Bleakey

Thanks for the advice.  I'll check the form and guidance notes haven't been updated before I post the application on Monday.  Fingers crossed.... 

Thank you 7by7. My interpretation of Appendix 32D is the same as yours. 

Regarding the A1 /A2  requirement,  I downloaded the application form and guidance notes yesterday and they state A1 is still the required level.  I also contacted the UK Visa and Immigration Contact Centre and was advised A1 is still sufficient. At this stage,  they are not aware when A2 will be needed. 

Just wondering if anyone has first-hand experience, or knows anyone who has successfully applied for FLR using a TOEIC certificate used in a previous settlement visa application. 

My understanding is that certificates previously used are acceptable, even if TOEIC  is no longer an approved test provider.

In case it's relevant my wife's Official Score Report is only valid until 28/01/2016, but my understanding is that the expiry date is irrelevant if the certificate has been used in a previous visa application. 

In case anyone intends mentioning the govt's plan to increase the requirement to A2, as of today, that hasn't come into effect.

I'd be REALLY GRATEFUL for any prompt replies because I need to submit the application in the next few days. 

^ Thanks for the suggestion. I've just spoken with an adviser at Trinity College, London. All they know is that the A2 requirement will come into effect sometime in October, but they haven't been given a specific date.

Have just spoken to 2 people on the UK govt visa helpline (0300 123 2241) and am now more confused than ever.....

My wife is on the 5-year route to ILR (as a family member of a person settled in the UK) . She originally entered the UK on 14 May 2014 using an A1 certificate to satisfy the language requirements.

According to the people on the helpline she won't need to meet the new A2 requirement because she's already started the path to eventual ILR and her FLR application will be treated by UKVI as a visa extension. As such the A1 pass used in her previous application will be adequate even after October. She will only need a B1 pass when she applies for ILR.

The staff on the visa helpline informed me the A2 requirement will only apply to applicants making an initial application in the UK. An example they gave was someone in the UK on another visa, who then married and applied for FLR.

I was sceptical about the advice given, and insisted on speaking to another senior member of staff, but was then told exactly the same. Although, they don't issue the visas, they both appeared to know their stuff, and although their advice contradicts what I've been reading online, I'm inclined to believe them.

As an aside they advised me they haven't been given a specific date for when the new A2 requirement will formally be implemented, and as the official government helpline, they're usually advised 1 month in advance.

Any comments / thoughts from the visa gurus here? Shall I follow the advice given, submit the application using the previous A1 certificate and keep my fingers crossed?

My wife can submit her FLR application anytime after 14 October 2016. I am aware the govt have proposed a new A2 requirement from October, but I can't find a specific date when this will begin. I've spent the past hour looking for info online, and attempting to contact immigration helplines, but with no success. Does anyone know when the new A2 requirement officially starts?

Also, am I wasting my time printing and completing the (90-odd page) FLR application form now? Presumably the form will be changed when the new language requirement takes effect.

Sorry, if this has been covered on the forum already. I did try searching...

MaprangHomes - thanks for the link, I'll take a read.

Stanaris - I appreciate your input. I'm glad your wife is doing so well. My wife's speaking and listening skills are probably at a strong Elementary level, but her reading skills are much weaker. If the ILR process does take 5 years, hopefully that would be long enough for her to improve, and pass both tests.

I am considering returning permanently to the UK next year with my Thai wife and 4-year old son. My intention is to apply for a settlement visa for my wife, and then apply for ILR after she's been there for 2 years. However, I understand that with effect from October 2013 ILR applicants will need to meet the the following requirements:

• Passed the Life in the UK test. and
• Obtained level B1 of the CEFR in speaking and listening, or better

As both tests require an Intermediate level of English, my wife's chances of passing them (even with 2 years in the UK) are remote.

Assuming she fails them, would she have other options for remaining in the UK, or would she have to return to Thailand?

I really want my son to get an English education, but I don't want to find myself in a situation where we're forced to return to the UK after 2 years. If that happened my son's limited Thai would a big disadvantage for him.

The Life in the UK test, and English B1 tests, are much harder than I expected and most of the Thais I know wouldn't pass. I appreciate immigrants in the UK require a certain proficiency in English, but the UK govt. are setting the bar much too high.