ILR Priority & Super Priority Service

The Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Priority and Super Priority services offer applicants a faster decision on their settlement applications in the UK, available for an additional fee. The Priority service aims to provide a decision within five working days, while the Super Priority service delivers an outcome by the end of the next working day.

Applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK can be a complex and time-consuming process. Given the strict requirements that must be met, application processing typically takes several months.

The following guide for ILR applicants looks in detail at the indefinite leave to remain super priority service, providing the information needed to weigh up the benefits of using this Home Office premium service. We also look at the priority service as a potential alternative option, plus the processing times and costs associated with both services.

 

What is the UK indefinite leave to remain priority service?

 

When applying to settle in the UK, the standard processing time to receive a decision from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is currently around 6 months. UKVI is the division of the Home Office responsible for issuing visa and immigration decisions, including applications for indefinite leave.

Under the indefinite leave to remain priority service, ILR applicants can benefit from fast-tracked application processing for an additional fee.

 

ILR priority service processing time

 

The ILR priority service provides a decision within 5 working days, although this does not guarantee a faster decision if your application is complicated or additional information or documentation is required. As such, in circumstances where UKVI needs to ask you for more information and clarify certain matters around your settlement application, a decision can take longer than the advertised fast-tracked timings.

For the priority service, the expedited processing time will start to run from either the day of your scheduled appointment, if you are required to prove your identity in person, or the working day after you have finished uploading your documents, if you are eligible to use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app. You will be told when you apply whether you can prove your identity by using the app to scan your identity document or if you are required to attend an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizen Application Services (UKVCAS) centre.

 

ILR priority service fee

 

The cost of the ILR priority service is £500. This is in addition to the cost of applying for indefinite leave. It is also worth noting that if a decision on your settlement application takes longer, you will not usually get your money back.

For each family member applying with you for indefinite leave, an additional £500 will be payable for a decision within 5 working days. Every family member will be required to pay for a faster decision, although you should get a decision for everyone at the same time.

The application fee for indefinite leave to remain is currently set at £2885, both for the main applicant and any dependants applying with them.

There is no application fee when applying to settle if you have protection status in the UK (permission to stay as a refugee or person with humanitarian protection). However, you cannot use the priority or super priority service if you are applying for indefinite leave with this status.

 

What is the UK indefinite leave to remain super priority service?

 

The UK indefinite leave to remain super priority service, also sometimes referred to as the indefinite leave to remain premium service, is a service that you can pay for to help significantly expedite the decision on your application for settlement. Indefinite leave to remain, or settlement, is where you are applying to settle in the UK on a permanent basis.

 

ILR super priority service processing time

 

Using the super priority service means that you will usually get a decision by the end of the next working day or “soon after” (according to the GOV.UK website). However, using the indefinite leave to remain super priority service does not guarantee a faster decision. This is because your settlement application may not be straightforward, where UKVI may need to verify your supporting documents or request additional information. They may also need to interview you in person because of your personal circumstances, for example, if you have a criminal conviction or there are other questions surrounding your suitability to settle.

For the super priority service, you will usually get a decision from UKVI by the end of the next working day after your in-person appointment, if your appointment falls on a weekday, or 2 working days from any appointment that falls on a bank holiday or at the weekend.

You cannot get a decision by the end of the next working day if you use the ID Check app. You also cannot usually get a decision within 5 workings days if you use the app. The only exception to this rule is if you are applying to settle as an Innovator Founder. However, even when seeking indefinite leave to remain as an Innovator Founder, applications to settle as the dependent child or partner of an Innovator Founder are not eligible for the priority 5-day service where the app has been used to prove a dependant’s identity.

 

ILR super priority service fee

 

The cost to pay for a faster decision using the indefinite leave to remain super priority service is £1000 per applicant, in addition to the application fee. For each family member applying with you for indefinite leave, an additional £1000 will be payable to get a decision by the end of the next working day.

 

When is the indefinite leave to remain priority & super priority service available?

