Withdrawal of Certain English A1 B1 Tests

[elvisp1977]

it would be helpful if this information about changes to valid English language certificates would have been put on the Visa4UK application page...i could have applied on 21.8.14 for my wife's settlement visa then rather than on 22.8.14....now i will have to cancel it and she will have to take the KET test...the Bulats test was running till 30th June so by the time candidates got their certificates they would have had little time in which to use them..as for me i spent £400 on getting my wife through her A1 with the 3 day preparation course and hotel fees...its not so much the money more the extra time we have to spend waiting to apply again..that's if she passes the new test too!!

Cheers...

[durhamboy]

Does anyone know why BULATS was removed from the approved list? TOEIC was removed because of widespread fraud but, as far as I am aware, that is not the case with BULATS. I would suggest that someone in the Home Office decided that, after 3 years of testing, BULATS is no longer suitable

this does not appear to have been a decision by the Home Office or UKVI

7.14. Changes are being made to remove all tests provided by Cambridge

International Examinations (CIE) from the list of approved English language tests on

1 August 2014. This is a scheduled withdrawal at this providers request.

7.15. Changes are also being made to remove specific tests provided by Cambridge

English (the BULATS Online test) and Trinity College London (ESOL Skills for Life

tests) from the list of approved English language tests on 1 August 2014. These

changes are being made at the providers requests. Other listed tests from these two

providers will continue to be accepted.

(My emphasis)

Thanks for this 7by7 and apologies as you did post it previously and I overlooked it.

So as it is the providers who have asked the Home Office to remove the test then doesn't that make it even more unfair and absurd that people with valid test passes when they took the test should have to take another test for FLR - especially given the fact that since passing the test they have spent 2 1/2 years in the UK further improving their English?

So I could now ask my wife to take a new test with a new test provider and that test provider could also be withdrawn from the approved list before she applies for FLR. This is utter Home Office nonsense.

I thought that the original purpose of these English tests was to ensure that people coming to live here can hold a basic English conversation. It has become a shambles.

I may be missing something here but in my opinion there are still many issues to be resolved here.

[malct]

My Friends wife is booked to do a trinity B level 5 test in Newcastle for there IIR application next april, Will this be ok for their application, See the link and look for level 5 Video http://www.trinitycollege.com/site/?id=3107

Edited August 27, 2014 by malct

[mrskint]

Jesus, just about to send off everything in the next couple of days and have just seen this. Anyone know where testing centres are in the midlands in the UK where I can get this done fast? I live in Sheffield so anywhere within a couple of hours would be fine.

[TCA]

So as it is the providers who have asked the Home Office to remove the test then doesn't that make it even more unfair and absurd that people with valid test passes when they took the test should have to take another test for FLR - especially given the fact that since passing the test they have spent 2 1/2 years in the UK further improving their English?

So I could now ask my wife to take a new test with a new test provider and that test provider could also be withdrawn from the approved list before she applies for FLR. This is utter Home Office nonsense.

I thought that the original purpose of these English tests was to ensure that people coming to live here can hold a basic English conversation. It has become a shambles.

I may be missing something here but in my opinion there are still many issues to be resolved here.

I'm in the same boat and probably up the same creek without a paddle. The supposed transitional arrangements are only transitional up to a point and completely disregard those with FLR applications to make after August 2014. Either they think it's acceptable to make people resit a very basic language test or they just haven't thought it through properly. It certainly doesn't help that you'd need to be a Philadelphia lawyer to understand half of what these immigration notices mean, supposing you're lucky enough to find them in the first place!

Edited August 29, 2014 by TCA

[durhamboy]

I tend to think that they haven't thought things through properly - as was the case with expired certificates which they eventually said were valid. The principles here are very similar i.e. a valid certificate at the time of the test taken in good faith PLUS 2 1/2 years of living in the UK speaking English every day!

What no one seems to be able to tell us is why these tests were removed from the Approved List. We know TOEIC was for widespread fraud so that is a different case. It appears that the others (including BULATS) was at the request of the test providers but for what reason we don't know. Why would a test provider voluntarily request that its tests be removed from the UK Approved List and therefore reduce the income it makes on the tests? Is there something more sinister going on? Have the test providers jumped before they were pushed? Are there other cases of widespread fraud going on like the TOEIC case?

Sorry if I am repeating myself here but the info published by the Home Office and the test providers is very scant. I have been on another forum and people are asking the same questions without answers. Having gone through all these English Test hoops I think at the very least we deserve an explanation why our spouses etc. need to retake an exam they have already passed.

[longballlarry]

We have just relocated to the UK and used the BULATS test for my wifes application which was granted in May. I would like to know if this will be valid in 2 yrs for her FLR, but doesnt seem like much point in getting that answer now because the goal posts will no doubt be changed again and again in that time. For what its worth leaving Thailand and relocating home was the best decision we've ever made. See you again in 23months. Hopefully we'll have an answer then.

