A lady we know, to shy to register and post, asked me a question that I can't really answer, so, folks, help me get this sorted. She passed her IELTS in 2010 and she wants to know if it is still valid for applying ILR or does she need some other additional exam. I did say that I knew better about EU Family permits, but she enlisted her indoors for help.......
On second reading I think you cannot use it; Quote From 28 October 2013, to qualify for indefinite leave to remain, all applicants aged 18-64 must meet a revised Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK requirement. The separate guidance notes to this form provide details of where to find further information about this requirement. EDIT: An IELTS test has to be submitted post April 6th 2015 I believe unless you have one of the English qualifications that I have stated in my next post below. See the latest ILR form below, section five;
It looks like you can use a previous Pearson, City & Guilds, Cambridge English and Trinity College London English test which are all higher qualification English tests, probably the reason why they can still be used I don't know for sure. Having said that the loved one took the Pearson test and I'm sure it is only valid for three years or so. Its crazy this business of Filipinos taking an English test, especially when they have been here for a few years. You are also exempt from the English test if a degree held by the applicant has been deemed the equivalent of an English degree and has been certified by UK Naric along with the proof from UK Naric that the degree was taught in English. This is the same for the Fiancé, Spouse and FLR visas.
I have been informed elsewhere that the IELTS is listed in the new SELT list and that it can be used in an ongoing visa application. However I asked for evidence as I have only seen evidence that the citizenship will only allow for old IELTS, no one replied to my request. To compound it even further, when we done our FLR the lady specifically stated that we MAY have to do another English test for ILR but I queried again and she wasn't conclusive enough in her answer to state categorically whether that was the case or not. So personally I can't get a definitive answer to this question, so with that, we will be taking it again even though I don't think we should!
Ok... In that case. You could ask your indoors to pass the info to Astrid... I did already. But it may sink in better if she hears it in klingon
First,IELTS is good for 2 years only, Second, due to some changes,IELTS taken on or before April 5, 2015 will only be valid until November.I think she needs another, the new one....but funny i can't remember what was that..not interested to take another
Also, tests will now only be valid if taken at one of the accepted test centres. It is, now at least, relatively clear at last.
My wife used IELTS which was almost 3 years old. Prior to the new rules that appeared in April an English test (even those with an expiry date) were good to use in an ongoing visa application, hence the wife's being accepted after the 2 year period.
True. Its only through due diligence and a collective as we have here at BF talking about such matters can we make some sense out of it all.
Yep, if there's any doubt, just do it. Not worth the chance of a refusal if they get funny about it. Got us all over a barrel in my eyes
You apply online and have to select what you are applying for. We selected FLR(M) and it came up with the A1 test, which we boked and she took. Really simple. For ILR an A1 test is no good as you need to pass at level B1.
I actually think the way they do it now is good. It's made clear which test you need and they are thorough with the checking to make it almost impossible to cheat, unlike before.