Hi,
I am due to apply for my ILR in April next year as I arrived in the UK May 2014. Does anyone know when the price increase is due to occur? and if so, would anytime in April suffice or do I have to stick to the actual date before I apply? Also, I have been doing the mock "life in the UK" tests and need to know if I need this done prior to my application or do I apply and then take it?
Thank you 
The Life in the UK Test must be passed prior to making your ILR application. Your pass notification letter will be included in your application package.
The annual fee rises usually occur in the first week of April (though they raised fees in mid-March one time a few years ago).
You can apply from up to 28 days prior to fulfilling your 5 year/60 months on a settlement visa to before the expiration of your current visa's expiration. If you intend to apply in person for ILR, you will book and pay for your application appointment up to 45 business days before your appointment.
So, hypothetically, if you will reach 60 months on 15 May, 2019, you can apply up to 28 days before that, so the earliest is 17 April, 2019. If you intend to apply in person, you would book the appointment for on or after 17 April, by visiting the website on or after 13 February, 2019. The day you book the appointment is the day you would pay, so you'd pay the old rate.
If you apply by post, you can post your application on or after 17 April, and the day you post it is the day you 'pay', so you'd pay the new rate.
