UK Immigrants to sit English tests???

[Trevor1809]

Just come back from my holiday to Thailand to see that in the UK news, MPs have come up with a brilliant idea to integrate immigrants more by getting them to pass English tests before entering the UK. Did my flight back take me through some time warp? Is the current English test requirements not for all non EU immigrants or is it just spouses that are subject to the tests? My wife is now preparing for her third test ready for the ILR.

[7by7]

It does seem this particular group of MPs and Peers are unaware of the immigration rules! 

[Trevor1809]

God help us then if the same unaware MPs have anything to do with negotiating Brexit. But can you clarify, is there any category of non EU migrant that does not need to sit an English test?

I see that they are also proposing local areas setting the award of Visas. So getting a settlement visa would be based on a post code lottery.

[7by7]

21 hours ago, Trevor1809 said:

But can you clarify, is there any category of non EU migrant that does not need to sit an English test?

 

For family settlement, all applicants, except children applying with or to join a parent, must have achieved  a minimum standard of English speaking and listening based upon the CEFR levels and produce evidence of this from a UKVI approved test provider.

• A1 at the initial visa stage,
• A2 at FLR and
• B1 at ILR.

There are exemptions:

• age 65 or over,
• unable to because of a long-term physical or mental condition, or
• can show there are exceptional circumstances which prevent you from meeting the requirement

To qualify for one of these exemptions the applicant must explain why they can’t prove their knowledge of English in their application and give evidence to support this.

 

For a Tier 2 (General) visa to work in the UK, the requirement is at least B1 in English speaking, listening, reading and writing.

 

For a Tier 4 (General) student visa it's B1 if studying below degree level,  B2 if studying at degree level or above.

 

The above passes are not required in any category if the applicant is a national of an English speaking country or has an academic qualification that both:

• was taught or researched in English
• is recognised by UK NARIC as equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree or PhD

[Trevor1809]

I will pass that on to my MP and ask him what planet his colleagues just flew in from.