 

If you are in the UK, you must have permission to be here to apply for either the priority or super priority service and you can only pay for a faster decision on certain applications to settle. You will find out if you can pay for a faster decision and what you need to do when you apply. The settlement routes for which the super priority service is available include:

 

• applications to settle on the basis of UK Ancestry, using form SET(O)
• applications to settle as a former member of HM Forces, using form SET(AF)
• applications to settle as a child under 18, using form SET(F)
• applications to settle if you have been in the UK legally for 10 consecutive years, known as long residence
• applications to settle if you work in the UK, or establish a business or invest in the UK, using form SET(O)
• applications to settle as the spouse or partner of a person, or parent of a child, already present and settled in the UK, using form SET(M)
• applications to settle as an Innovator Founder
• applications to settle as the dependent child or spouse/partner of an Innovator Founder.

 

The settlement routes for which the priority service is available include:

 

• applications to settle if you work in the UK, or establish a business or invest in the UK, using form SET(O)
• applications to settle as an Innovator Founder
• applications to settle as the dependent child or spouse/partner of an Innovator Founder.

 

If applying to settle as an Innovator Founder, you can pay for a faster decision using either the priority or super priority service. Additionally, unlike other settlement applications, you can also pay for a decision within 5 working days if you use the ID check app. For all other settlement applications, you will not be permitted to pay for a faster decision using either the priority or super priority services when using the app. An Innovator Founder application is the only route where this is currently permitted.

For some settlement routes, neither premium service will be available. There is also a limit on how many applicants can pay for a faster decision. If you are not offered the option to use a priority service when you apply for indefinite leave, you can still complete a standard application, where this should be processed within the normal 6-month timeframe.

 

ILR priority & super priority service refunds

 

If you cancel your application for indefinite leave, you may be able to get a refund of the cost of using either the super priority or priority service. However, the rules for getting a refund will depend on the circumstances involved, including how you were told to prove your identity and what stage your settlement application is at when you cancel.

If you cancel your visa application, you may get a premium service fee refund if you were told to prove your identity in person and you have not yet given your biometric information. This will not be paid automatically, where you will need to ask for a refund. In contrast, if you were told to prove your identity in person and you have already provided a scan of your fingerprints and photo, you will not be entitled to a refund.

In scenarios where you used the smartphone app and would like to cancel your settlement application, you will get a refund of your priority service fee if you have not selected ‘confirm and upload’ in the app and you cancelled your application prior to the deadline that you were given for uploading your evidence. Again, a refund will not be paid automatically. You can ask for this to be paid back to you by emailing the priority services refund requests team and explaining why you think you are entitled to a refund.

In circumstances where a decision on your settlement application takes longer, you will not get a refund on any super priority or priority service fee if you do not get a decision in time because UKVI needed more information or evidence to make the decision. If your application is adjudicated, the only circumstances in which you are likely to receive a refund is if UKVI could not give you a decision in time because of something outside their control, such as a technical problem. However, each case will be considered individually.

 

What does “ILR Super Priority Service Not Available” mean?

 

The message “ILR Super Priority Service Not Available” means that the expedited processing option for ILR is currently unavailable. This could be due to several reasons:

 

• Limited Slots – The Super Priority Service has a restricted number of daily appointments, which can fill up quickly. If all slots are booked, applicants may need to check again later or proceed with standard processing.
• Service Suspensions – The Home Office occasionally suspends the Super Priority Service due to high demand, operational issues, or policy changes. This may be temporary or affect certain visa categories.
• Eligibility Restrictions – Some ILR categories may not be eligible for Super Priority processing. If the service is unavailable for a specific route, applicants must apply using standard or priority processing where applicable.
• Technical Issues – Online booking systems may experience errors, preventing applicants from selecting the Super Priority option.

 

If the service is unavailable, you can either apply using standard processing (up to six months) or keep checking the Home Office website for availability updates. Seeking immigration advice may also help explore alternative options for faster processing.

