Applicants from non-English speaking countries must meet the English requirement to apply for their UK visas, ILR, and citizenship under the UK Immigration Rules.
Who needs to meet the English language Requirement?
The following visa or settlement application will require to meet the English Language requirement:
How an applicant meets the English Language Requirement
The following visa or settlement application will require to meet the English Language requirement:
Met in a previous application
If the applicant met the English language requirement in a previous successful application and the current application requires the same proficiency level, this requirement is satisfied. Therefore, it automatically satisfies the requirement, however, the applicant must show they met the required level of English language ability on the route they are now applying for.
The academic degree taught in English
If the applicant has an academic degree taught in English, they might satisfy the requirement.
To demonstrate this, you must provide:
If the qualification was awarded by a body outside the UK, then Confirmation from Ecctis is needed. Ecctis is the organisation that oversees the recognition of international qualifications and will need to confirm that the degree is equivalent to a degree taught in the UK, and, for those not taught in a university from a majority English-speaking country (excluding Canada) or Ireland, taught or researched in English.
Secure English Language Test
If an applicant satisfies the English requirement by passing a Secure English language test from an approved provider, the applicant must have scoured at least the minimum level required for the route in each relevant component of the test. They must provide a digital reference number from an approved provider to show that they have passed the test of the requirement level. The test is valid only for 2 years. The SELT certificate must be in the two years before the date of the application.
GCSE, A level or Scottish equivalent in English
This option applies only to those on the following routes:
If the applicants are relying on this option, the education in a UK-based school that the applicant attended should have started under the age of 18.
Additional options for Student applications
Student sponsors must assess their students’ English language ability to make sure they meet the English language requirement before issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for students (CAS). The CAS allows for a field to input the name of the English language test provider, if a test was taken. If not, the Sponsor must provide the relevant details in the ‘Evidence used to obtain offer’ free text box for the CAS.
Additional option for Skilled Worker applications
If an applicant is being sponsored to work as a doctor, dentist, nurse, or midwife they will meet the English language requirement if they have passed an English language assessment which is accepted as a requirement for registration by the relevant regulated professional body in the United Kingdom. As the assessment is a requirement for registration and employment by the sponsor, you do not need to do further checks where the applicant is applying under one of these SOC codes:
If an applicant is being sponsored to work as a veterinary professional (under SOC code 2216), they will mee the English meet the English language requirement if they have passed an English language assessment which is accepted as a requirement for registration by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) regulated professional body in the United Kingdom. Additionally, the applicant must be registered as the UK practicing veterinary surgeon.
Exemption from English language Requirements
Applicants for settlement are exempt from the English language requirement if, at the time of application:
If you need an expert advice and professional assistance in relation to meeting the English Language Requirement, please contact us on 020 3865 6219.