[mrskint]

We have just relocated to the UK and used the BULATS test for my wifes application which was granted in May. I would like to know if this will be valid in 2 yrs for her FLR, but doesnt seem like much point in getting that answer now because the goal posts will no doubt be changed again and again in that time. For what its worth leaving Thailand and relocating home was the best decision we've ever made. See you again in 23months. Hopefully we'll have an answer then.

It's not valid as of a few weeks ago so I doubt it very much.

[longballlarry]

We have just relocated to the UK and used the BULATS test for my wifes application which was granted in May. I would like to know if this will be valid in 2 yrs for her FLR, but doesnt seem like much point in getting that answer now because the goal posts will no doubt be changed again and again in that time. For what its worth leaving Thailand and relocating home was the best decision we've ever made. See you again in 23months. Hopefully we'll have an answer then.

It's not valid as of a few weeks ago so I doubt it very much.

No, not valid for settlement applications, But other websites suggest it will remain valid for the purposes of a FLR once in the UK ? Anyway, this is just fuelling the confusion on this thread, so I'll seek the definitive answer nearer the time from a UK FLR premium service centre. Not much point in second guessing until then. ps; just read this from another website about obtaining FLR a couple of days ago in the UK. No info on the language requirement he used though. .....

Just want to update the group with my experience of my wife's FLR(M) application last week.

My wife is currently in UK on a Fiance Visa and this is our first FLR(M) application.

Croydon, Solihull and Cardiff are all close to us (we're in West London) but couldn't get an appointment until this week. However, Sheffield was available so we booked the appointment (Thur 28th Aug 10:40am).

Got there at 10:15am, 5 mins in security, very pleasant and likeable chaps. Went into the premium centre, saw the receptionist and 5 mins later we were asked to submit our documents. The lady checked our application briefly to ensure it was signed, photographs attached, etc. Was given a ticket and asked to wait for biometrics.

10 mins later biometrics call up came - wife gave photo and fingerprints - nice and easy.

Sat in the waiting area, which was very nice and pleasant. Comfortable, free coffee and relaxed atmosphere. A screen shows the status of the application and we saw it when it changed to "being considered". Half hour later, our number came up and we were called to the desk. The chap said the Visa was approved and gave us a letter to confirm the approval. He said the BRP would be in the post 7-10 days.

We left just after 12pm so under 2 hours in total!

All in all a very nice experience, very friendly staff and I'd definitely return here for the FLR(M) extension is 30 months time.

Next time, I will do the application all by myself, no need for a solicitor. just make sure the paperwork is spot on. I'm very particular on paperwork and the bundle was well presented as I put it together myself.

[durhamboy]

Longballlarry - you said above "But other websites suggest it will remain valid for the purposes of a FLR once in the UK ?" - can you please tell us which websites? Thanks.

[TCA]

No, not valid for settlement applications, But other websites suggest it will remain valid for the purposes of a FLR once in the UK?

Lol. I'm guessing you haven't read the whole thread, which is all about "Withdrawal of Certain English A1 B1 Tests" and contains links to the relevant immigration notices. Although you'd be forgiven for not reading them as they're written as usual in convoluted gobbledegook. As durhamboy said, I'd also be interested to know which websites you're referring to. Welcome to the BULATS club!

Congrats on the successful FLR(M) application by the way.

Edited September 2, 2014 by TCA

[longballlarry]

No, not valid for settlement applications, But other websites suggest it will remain valid for the purposes of a FLR once in the UK?

Lol. I'm guessing you haven't read the whole thread, which is all about "Withdrawal of Certain English A1 B1 Tests" and contains links to the relevant immigration notices. Although you'd be forgiven for not reading them as they're written as usual in convoluted gobbledegook. As durhamboy said, I'd also be interested to know which websites you're referring to. Welcome to the BULATS club!

Congrats on the successful FLR(M) application by the way.

I had read it, but without the same interest as others maybe. Anyway, I had searched other forums and one guy said that recently his FLR wwas accepted when using an expired or currently invalid cert, I cant remeber the name of the provider. Sorry I cant be more specific as I didnt pay great interest as my situation will be in 2+yrs time. It could have been this site though. Lots of discussions on the subjects;

http://www.immigrationboards.com/immigration-for-family-members/

[longballlarry]

And also info here

http://www.immigrationboards.com/immigration-for-family-members/new-english-language-testing-for-partners-t62249.html

[longballlarry]

And also info here

http://www.immigrationboards.com/immigration-for-family-members/new-english-language-testing-for-partners-t62249.html

Ah , found it. This is what I was initially referring to within the above thread re flr

'update - went to the PEO appointment this morning, application accepted!

like you said Vinny, the officer performing the preliminary check told us they have been told to accept expired TOEIC exams as other ESOL type qualifications do not expire.

seems like we panicked for nothing, but either way we're very happy with the outcome'

[durhamboy]

Sorry Longballlarry but I am having a lot of trouble trying to follow your posts.

