Hello. I'm here again to ask a question regarding my english test. We are planning to lodge my spouse visa application in January 2014 and my english test will expire in march 2014. Is it okay to submit that english test or shall i take a new one? Many thanks in advance Blithe
Visa applications can take longer than 60 days so technically, it could expire prior to your visa being reviewed. Looking at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/general-info/processing-times/ it seems that 97% of spousal visa were completed in 60 days. I know it's a pain but I'd probably be safe and take it again. Be interesting to see what others on here say. There may also be a caveat in taking the test again, what score was achieved in the last English test?
The key is the date of application. Means the date of payment. Two important issues:- 1. Double check that your English Language Test and Provider are both still indicated on the latest UKBA approved English Language Listing. Important! 2. Ensure your current UKBA approved English Cerificate is not expired at date of application payment. Good luck
Thanks Micawber. I took TOEIC english test at Hopkins and i think they are still on the list of UKBA approved english test provider. Blithe
Hello Blithe, Not sure what you mean by your English test is going to expire, but I do know that the rules and guidelines changed on 28th October 2013. As from I think July 2012 it was stipulated that the English Exam was to be taken at a UKBA list of approved schools only. As I have only recently looked in to UK Visa requirements at the end of last year I can not really comment on your situation, but can only give advice from what I know and have learned. I will say that now all English test centers are governed by Cambridge University and are listed on their website. Here is a link to help you find a location near you. http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/ As for the expired time. There is no longer an expiry date on any test you take from once you have taken the exam and passed. How is now works: It starts off with you either telephoning the school or better still sending an email asking to enroll. Once you enroll at the school you will need to provide 2 passport type photos with a blue background, a valid passport with no less than 6 months remaining on it and 2 valid government ID. There is a waiting list and once you register for the exam you will be told the date of the exam. When you go to take the exam: You will need to bring with you, your passport, again 2 government ID and the receipt of purchase of enrollment for the exam. FAILING TO PROVIDE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ON THE DAY OF EXAM WILL RENDER YOUR EXAM AS A DID NOT SHOW AND YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO ANY FURTHER! The time from enrolling to time taking is usually 2 months as there is a cut of date for enrollment. The time scale from after taking the exam to getting your certificate is 2 months, but usually you will be able to see the results within 4 to 6 weeks online. However the online version will not be accepted for a UK visa application. It has to be the original hard copy you are sent once the certificate is issued. The reason now being is that the exam is checked back in England because of the UKBA and Home office being aware of corruption within the country and many people who are unable to speak or understand English have been issued an exam certificate had their results fixed by their partners by ways of exchange of monies. I hope this helps you out?
Can you clarify what you mean by this as there is definintely a certain drgree of ambiguity over whether or not a TOEIC test needs to be retaken as it expires after 2 years. Can you provide a link with some definitive information about this? Other people have said that it's not neccesary to retake and exam, but there is definitely a 2 year expiry on some tests.
Yes. My wife's TOEIC certificate taken at Hopkins in Makati, has expired according to the certificate. It expired, after 2 years from issue. I need to call or email Immigration and checkup on what Micawber mentioned earlier in another thread. See Micawbers posts 28 and 29 on this: http://www.british-filipino.com/showthread.php?8156-Spouse-Visa-Extension/page3
Ok, If I get this straight the test you seem to have taken is the one that is awarded by the educational testing service, which does have a valid time of 2 years and then expires. I bow my head in shame! I did not see that one, typical them being at the bottom of the test PDF! Sorry. The test my wife took was K.E.T and comes under the A1, A2, B1, B2 depending on how strong their language ability is and the score they get. The K.E.T is officially awarded by Cambridge university and has no expiry date. I am not sure and would not like to comment, but I think the English test changed a little while back, but I can not find anything out about it, as it is not showing up when I search for it online. I do know that there are many different types of English tests but which one you need depends on your circumstances and why you are entering the UK, for example: Student, Graduate, Partner, Professional, Academic, etc, including if you are on a work visa, Student visa and so on. As for retaking the exam, I would personally seek advice from the UKBA or an Immigration solicitor themselves to see if you will need to or not, just to be on the safer side of things. To me and in my eyes only, it looks like the 2 year English test was set up to allow people in on a 33 month spouse visa, thus giving time to retake the exam. After all, for an extension you will need to meet all of the requirements again as you did when you first applied for a spouse visa, but do not quote me on that, it is just my own personal assumption, better to get real advice from someone that knows from the inside.
