UKDESK.
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.

Written & verified by

UKDesk Editorial, Editor & Researcher

Reads gov.uk, HMRC and ONS source pages, verifies every figure, and writes the plain-English explainers on UKDesk.

Verified against gov.uk · May 2026·Editorial policy
Suggest a correction
01 · Side-by-side

Compare all 6 routes

Application fee shown for a single adult applicant. IHS and dependants extra unless stated.

🇪🇺
EU Settlement Scheme
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens already resident pre-2021
Free
5 yrs continuous residenceFee FreeEnglish: Not requiredLITUK: No
🇭🇰
British National (Overseas)
Hong Kong BN(O) status holders + family
£8,539
5 yrs on BN(O) visaFee £285 (5-year) / £206 (2.5-year)English: B1 at ILR stage onlyLITUK: At ILR
🌳
UK Ancestry
Commonwealth citizens with UK-born grandparent
£8,980
5 yrs on Ancestry visaFee £726English: B1 at ILR stageLITUK: At ILR
🏡
ILR (5-year route)
Skilled Worker, Family, Health & Care, Talent, Innovator holders
£3,079
5 yrs on Skilled Worker / Family / etc.Fee £3,029English: B1 CEFRLITUK: Yes
📜
10-year Long Residence
Anyone with 10 years lawful UK residence but no 5-year route
£3,276
10 yrs continuous lawful residenceFee £3,226English: B1 CEFRLITUK: Yes
👑
British Citizenship (Naturalisation)
Permanent UK residents who want a British passport
£1,839
12 months on ILR (or immediate with British spouse)Fee £1,839 incl. £130 ceremonyEnglish: B1 CEFRLITUK: Yes
All figures verified against gov.uk on 21 June 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?

1
If
I have BN(O) status from Hong Kong
→ British National (Overseas) visa
2
If
I have an EU/EEA/Swiss passport and was in the UK before 2021
→ EU Settlement Scheme (free)
3
If
I have a Commonwealth passport AND a UK-born grandparent
→ UK Ancestry visa
4
If
I'm on a Skilled Worker / Family / Talent visa about to hit 5 years
→ Indefinite Leave to Remain
5
If
I've been in the UK lawfully for 10+ years but never hit a 5-year route
→ 10-year Long Residence ILR
6
If
I've held ILR for 12+ months and want a British passport
→ British naturalisation
Full 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.

Open cost calculator