Firstly, the links you posted where people supposedly said that test certs from struck-off test providers would be accepted for FLR - I might well be missing something but I cannot see anyone saying that. Some people talk about expired test certs being accepted but that is not the same thing.

Secondly, you originally said that your wife got a BULATS pass yet when you applied for FLR the officer said that they were still accepting TOEIC. Why did he say that when your wife has BULATS?

Could you tell us the date you applied for FLR and what certificate you presented? Thanks.

[durhamboy]

Sorry Longballlarry I just saw that you apllied for and were granted FLR on 28th. August i.e. nearly a month after these new rules apparently came into force. So, seeing as your wife was granted FLR and you apparently used a BULATS or TOEIC certificate and as both of these were apparently struck off on the 1st. August then that strongly suggests that you are right and people can use them for FLR.

However, how does all that square with the changes to immigration rules that said :-

Quote - ( b ) Appendix O as it applied on 31 July 2014 will apply to a person who makes an
application for leave to remain in the UK before 1 August 2014. - end Quote

i.e. strongly suggesting that they would not be accepted after 1st. August.

[petercr]

Sorry Longballlarry I just saw that you apllied for and were granted FLR on 28th. August i.e. nearly a month after these new rules apparently came into force. So, seeing as your wife was granted FLR and you apparently used a BULATS or TOEIC certificate and as both of these were apparently struck off on the 1st. August then that strongly suggests that you are right and people can use them for FLR.

However, how does all that square with the changes to immigration rules that said :-

Quote - ( b ) Appendix O as it applied on 31 July 2014 will apply to a person who makes an

application for leave to remain in the UK before 1 August 2014. - end Quote

i.e. strongly suggesting that they would not be accepted after 1st. August.

Seems to have been very poorly handled by both Cambridge and UK Immigration

The Cambridge web site until recently advised that BULATS would be withdrawn, however they further advised that all tests taken before the withdrawall date would remain valid for two years for UK visa purposes. Subsequently this was revised with a different message stating the complete opposite in terms of validity for UK visa purposes................you could almost be forgiven for thinking this was deliberate misinformation to encourage people to continue taking the BULATS test to limit the financial impact on Cambridge and their agents

Certainly we followed the Cambridge web site advice and my wife wasted time and money taking a BULATS test in late June 2014 that as it turns out may or may not be considered valid.

Meantime the UK authorities seem to be saying one thing and meaning another(Ref Durhan Boys post)................and they have not justified why a valid test, good for two years, becomes invalid after Cambridge decided withdraw their service

Perhaps the UK authorities should provide some clarity regarding the withdrawn tests and their validity because until they do so this will cause ongoing difficulties for applicants who in good faith have chosen BULATS for their English test

[PeeJay1959]

Yes Clarity from the authorities would be most welcome, it seems to change every 5 minutes

[longballlarry]

Sorry Longballlarry I just saw that you apllied for and were granted FLR on 28th. August i.e. nearly a month after these new rules apparently came into force. So, seeing as your wife was granted FLR and you apparently used a BULATS or TOEIC certificate and as both of these were apparently struck off on the 1st. August then that strongly suggests that you are right and people can use them for FLR.

However, how does all that square with the changes to immigration rules that said :-

Quote - ( b ) Appendix O as it applied on 31 July 2014 will apply to a person who makes an

application for leave to remain in the UK before 1 August 2014. - end Quote

i.e. strongly suggesting that they would not be accepted after 1st. August.

Nope, never siad we had FLR. Just that we used the Bulats for settlement in our recent application in May and was wondering if it would be valid for her FLR in 2 years. If you read what I had said. In any case I wont add to this confused thread anymore, because I'm now confusing myself.

[durhamboy]

Sorry Longballlarry I just saw that you apllied for and were granted FLR on 28th. August i.e. nearly a month after these new rules apparently came into force. So, seeing as your wife was granted FLR and you apparently used a BULATS or TOEIC certificate and as both of these were apparently struck off on the 1st. August then that strongly suggests that you are right and people can use them for FLR.

However, how does all that square with the changes to immigration rules that said :-

Quote - ( b ) Appendix O as it applied on 31 July 2014 will apply to a person who makes an

application for leave to remain in the UK before 1 August 2014. - end Quote

i.e. strongly suggesting that they would not be accepted after 1st. August.

Nope, never siad we had FLR. Just that we used the Bulats for settlement in our recent application in May and was wondering if it would be valid for her FLR in 2 years. If you read what I had said. In any case I wont add to this confused thread anymore, because I'm now confusing myself.

