Migrants to the UK will be required to pass tough new English language requirements under a law introduced in Parliament in October. The Home Office has introduced tighter English language restrictions, requiring immigrants to the UK to meet A-level standards in speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
The Secure English Language Test (SELT) must be conducted with a Home Office-approved provider, and the results will then be verified as part of the visa application process.
For visa or citizenship applications, all migrants will need to prove their knowledge of English by passing a secure English language test (SELT).
Currently, there are 2 types of tests as different immigration routes require different levels of English language ability. The test you will need to take depends on what you are applying for.
If you are applying as a student, High Potential Individual, Innovator Founder, or Skilled Worker, you will need to take a test that assesses your Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening abilities.
However, you will need to take a test that assesses only Speaking and Listening abilities, if you are applying for citizenship, parent, partner, or settlement, also known as indefinite leave to remain.
The level of test you will need, known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level, will depend on the route you are applying for.
As of now, the list of Home Office-approved providers, where you can take a SELT includes Pearson Trinity College London, IELTS SELT Consortium, LANGUAGECERT and PSI Services (if you are outside of the UK)
List of Approved Tests for SELT
IELTS SELT Consortium: ‘IELTS for UKVI’ or ‘IELTS Life Skills’
LANGUAGECERT: ‘LANGUAGECERT International ESOL SELT’ or ‘LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT’ or ‘LANGUAGECERT General SELT’
Pearson: ‘PTE Academic UKVI’ or ‘PTE Home’
PSI Services: ‘Skills for English UKVI’
Trinity College London: ‘Secure English Language Tests for UKVI’ – Integrated Skills in English (ISE) or Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE)
The immigration rules document updated by the Home Office on October 14 shows that an applicant applying as a Tier 1 Migrant must have 10 points for English language, unless applying as a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent Migrant or as a Tier 1 (Investor) Migrant.
10 points will be applicable for Nationals of a majority English-speaking country, or if they hold a Degree taught in English or passed an English language test, or met requirements in a previous grant of leave.
The Home Office, which has tightened English language requirements, is likely to provide further clarity soon. A-level standards in speaking, listening, reading, and writing are required of immigrants to the UK, as per the latest update from the Home Office.
