Settlement compare gov.uk verified
Every UK settlement route
in one view.
6 routes to ILR or British citizenship — compared side-by-side on fees, time, English requirement, Life in the UK Test and best-fit profile. Every figure cited from gov.uk.
01 · Side-by-side
Compare all 6 routes
Application fee shown for a single adult applicant. IHS and dependants extra unless stated.
| Route | Time to ILR | Fee (single) | IHS | English | LITUK | Total to ILR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
🇪🇺 EU Settlement Scheme EU/EEA/Swiss citizens already resident pre-2021 | 5 yrs continuous residence | Free | None | Not required | Not required | Free | Guide |
🇭🇰 British National (Overseas) Hong Kong BN(O) status holders + family | 5 yrs on BN(O) visa | £285 (5-year) / £206 (2.5-year) | £5,175 adult / £3,880 child per 5 yrs | B1 at ILR stage only | At ILR | £8,539 | Guide |
🌳 UK Ancestry Commonwealth citizens with UK-born grandparent | 5 yrs on Ancestry visa | £726 | £5,175 adult / £3,880 child per 5 yrs | B1 at ILR stage | At ILR | £8,980 | Guide |
🏡 ILR (5-year route) Skilled Worker, Family, Health & Care, Talent, Innovator holders | 5 yrs on Skilled Worker / Family / etc. | £3,029 | Paid on prior visa (varies) | B1 CEFR | Required | £3,079 | Guide |
📜 10-year Long Residence Anyone with 10 years lawful UK residence but no 5-year route | 10 yrs continuous lawful residence | £3,226 | Paid on each prior visa (varies) | B1 CEFR | Required | £3,276 | Guide |
👑 British Citizenship (Naturalisation) Permanent UK residents who want a British passport | 12 months on ILR (or immediate with British spouse) | £1,839 incl. £130 ceremony | None | B1 CEFR | Required | £1,839 | Guide |
All figures verified against gov.uk on 20 May 2026.Open fee table
02 · Cost stacks
What each route costs in full
Visualised cost stack from arrival to ILR for each route. Cite-by-cite breakdown linked from each card.
ILR cost
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)
Total
£3,276
- ILR application (Set M/O/F)£3,226
- Life in the UK Test (one-off)£50
gov.uk verifiedOpen guide
Long Residence ILR cost
10-Year Long Residence ILR
Total
£3,276
- Set(LR) application£3,226
- Life in the UK Test (one-off)£50
gov.uk verifiedOpen guide
British citizenship (adult) cost
British Citizenship (Naturalisation)
Total
£1,839
- Naturalisation (Form AN) inc. ceremony£1,839
gov.uk verifiedOpen guide
BN(O) 5-year route to ILR
British National (Overseas) Visa
Total
£8,736
- BN(O) visa (5 years)£285
- IHS for 5 years (adult)£5,175
- ILR application (Set M)£3,226
- Life in the UK Test£50
gov.uk verifiedOpen guide
UK Ancestry 5-year route to ILR
UK Ancestry Visa
Total
£9,177
- Ancestry visa£726
- IHS for 5 years (adult)£5,175
- ILR application (Set O)£3,226
- Life in the UK Test£50
gov.uk verifiedOpen guide
EU Settlement Scheme cost
EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
Total
Free
- EUSS application£0
- Pre-settled → settled conversion£0
- Biometrics (in-app via UK Immigration: ID Check)£0
gov.uk verifiedOpen guide
03 · Pick your route
Which route fits you?
123456
If
I have BN(O) status from Hong Kong
→ British National (Overseas) visa
If
I have an EU/EEA/Swiss passport and was in the UK before 2021
→ EU Settlement Scheme (free)
If
I have a Commonwealth passport AND a UK-born grandparent
→ UK Ancestry visa
If
I'm on a Skilled Worker / Family / Talent visa about to hit 5 years
→ Indefinite Leave to Remain
If
I've been in the UK lawfully for 10+ years but never hit a 5-year route
→ 10-year Long Residence ILR
If
I've held ILR for 12+ months and want a British passport
→ British naturalisation
Full calculator
Open cost calculator Get an exact cost for your situation
Pick your route, add dependants, choose priority service — see the total live, with every line cited to gov.uk.