LBL - I did read your posts and you said in your post #37 that you had just relocated to the UK after having taken the BULATS test. Then in your post #39 you told us about your experience of applying for FLR last month - presumably after marrying your fiancée. So why did you say "never siad (sic) we had FLR"?

Your posts in this topic are very important as you seem to be the only one who has applied for FLR since the changes but now you are saying that even you are confused. Frankly if you want some credibility in this forum then you need to be a lot clearer about what you are posting. It is bad enough the rest of us having to second guess the Home Office without also having to second guess what you are saying.

Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh but most of us are pretty upset with how are wives are being treated.

[longballlarry]

Sorry Longballlarry I just saw that you apllied for and were granted FLR on 28th. August i.e. nearly a month after these new rules apparently came into force. So, seeing as your wife was granted FLR and you apparently used a BULATS or TOEIC certificate and as both of these were apparently struck off on the 1st. August then that strongly suggests that you are right and people can use them for FLR.

However, how does all that square with the changes to immigration rules that said :-

Quote - ( b ) Appendix O as it applied on 31 July 2014 will apply to a person who makes an

application for leave to remain in the UK before 1 August 2014. - end Quote

i.e. strongly suggesting that they would not be accepted after 1st. August.

Nope, never siad we had FLR. Just that we used the Bulats for settlement in our recent application in May and was wondering if it would be valid for her FLR in 2 years. If you read what I had said. In any case I wont add to this confused thread anymore, because I'm now confusing myself.

LBL - I did read your posts and you said in your post #37 that you had just relocated to the UK after having taken the BULATS test. Then in your post #39 you told us about your experience of applying for FLR last month - presumably after marrying your fiancée. So why did you say "never siad (sic) we had FLR"?

Your posts in this topic are very important as you seem to be the only one who has applied for FLR since the changes but now you are saying that even you are confused. Frankly if you want some credibility in this forum then you need to be a lot clearer about what you are posting. It is bad enough the rest of us having to second guess the Home Office without also having to second guess what you are saying.

Sorry if that sounds a bit harsh but most of us are pretty upset with how are wives are being treated.

Not harsh at all Durhamboy, but perhaps you should read and take it in first before you comment. Then you wouldnt have to second guess anything because you'll have the facts.

You say 'presumably my fiance', when I clearly say... 'We have just relocated to the UK and used the BULATS test for my 'WIFES' application, I would like to know if this will be valid in 2 yrs for her FLR'...., you also comment on my experience of applying for FLR last month ? For the second time, I Never said that either... As previously you had asked me what forum I had been on to get the info I had quoted about tests still being valid, so I looked for it again then said .........'ps; JUST READ THIS from another website about obtaining FLR a couple of days ago in the UK. No info on the language requirement he used though.... ..' (Then I used a copy/paste from what another guy had experienced on the 28th of August).

As I said before, this other forum seems to have a lot of info of guys with recent experiences with FLR, so perhaps you should join and ask them your specific question? It seems you will maybe have better luck than going round in circles here, because I havent seen one definitive answer or first hand experience of being in the UK recently and applying for FLR. This forum has many. If you are still confused, sorry about that, and nope, I'm not looking for credibility on this forum as you say, as the opinions of others, especially those I've never met, has never bothered me. God my life would be sad if they did. I'm just bored at work mate, so flicking through the internet & winding down the hours. Have a nice weekend, and best of luck with your dilemma.

[TCA]

Not harsh at all Durhamboy, but perhaps you should read and take it in first before you comment. Then you wouldnt have to second guess anything because you'll have the facts.

I also was confused by your post LBL. I think it would have helped had you stuck quotation marks or something round the stuff you were quoting from the other website. Otherwise it was difficult to tell what was your story and what was theirs. I came away thinking your partner had just got FLR as well and couldn't reconcile that with the rest of your situation. Anyway, I get it now re-reading it. We're not the punctuation police but are confused enough with all this stuff.

[durhamboy]

OK LBL after reading it for the third time I understand that you were quoting from another unnamed website about someone else's experience of getting FLR recently.

I apologise for the criticism but would just ask that you try to make things a little clearer if you make future posts. I was not the only person who was confused about what you said.

So it looks like we are back where we started with no one being able to give a definitive answer about whether these certificates will be accepted for FLR.

[keithsimmonds]

I looked at that website LBL linked to, and found under Flr waiting time,s 22011/2014 page 170/173 someone who,s flr has been accepted using the Toeic Test,his submission was after mine and he was on a Fiancee Visa where as my wife is on Settlement Visa and has been working here for 2 and half years paying Tax and Ni.

So now it is down to who your casework unit officer is eh? What a thucking joke. Only 16 weeks and counting ain,t no f....ing joke.