extend their stay in the UK on various routes including spouse visa extensions, family routes, and private life applications. The FLR application forms (FLR-M, FLR-FP, FLR-IR, FLR-O, FLR-HR) are used depending on the specific extension category.
Student Visa & Graduate Route Fees 2026
How much does a student visa extension cost in the UK?
Student visa extension or switching fees in 2026 are £524 for standard processing. The Graduate Route visa costs £880 and allows 2 years of post-study work (3 years for doctoral graduates). The High Potential Individual visa also costs £880.
International students extending their UK student visa or switching from another category must budget for the £524 fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge at the reduced student rate of £776 per year. Universities must issue a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) before students can apply, and the CAS fee payable by institutions has increased to £55.
Sponsorship Licence & CoS Fees 2026
How much does a Certificate of Sponsorship cost in 2026?
The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee for Skilled Worker visas is £525 per worker in 2026, more than double the previous £239 rate. Sponsor licence fees are £1,579 for large sponsors and £574 for small sponsors. The Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) fee for student sponsors is £55.
Employers hiring foreign workers must hold a valid sponsor licence and assign a Certificate of Sponsorship to each worker. The April 2025 fee changes hit employers particularly hard, with the CoS fee increasing by 120%. This makes hiring each foreign worker significantly more expensive and affects recruitment budgets across all sectors.
Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) 2026
What is the IHS fee in 2026?
The Immigration Health Surcharge in 2026 is £1,035 per year for most visa applicants and £776 per year for students and children. The IHS did not increase in April 2025 as it was already raised in February 2024. The surcharge is payable upfront for the entire visa duration.
The Immigration Health Surcharge grants access to NHS services during your stay in the UK. It applies to all visa applicants staying longer than six months except those on Health and Care Worker visas (who are exempt) and certain fee waiver cases. The IHS represents a significant additional cost, particularly for families and those on longer visa routes.
For a 5-year Skilled Worker visa, the total IHS cost is £5,175 per applicant. A 2.5-year spouse visa extension costs £2,587.50 in IHS alone. Students benefit from the reduced rate, paying £1,940 for a 2.5-year course. These amounts must be paid upfront alongside the visa application fee, requiring careful financial planning.
- ILR fees are £3,029 per person with no reduced rate for dependants
- BRP renewal remains affordable at £19 per application
- British citizenship costs £1,735 including the ceremony fee
- Certificate of Sponsorship fees doubled to £525 per worker
- IHS adds £1,035/year (most applicants) or £776/year (students)
For the official and most current fee information, always refer to the UK Government's visa fee table. Fees can change following government announcements, typically with several weeks' notice before implementation. Planning your application timing carefully can help you avoid unexpected fee increases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the ILR fee in 2026?
The ILR fee in 2026 is £3,029 per applicant for standard processing. This applies to both main applicants and dependants equally. Priority processing costs £3,529 (5 working days) and super priority costs £4,029 (next working day). The fee increased by £144 in April 2025.
What is the BRP renewal fee in 2026?
The BRP renewal fee in 2026 is £19. This applies to renewing, replacing, or updating a Biometric Residence Permit, including ILR BRP renewals and EU Settlement Scheme biometric residence cards. This fee did not increase in April 2025 and remains one of the lowest Home Office charges.
How much does British citizenship naturalisation cost?
British citizenship through naturalisation costs £1,605 per adult in 2026. The citizenship ceremony fee of £130 is mandatory for adults, bringing the total cost to £1,735. Child registration fees are £1,214. There is no priority processing available for citizenship applications, and standard processing takes up to six months.
What is the total cost of ILR including all fees?
The total cost for an ILR application includes the £3,029 application fee, £50 Life in the UK Test, and approximately £150-200 for an English language test if required. Priority processing adds £500 and super priority adds £1,000. Unlike visa extensions, ILR applications do not require the Immigration Health Surcharge. The minimum total cost is approximately £3,229-3,279 per person.
How much is the Immigration Health Surcharge in 2026?
The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) in 2026 is £1,035 per year for most applicants and £776 per year for students and children under 18. The IHS must be paid upfront for the entire visa duration. Health and Care Worker visa holders and their dependants are exempt from paying the surcharge.
What is the Certificate of Sponsorship fee for Skilled Workers?
The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) fee for Skilled Worker visas is £525 per worker in 2026. This represents a 120% increase from the previous £239 fee. Temporary Worker CoS fees are £55. The sponsor licence itself costs £1,579 for large organisations and £574 for small sponsors and charities.
How much does a leave to remain extension cost in 2026?
Leave to Remain extension fees in 2026 are £1,321 for standard processing, £1,821 for priority processing (5 working days), and £2,321 for super priority processing (next working day). This fee increased by £273 in April 2025. The Immigration Health Surcharge is payable in addition to the application fee for most extension routes.
When did Home Office fees last increase?
The most recent Home Office fee increase took effect on 9 April 2025. This followed the previous increase in October 2023, which raised fees by 15-20% across most categories. The Immigration Health Surcharge was separately increased on 6 February 2024. Fees are typically reviewed annually and may increase with several weeks' notice.