 

How to avoid issues when using the ILR priority & super priority services

 

Unless you pay for a premium service, it can take several months to get a decision on your application for indefinite leave, where you will not be permitted to travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or Isle of Man until you receive your decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do. As such, many applicants opt to pay for either the indefinite leave to remain super priority service or the indefinite leave priority service, where available, even though this does not necessarily guarantee a faster settlement decision.

However, there are steps that can be taken to help ensure that there are no avoidable delays in your application being adjudicated within the expedited processing time, not least seeking expert advice from an immigration specialist prior to applying. In this way, your adviser can ensure that you qualify for settlement and help you to navigate any procedural pitfalls. They can also assist in preparing your application, including gathering the documents needed to meet the requirements for indefinite leave on your chosen route.

 

Need assistance?

 

DavidsonMorris are recognised experts in UK immigration and settlement applications. We help individuals with all aspects of applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain, including use of priority and super priority services. For specialist guidance, contact us.

 

Indefinite leave to remain priority & super priority service FAQs

 

What is the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) Super Priority Service?

The ILR Super Priority Service is an expedited processing option offered by the Home Office, allowing applicants to receive a decision on their Indefinite Leave to Remain application within one working day after attending a UKVCAS appointment.

 

How much does the ILR Super Priority Service cost?

The Super Priority Service costs an additional £1,000 on top of the standard ILR application fee. This fee is payable when selecting the expedited processing option during the application process.

 

Who is eligible for the Super Priority Service?

Most ILR applicants can use the Super Priority Service, but availability depends on the type of ILR route being applied for. Some categories, such as those with complicated immigration histories or pending legal matters, may not be eligible.

 

How do I apply for the ILR Super Priority Service?

When completing your ILR application online, you will be given the option to select the Super Priority Service, provided there are available slots. You must then attend a UKVCAS appointment for biometric submission.

 

Can the Home Office refuse my ILR application under the Super Priority Service?

Yes, even with the expedited service, the Home Office can refuse an application if eligibility requirements are not met. If additional checks are required, processing may take longer than one working day.

 

What happens if my Super Priority application is delayed?

While the service aims to provide a decision within one working day, some cases may take longer due to additional verification checks. The Home Office does not offer refunds if a decision is delayed beyond the expected timeframe.

 

Is the Super Priority Service available outside the UK?

No, the ILR Super Priority Service is only available for applications made within the UK.

 

Does using the Super Priority Service increase my chances of approval?

No, the Super Priority Service only speeds up the decision process. Approval depends entirely on meeting the ILR eligibility criteria and submitting the required documentation.

 

Can I get a refund if my ILR application is refused?

No, if an application is refused, the Home Office does not refund the Super Priority fee or the standard ILR application fee.

 

What should I do if there are no Super Priority Service slots available?

Availability is limited and slots can fill quickly. If no appointments are available, you may need to check regularly or proceed with the standard processing time, which typically takes up to six months.

 

Glossary

 

 

Term	Definition
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)	A form of permanent residency in the UK that allows individuals to live and work without immigration restrictions.
Super Priority Service	An expedited Home Office service that provides a decision on ILR applications within one working day.
UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration)	The department of the UK Home Office responsible for processing visa and immigration applications.
UKVCAS (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services)	The system through which applicants submit biometric information and supporting documents for visa and ILR applications.
ILR Application Fee	The standard fee required to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain in the UK.
Super Priority Fee	An additional charge of £1,000 for using the Super Priority Service to receive a faster ILR decision.
Biometric Appointment	A required in-person appointment at a UKVCAS centre where applicants provide fingerprints, photographs, and supporting documents.
Processing Time	The time it takes for the Home Office to make a decision on an ILR application, which can vary depending on the service used.
Eligibility Criteria	The set of requirements applicants must meet to qualify for ILR, including residency period, financial stability, and legal compliance.
Refund Policy	The Home Office’s policy that ILR and Super Priority fees are non-refundable if the application is refused or delayed.