I understand that the wife's son has to complete his own visa form. Reading the form he still has to pass the English requirement test. Is that correct?

How old is he? If under 18 he is exempt from the English requirement, so tick the exempt box in Part 8 of the form.

He is 14. That is one hassle less if he is exempt.

Further to your answer. Do you have any reference to a child being exempt. The Guidance notes for Q8.1 only refer to www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/IDIs/idischapter8

I can't find any reference to under 18s being exemp.

I prefer to be abosolutely water tight when dealing with UK Government Departments.

Further to your answer. Do you have any reference to a child being exempt. The Guidance notes for Q8.1 only refer to www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/policyandlaw/IDIs/idischapter8

I can't find any reference to under 18s being exemp.

I prefer to be abosolutely water tight when dealing with UK Government Departments.

The English language requirement is for husbands, wives and civil partners only. This is from the UKBA guidance :

General information

Who will the requirement affect?

From 29 November 2010, any migrant applying to enter the UK or applying to

remain in the UK as the partner of a British citizen or a person settled here will

need to show that they can speak and understand English.

An applicant will need to meet the requirement if they are:

 a national of a country outside the European Economic Area and

Switzerland; and

 in a relationship with a British citizen or a person settled here; and

 applying as that person’s husband, wife, civil partner, fiance(e),

proposed civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner.

The new English requirement does not apply to the following groups of

applicants:

 spouse or partner of Tier 1 and Tier 2 visa applicants

 spouse or partner of a student

 visitors

 refugees or spouses of refugees applying on the basis of family reunion

 dependent children

 spouse or partner of an EEA national

 spouse or partner of a member of the armed forces applying under Part

7 of the Immigration Rules

 applicants for indefinite leave to remain

Indeed, I was thinking of the KOL requirement for ILR, which applicants under 18 are exempt from.

Apologies for the confusion.