ILR Fee Waiver
Who qualifies for a fee waiver, how to apply, and what happens to priority service fees.
Last updated: 30 August 2026
What Is an ILR Fee Waiver?
The ILR application fee is substantial. If you cannot afford it, the Home Office offers a fee waiver that can cover the standard application fee. The waiver is designed for people in genuine financial hardship and is assessed separately from the ILR application itself.
See our full ILR fees guide for the current application fee →
Who Is Eligible?
You may be eligible for a fee waiver if you meet one of the following criteria:
Destitution
You are destitute — meaning you lack adequate accommodation or cannot meet your essential living needs (food, heating, basic clothing). This is the most straightforward ground for a waiver.
Risk of Destitution
You would become destitute if you had to pay the fee — i.e. paying the fee would leave you unable to meet your essential living needs within 3 months of payment.
Exceptional Circumstances
There are exceptional circumstances affecting your ability to pay, particularly where a child's welfare is involved. This is a broader category assessed on a case-by-case basis.
How to Apply
You apply for the fee waiver at the same time as your ILR application. The process involves:
- Completing the fee waiver request form (available on gov.uk).
- Providing evidence of your financial situation: bank statements (typically 3–6 months), proof of income, proof of savings, and evidence of expenses.
- Providing evidence of your circumstances: e.g. a letter from a support service, evidence of homelessness, or evidence that you are unable to afford basic necessities.
- Submitting the fee waiver request alongside your ILR application.
The Home Office assesses the fee waiver request before processing the ILR application. If the waiver is approved, you will not need to pay the standard application fee. If it is refused, you will need to pay the fee before your ILR application is processed.
Priority and Super Priority Fees Under a Waiver
The fee waiver covers the standard ILR application fee. Priority and super priority service fees are optional add-on services and are not automatically waived. If you need a faster decision but cannot afford the priority fee, you should explain this in your fee waiver application. The Home Office may exercise discretion, but there is no guarantee that priority fees will be waived.
Note: Fee waiver eligibility criteria and processes may change. Always check the official gov.uk fee waiver guidance before applying, and seek advice from an OISC-registered immigration adviser or SRA-regulated solicitor if you are unsure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for an ILR fee waiver?
You may qualify for a fee waiver if you are destitute, at risk of destitution within 3 months, or if there are exceptional circumstances affecting your ability to pay — particularly where a child's welfare is involved. Each application is assessed on its own merits based on your financial circumstances.
How do I apply for an ILR fee waiver?
You apply for a fee waiver at the same time as your ILR application. You will need to complete a fee waiver request form and provide evidence of your financial situation, including bank statements, proof of income, and evidence of your circumstances (e.g. homelessness, inability to afford basic necessities). The fee waiver request is assessed before the ILR application is processed.
What happens to priority and super priority fees under a waiver?
If your fee waiver is approved, the standard ILR application fee is waived. However, priority and super priority service fees are not automatically waived — these are optional add-on services. If you need a faster decision but cannot afford the priority fee, you should explain this in your fee waiver application. The Home Office may exercise discretion, but there is no guarantee.
Does a fee waiver affect my chances of getting ILR?
No. A fee waiver is a financial assessment only. It does not affect the substantive assessment of your ILR application. Your application will be decided on the same eligibility criteria as any other ILR application — qualifying period, continuous residence, English language, Life in the UK test, and good character.
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