English Guidance

Passing English is mandatory for most visa applications unless you are deemed as exempt.

The majority of visa applications will require evidence of English which can be an Academic qualification or English test certificate unless you are a holder of a passport approved as an English-speaking country. If you are a national of one of these countries, you meet the English requirements:

Antigua, Australia, Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.

If your passport is not on the above list, you must provide either:

Either a UK qualification at Academic level. Click here to learn more about the English rules.

If you have an overseas degree taught 100% in English, you will need a ECCTIS report and a letter from the training institute confirming that your degree was 100% taught in English. If you need to pass an English test, these are your only options:

• IELTS
• LanguageCert
• Pearson
• PSI Services (UK) Ltd
• Trinity College.

Note: English test results are based on A1, A2, B1 and B2.

Below table explains what level of English you will need to enter or remain in the UK:

Above list of visa types are the most common ones but if your visa is not on the list, feel free to contact us for guidance.

Family route

If family are joining/remaining in the UK and their partner is sponsored then family members only need B1 if they intend to settle in the UK but If family are applying to enter or remain in the UK under Appendix FM immigration rules, they will need A1-B1 to enter and remain in the UK. 

N/A = English not required.

X = Not permitted to apply.