08 April 2013 Today (8 April 2013), the Home Office is publishing a statement of intent outlining planned changes to requirements for those applying to settle in the UK, or become naturalised as British citizens. From 28 October 2013, applicants in both categories will be required to pass the Life in the UK Test and to hold a B1 (intermediate) level English language speaking and listening qualification. This change will strengthen the citizenship process, replacing the current system which requires applicants to sit either the life in the UK test or show language progression from one English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) level to the next, but not both. The knowledge of language and life requirement for settlement (Indefinite leave to remain) From 28 October 2013, there will be two parts to the knowledge of language and life requirement, both of which must be met by all applicants for settlement unless the individual is exempt. Applicants will be required to: pass the Life in the UK test; and to have a speaking and listening qualification in English at B1 CEFR or higher, or its equivalent. The knowledge of language and life requirement for naturalisation The knowledge of language and life requirement for naturalisation as a British citizen will be the same as that for settlement, and the same English language qualifications will be accepted. English language qualifications A range of English language qualifications will be accepted as evidence that an applicant has met the B1 level speaking and listening requirements. These include: Qualifications covering speaking and listening at B1 or above from the Home Office's Secure English Language Test (SELT) list. ESOL qualifications at entry levels 1, 2 or 3, including speaking and listening, that have been regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). The qualification must be listed as an ESOL qualification on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications and must have been taken in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. A National Qualification in ESOL at Scottish Qualifications Framework levels 4, 5 or 6, awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority and taken in Scotland. For full details of the new requirements, please see the statement of intent. Source:- http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/s...ukborderagency+(UK+Border+Agency+latest+news)
Just to clarify, the above new requirements DO NOT affect in any way the English Language Requirements which apply to any Visa applications for leave to enter UK (Spouse / Partner / Fiance(e) etc) or to FLR(M) (Further Leave to Remain) applications. Those applications will remain at A1 level. The new requirements DO APPLY to ALL ILR and British Citizenship aplications from 28 October 2013 onwards. Regardless that applicant may already have a pass certificate at A1 level Those folks who have already passed the Life in UK Test based on the previous (old) handbook will not be expected to take a revised Life in UK Test , even if they apply for settlement on or after 28 October 2013.
My wife has her ILR and we were going to wait for her to be naturalised as a British citizen and to get her British passport. Looks like we will have to rush things along. This government is always throwing a spanner in the works :f: Of course it is an extra hurdle for everyone coming in to be with their spouse
It doesn't apply directly to those wishing to come to UK. It will apply to them after 5 years here, but by then I would guess their level of English Speaking and Listening would be easily at B1. Don't forget that the Life in UK Test is actually set at B1 levels. These new requirements have been brought in due to the high levels of abuse within the system, such that many of those who attend the citizenship ceremonies are unable to understand what's going on and unable to repeat the Oath. Things will get continue to get tougher IMO
Is this including those who had their ILR on spouse visa? Do we still have to go for the English Language test as I already passed my Life in the UK test last year.
It will apply to EVERYONE who applies for ILR and Naturalisation on or after 28 October 2013 After that date ALL applicants need a pass certificate for Life in UK AND they need a pass certificate for English Language at B1 level
by the way, you do not need to take a course for this right? you just have to take the test and submit the certificate/test result?
Correct. The Home Office (UKBA) only require sight of your pass certificate. They have no interest in how you secured that (well, as long it was legally obtained )
thanks Micawber. I also discovered that they will accept this: Degrees taught in English Those who have obtained a degree taught in English will not be required to show a formal speaking and listening qualification. Those with an academic qualification (not a professional or vocational qualification) who provide appropriate evidence that the qualification was taught or researched in English are considered automatically to meet the English language component of the KoLL requirement and will not be required to show a formal speaking and listening qualification. The qualification must be deemed by UK NARIC to meet the recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK. However, they will still be required to pass the Life in the UK test to demonstrate their knowledge of life in the UK. So then, I can try having my degree assessed by NARIC and hopefully that will meet the recognised standard. If not, would have to resort to taking that bloody test!!! oh life in the UK! hehehe
I'm not sure if this has been posted here, but for more info on this change, please see this link: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/britishcitizenship/kol-uk
FlorgeW, Yes do contact NARIC, always worth a try. Be aware they do charge for their service so just make sure that an English Test at B1 will actually be more total cost than a NARIC assessment. Sorry but I have no idea of their current charges.
Although NARIC charge for their service, I think they will tell you for no charge if the institution where you took your degree is one which they recognise. I think most 'degrees' obtained in the Philippines do me meet the required standard to be recognised as degrees by the NARIC/UKBA.
I had a long phone conversation with UK NARIC 2 years ago. They pretty much told me what I needed to know about my wifes's degree, for free. As Howerd indicates, but on the flip side, they will also indicate if a university degree is not on their list. Incidentally, in most cases, I gather, UK NARIC do not recognise Filipino university degrees, unfortunately. Only some. I came across a Filipina who's degree was in English, taught in English at a Filipino university, yet it wasn't recognised by UK NARIC and she had to sit the English Language test to enable her to apply for a spouse visa. LOL.
UK NARIC fulfil a good role in that they can help protect a UK employer from employing a froreign graduate who's degree isn't at least on a par with a graduate's degres from a UK university. Unfortunately the UKBA choose to use UK NARIC to help decide if someone applying for a settlement visa can speak a sufficient level of english, which is overkill really and not the use for which UK NARIC is really intended. "UK NARIC is the UK’s National Recognition Information Centre and provides services for individuals and organisations to compare international qualifications against UK qualification framework levels."
