FCE pass verification. Online or certificate?

[MichaelCollins]

I'm planning on going back to England next year and my wife passed the FCE in June this year. I've seen conflicting information regarding whether we will need to submit only the paper document showing where, when and at what grade she passed, or the online verification. There are 2 conflicting pieces of information. Firstly, on the same gov.uk website one link states the passing document must be provided but another link states that after April 2013 verification must be done online. The second discrepancy is that that link says the candidates name and d/of/b must be provided, but unless i'm mistaken that information is not what is required to log in to the FCE website to verify the result, the candidate number and secret password number are.

Does anybody have any clarification?

It would be a lot easier if I could just send her certificate, but that only shows her overall level and not the result breakdown. It wouldn't normally matter, I could just tell them her candidate number and secret number but UKBA request something different, and with UKBA you never know...

BTW I'm actually living in Japan but I've found this forum to be the most helpful and reasoned for advice concerning this topic, and I thought the answer might be useful for others in the same situation.

[7by7]

From the UKVI list of approved providers, page 4.

Cambridge English: First (also known as First Certificate in English) Documents required with application

For tests taken before 6 April 2013: Certificate, Statement of results, Candidate ID number and Candidate's secret number (applicants should provide Statement of Entry if possible)

For tests taken on or after 6 April 2013: no documents required (Scores must be verified using the Cambridge English online system using name, date of birth and passport number)

So it depends on when she took the test.

From the FCE website

Meet UK Home Office English language immigration requirements

As a result of new regulations introduced by the UK Home Office, from 1 April 2013 all candidates wishing to use Cambridge English: First for immigration to the UK will be required to have a test day photo taken for result verification purposes. In addition to a test day photo, candidates will also need to provide their passport number. Therefore, candidates that require a test day photo should use their passport as their identification on the day of their test.

If you wish to use your result for immigration purposes you should notify the centre where you sit the exam. Test day photos ensure that your exam is secure and is even more trusted and valued. Photos taken on the day of the exam will be made available to the UK Home Office so that they can verify your result.

If she took the test after 1/4/13, did she do this?

[MichaelCollins]

Thanks for the reply 7by7.

As I said she took it this year, but on this website,

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/336254/annex_fm_1.21.pdf

there are two links under point 2.1, page 4. One is Appendix FM-SE and the other is Appendix O. If you go to Appendix FM-SE and go to point 27 it states evidence must take the form of a document or a print-out. Appendix O is the same as the link you posted, but there is conflicting information there.

If only online verification is possible then the problem is that as you say on the link it states after 1/4/13 it must be "verified using name, date of birth and passport number" but on the FCE website it says "you can let organisations check your results online. Just send them your Candidate ID and Candidate Secret Number". Again contradictory information. Purely knowing a candidates passport number and d/of/b won't allow the UKBA to access the site and candidate results.

As I said I can just send them the Candidate ID and secret number too and it should be alright, but it's contradictory information about relatively miniscule points like this that might be the difference between visa denials and refusals and hundreds of pounds and masses of time being wasted.

[MichaelCollins]

This site also says a document must be provided,

http://www.findlaw.co.uk/law/immigration_emigration/marriage_visas/30511.html

I know it's not an official immigration site, but it seems like a legitimate legal advice business and is supposedly up-to-date. I wouldn't trust them over the UKBA, but again, it confuses the matter.

[7by7]

I'm sorry, I see no contradiction.

Para 2.1 of appendix FM 1.21

Appendix O to the rules provides that for some specified tests taken on or after 6 April 2013, documentary evidence is not required. Decision makers must refer to Appendix O for information on which tests this applies to.

The information on the FCE website I quoted above seems quite clear, too. Obviously, this is in addition to the other identifying information you mention.

But I accept I may be wrong; this test is not available in Thailand and so the question is new to me.

[7by7]

From Para 2.1 of the appendix again

Where an applicant relies on an English language test in speaking and listening and is not required to submit documentary evidence, they should include the following details of the test they have passed in the application form:
 name of provider;
 test passed and level of qualification;
 date of award;
 applicant/reference number.
No further evidence is required.

Appendix O is the same as the list of approved providers I linked to before, and says the same.

Obviously, applicants don't need to provide their passport number in the specified evidence in this section as the Entry Clearance Officer (the 'decision maker') will already have this anyway from earlier parts of the application and actually having the passport.

They can then verify the result with the provider.

So, provided your wife told FCE when she took the test that she was taking it for UK immigration purposes and so followed the procedure on their website, quoted above, then if she provides the above information in her application I don't see a problem.

[MichaelCollins]

It's contradictory in the first instance because one link says only a document can be provided and the other says it must be verified online. "cocument is not required" doesn't mean "is not acceptable"

In the second instance it's contradictory because the information they say need is not what FCE say they need. I don't see the point in mentioning d/of/b and passport number when they'll have that anyway as part of the application, unless it was just to explain how they'll access the results.

BTW, I think FCE is available in a few places in Thailand but not many.

[MichaelCollins]

From Para 2.1 of the appendix again

Where an applicant relies on an English language test in speaking and listening and is not required to submit documentary evidence, they should include the following details of the test they have passed in the application form:

 name of provider;

 test passed and level of qualification;

 date of award;

 applicant/reference number.

No further evidence is required.

Appendix O is the same as the list of approved providers I linked to before, and says the same.

Obviously, applicants don't need to provide their passport number in the specified evidence in this section as the Entry Clearance Officer (the 'decision maker') will already have this anyway from earlier parts of the application and actually having the passport.

They can then verify the result with the provider.

So, provided your wife told FCE when she took the test that she was taking it for UK immigration purposes and so followed the procedure on their website, quoted above, then if she provides the above information in her application I don't see a problem.

I can't believe I'd missed that. I seem to have read all around that but not that crucial part.

Thanks a lot! I said in my first post you were the best forum