For almost all UK Home Office visa applications, the applicant is required to meet the English Language requirement. This means that the applicant must demonstrate to the Home Office that they have sufficient knowledge of the English language to be granted the visa.
This can be done in two key ways. The most common for the majority of applicants is to pass an approved English language test. There are four key centers that provide these tests are they are LanguageCert, Pearson, Trinity College London, and IELTS SELT Consortium. The level of English test which you must pass depends on your visa and which level in the process you’re at for example, for entry clearance, the applicant must pass the English test at level A1. The tests intensify the longer the applicant has been in the UK.
The second way an applicant can meet the English Language Requirement is if they hold either a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree which was taught in English. You will need to provide either your official transcript or degree certificate to prove that you have the academic qualification. If you have a qualification at this level but it was not taught in English, you may still be able to satisfy this requirement. Ask one of our expert immigration advisors about UK Naric.
Lastly, if you are from one of the following English-speaking countries, you are exempt from meeting the English Language Requirement and do not need to satisfy the requirement. The countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Ireland (for citizenship only), Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent, and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.
An applicant is also exempt from meeting the English language requirement if they are over 65 years old on the date of application or are unable to meet the requirement because of a long-term physical or mental condition.
One of our expert immigration Solicitors can confirm for you exactly what you need to do/ provide to meet the English language requirement and can even book your English test for you if you are facing difficulties.
