Settlement Visa - Problem with NARIC

[paulklee]

We have just started the Settlement Visa process and we are falling at the first hurdle

The Guide To Supporting Documents from the UK Govt says:

Evidence of English language requirement
The applicant is required to speak and understand English to a minimum level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

The English requirement can be met in the following ways:
By passing a test with an approved provider and providing a certificate that
clearly shows the applicant’s name and the qualification obtained; or
By having a degree taught in English; or
By being a citizen or national of a majority English language speaking
country (which is specified in the relevant Immigration Rule).
There are some exemptions to this requirement. For further information see the
Immigration Rules at Appendix FM-SE.

I applied to NARIC on the basis of my wife's MBA from a Top 20 Oz University. The NARIC Visa and Nationality Service seems quite new and costs more than the standard service. I uploaded all the documents necessary, 4 of them including the Certificate from the same Uni, showing she had completed a 6 month Intensive English Language Course, prior to the 12 month MBA.

Within a day, the application had been rejected, not a bad evaluation decision or anything like that, just the application itself is rejected. Here are their comments:

Unfortunately we are not in a position to provide an evaluation of your qualification for the following reason:
In order for an overseas qualification to meet the UK NARIC Visas and Nationality service criteria, the comparable level of the qualification must be either British Bachelor degree, British Master's degree or PhD standard. Postgraduate Diplomas / Postgraduate Certificates are not considered a sufficiently long period of study to assure the accumulation of appropriate English language skills. Unfortunately, your qualification does not therefore meet the criteria for this service.

If you require confirmation of the comparable level of your qualification, please refer to our website for details of how to apply for a Statement of Comparability.

I think they are in fact asking for more money for a two stage process (Comparability @£46.00 then Visa and Nationality @£125.00) and Ive asked them if this is the case. Their own notes don't say that they can work with a comparison evaluation for the Visa dn nationality Service so maybe the Comparability process would ultimately be worthless. They give such little helpful information, or am I expecting too much.

I'm a bit flummoxed by all this. Top Table Oz Uni, full intensive English for 18 months but they want to grade the degree before they test for Visa and Nationality. Or maybe they're just saying no.

If I squint really hard I can maybe see what they are saying then my vision comes back to what the UK Govt actually says in its documentation guidelines and what common sense might say too.

Anybody got any experience of this? Should we be now gearing up for the English language tests in Bangkok? From what you've read above about her background, would the tests be a challenge? Any good links for preparing for the test?

[7by7]

To be used to meet the requirement the qualification needs to be recognised by UKNARIC as equivalent to a UK bachelors or masters degree or PhD. They seem to be saying hers isn't.

In which case she needs the English test instead.

The level required for this, A1, is very basic: simple conversational is more than adequate.

From what you say she should have no problems and could probably achieve the higher B1 required for ILR.

Maybe cheaper to take the test as well.

[rasg]

The A1 language test takes 6 minutes and it's £150. It depends when you are applying as to which test you require. Without Googling I think it's October when the new test comes in. B2 I think without Googling. Sounds quicker to me and in the long run, probably cheaper.

Here’s the link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-a2-english-requirement-in-the-family-route

Edited July 18, 2016 by rasg

[7by7]

The new minimum from October for FLR is A2.

The minimum for the initial visa remains at A1 and for ILR at B1: plus the LitUK test for ILR.

[rasg]

Thank you for clarifying. Just starting to put FLR together but know we are ok with A1.

[paulklee]

7by7 says

From what you say she should have no problems and could probably achieve the higher B1 required for ILR.

Can one take a higher level test (B1) at this stage instead of A1, to satisfy current A1 requirements AND to take away the need to do B1 later?

[7by7]

Yes, if one acheives higher than the minimum required for the application then this will, of course, be acceptable.

The levels start at A1, breakthrough or beginner, and go up to C2, mastery or proficiency. For more, see here.

For UKVI purposes only speaking and listening are required. Some test centres make candidates take reading and writing as well; but for her visa and subsequent leave to remain applications her score in reading and writing will be ignored by UKVI; whatever it is.

The test must be taken with a UKVI approved provider; those in Thailand are on page 9.

This list of providers changes periodically; but as long as a pass has been previously used for a successful UK visa or leave to remain application it can be used again for a subsequent one, up to and including naturalisation, even if the provider and/or test is no longer on the approved list. Provided it's of the required level or better, of course.