Here’s an article about an applicant who took a higher IELTS than the requirement and her visa was refused, apparently. https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/ne...-rintoul-home-office-immigration-english-test
Although their situation is totally absurd, the solution to their problem is for Mrs Rintoul to take the exact IELTS examination that the Home Office proscribes for spousal visas.
Indeed. Never give them an excuse for refusal. If anything, always go overboard with evidence, keep it all as simple as possible and stick to the rules.
It's not because she took too high a level. If you read it, she must have taken an English test from an unapproved source. This is what happens when you use a useless immigration advisor. We used a useless advisor first time and got refused too. My wife has also had to take English tests again despite being C2 before she came, because her original test was removed from the approved list. These people who go to the newspapers. It's nearly always their own fault. Instead of running to the press, just do the proper test and apply again.
Oh, and here's an idea. How about waiting until you are living together before getting pregnant if having to go through pregnancy in a different country is so heart breaking.
I beg to differ, Graham. According to the newspaper story I completely agree with your views on immigration advisors though.
Just press twisting things to make it appear different to what it really is. As always, the real truth is hidden in there after the photos, in the bit that people skim over. "Alexandria, who has an English degree from university, sat an International English Language Testing System exam as recommended by a lawyer while she was in Edinburgh during a previous visit. The Home Office requires an IELTS pass for immigration – but not the more advanced one Alexandria has." She took the wrong test. Simple as that.
which doesnt necessarily mean an unapproved source as you originally stated. We know that Immigration advisors (not lawyers in my eyes) are not really required for straight forward applications. We just need to stick to the rules outlined by UKVI and we should be okay, even if we dont agree with them
Why else would it not be approved? You have to take the test at an approved centre. Also, when you book it, you have to state which visa you are applying for. They messed up the application, the same as we did first time. Just do it again instead of crying to a newspaper. If they had done it properly they would have got the visa.
Also, read the final paragraph. “Mrs Rintoul failed to do this and also failed to submit the necessary supporting evidence for her application. It is open to her to reapply under the priority visa service.” They didn't just fail on the English test.
North East Fife MP Stephen Gethins has stepped in to help. He said: “This is a very difficult time for Mr Rintoul and his family and I have made repeated calls to the UK Visa and Immigration service but, like many of my colleagues, am frustrated by the lack of communication by that department and the impact this has on constituents who are rightly worried about their loved ones. “Too often I am finding constituents who have been left in an incredibly difficult position by a system that makes life unnecessarily stressful for people.” Despite completing her test at an approved centre – Edinburgh College’s Granton campus, the Home Office has claimed Alexandria’s application did not meet “specified immigration rules”. A Home Office spokesperson said: “Some applicants for visas to settle in the UK need to pass an English language test at an approved centre that is specified in the immigration rules. “Mrs Rintoul failed to do this and also failed to submit the necessary supporting evidence for her application. It is open to her to reapply under the priority visa service.” press whipping up a false storm
I think there is more to this than just the english test. I know someone who took ielts exams and passed the required level for nurses (i think a 7?) but used the same one for immigration purposes - she is a nurse back in ph but engaged to a british guy (she doesnt want to take another ielts to get a job after getting married here). So taking a higher level english exam is not the only reason their application was denied.
That's good, in theory, but as we all know UKVI change the rules 'on a whim' and don't even bother to advise those already on the journey to applying... simply rejecting the application!
I also submitted an academic IELTS (C1) six months ago instead of IELTS Life Skills - A1, but still succeeded in getting my spouse-settlement visa - fortunately.