In my wifes case, Dave, she applied for and gained her ILR before the end of October rule change, so she didnt have to even contemplate the expired certificate. However, for her, she may need to abide by this latest rule, for citizenship. Fortunately for us and unlike mainland UK, we have great access to the Immigration Dept here so we will discuss it with them .
Copied from another source: Hi all, I hope this help. I got the email from UKBA about the new English requirement for ILR in my case which I have passed IELTS above B1 so I don't need to re-take the test. But I will need bring the old certificate with me. ---------------------------------------------------------- Dear Sir Thank you for your enquiry regarding the English language element of the new KOLL requirement. I can confirm that anyone who has an English language qualification at B1 level or above, will not be required to take another one. The SET (O) form requires the applicant to tick the ‘Life in the UK test pass’ and one of the boxes relating to the English language element of the KOLL requirement to indicate that they meet this requirement. Where an applicant in an earlier immigration application, submitted evidence of an English language qualification at level B1 (CEFR), that appears on the SELT list in Appendix O of the Immigration Rules, www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/applicationforms/new-approved-english-tests.pdf, they can still rely upon this as evidence for their settlement application, and should tick the box ‘English language speaking and listening qualification’. This applies even where the qualification has since expired. They will not be required to take another English language test. I trust this answers your question. Ann Ann Woodall | Nationality Operational Policy| Operational Policy & Rules Unit|Immigration and Border Policy Directorate | Home Office http://www.immigrationboards.com/viewtopic.php?p=942845&sid=c638d7942f5f11e17c529ced3849221d
I forgot to post this in early January when we originally discussed this subject but pretty much as John has indicated too, I received the following:- Dear Sir, English language qualifications must cover speaking and listening and must be at or above level B1 on the Common European Framework Reference for languages. An ESOL qualification must be at or above Entry level 3. We will accept an ESOL qualification that is older than 2 years, provided: 1) it has previously been accepted by us in connection with another immigration application, eg for entry, or further leave to remain, or 2) if it is being presented to us for the first time, was taken in the UK and is on the OFQUAL register, regardless of the issue date of the certificate. Kind regards Ann Ann Woodall|Nationality Operational Policy|Operational Policy & Rules Unit|Immigration and Border Policy Directorate |Home Office Blue Zone, 5th Floor, The Capital |Liverpool |L39PP
Thanks for that. So it looks like we don't need another test. Can you give an email address where you got this reply from? I thought it might be printing off an email and putting it in with any future applications.
Sure, it was KnowledgeOfLifePolicyQueries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk A friend provided the email address as they wanted to know in regards to ILR. I also sent an email regarding the same but for FLR but she (Ann Woodall) made no mention of any distiction between ILR or FLR, so I'm guessing we are also good to go. My wife took IELTS. If anyone else here done a different test, here are the equivalents to the CEF (common European framework) requirement:- http://www.examenglish.com/examscomparison.php
I finally got round to sending an email to the above address and they sent me a fact sheet. Amongst other things, the fact sheet says this - which confirms what was previously said: "3. What if your website says my qualification expires after 2 years? The expiry dates on the SELT list in Appendix O,donot apply to citizenship applications. For Settlement applications, we will acceptLevel B1qualification on the SELT list or an ESOL qualification on the OFQUAL register at Entry level 3 that has passed the expiry date, if: The qualification has previously been accepted by us in connection with another immigration application, e.g. for entry clearance , or (if it is being presented for the first time) that is was taken in the UK, and is on the OFQUAL register."
Thats good. I have yet to talk to them about this here in IOM. I will use your info, Maharg, and the other stuff when I do get round to it in a month or two from now.
