In brief
- Skilled Worker, Scale-up and High Potential Individual applications made on or after 8 January 2026 need B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening.
- Settlement is currently B1 in speaking and listening. A rise to B2 is due for applications from 26 March 2027 and is not yet in force.
- You need an approved SELT from an approved provider and centre, unless you have an exemption or a qualifying degree taught in English checked by Ecctis.
- Common causes of refusal are a non-approved test, the wrong test type or level, a name mismatch with your passport and an expired result.
- Check GOV.UK and the current Immigration Rules before booking, as rules and the test system are changing.
Many UK visa routes ask you to prove your English. Getting this part wrong is a common reason for refusal, and it is often avoidable. This guide explains the main steps in plain English.
Step 1: Check whether your route needs proof of English
Not every route does. The main ones are below. The level is described using the CEFR scale (the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). A1 is beginner, B1 is intermediate and B2 is upper-intermediate.
| Route | Level and skills | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker (also Scale-up and High Potential Individual) | B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening | In force for applications made on or after 8 January 2026 |
| Spouse, unmarried partner and civil partner | Speaking and listening only. A1 for the first application from outside the UK | Not changed by the January 2026 rise. Higher levels apply at later stages, so check the current rules |
| Settlement (indefinite leave to remain) | Currently B1. Speaking and listening only | The level is due to rise to B2 for applications submitted from 26 March 2027. This is still to come |
| British citizenship | A test from an approved provider, at the level set by the rules | Rules may change alongside settlement reforms, so check before you apply |
The Global Talent visa has no English test requirement.
Who is caught by the Skilled Worker change?
The B2 level applies to first-time applicants. It also applies to people switching into the route from inside the UK, including Graduate visa holders, if they apply on or after 8 January 2026. Dependants are not currently affected. Reports differ on extensions for people who already hold these visas. Check the current Immigration Rules before you assume you are exempt.
Settlement from March 2027
The B2 requirement for settlement has been announced, but it is not yet in force. Sources differ on exactly how it applies to partners and adult children. Check the final rules before you rely on any one summary. Wider "earned settlement" proposals, including longer qualifying periods, are not yet law.
Step 2: Choose how you will prove your level
There are two main options.
Option A: a Secure English Language Test (SELT)
A SELT is an English test that the Home Office recognises for immigration purposes. It must be:
- taken with a provider on the GOV.UK approved list;
- taken at an approved test centre;
- the correct test type for your route; and
- passed at or above the required level in every skill the route requires.
The Home Office plans to replace the current system of several approved tests with a single Home Office English Language Test. We cannot confirm the current position, so check GOV.UK before you book.
Option B: a degree taught in English
You may not need a test if you hold a degree of UK bachelor's level or above that was taught in English. Postgraduate degrees can qualify. Ecctis, which runs the Qualification and Language Service for the Home Office, checks this. It replaced the Visa and Nationality Service on 1 May 2025.
- For a degree from a majority English-speaking country (other than Canada), Ecctis checks that it is equivalent to UK bachelor's level or above and academic rather than technical or professional.
- For a degree from any other country, or from Canada, Ecctis also needs confirmation that it was taught in English.
- Ecctis gives you a Unique Person Identifier (UPI) number. You give this to the Home Office as evidence.
A UK ENIC Statement of Comparability does not on its own show the language of teaching, so it is not enough as English evidence.
Step 3: Check for an exemption
Some applicants do not need to prove English. Depending on the route, exemptions can include nationals of listed majority English-speaking countries and some people with a long-term physical or mental condition. The rules are detailed and differ by route. Check the current Immigration Rules and GOV.UK list rather than assuming you qualify.
Step 4: Check how long your result stays valid
Test results and Ecctis evidence do not last forever. Check the validity rules on GOV.UK for your route and make sure your result will still be acceptable on the date you apply. Do not rely on a result from several years ago.
Common mistakes that lead to refusal
- Booking a non-approved test. A test that looks similar but is not on the approved list will not be accepted.
- Taking the wrong test type. Some routes need all four skills. Others need only speaking and listening. A test that does not cover what your route requires will fail the requirement.
- Using the old level. A B1 result is unlikely to be enough for a Skilled Worker application made after 8 January 2026.
- A name mismatch. The name on your test report should match your passport. If it does not, take advice before you apply.
- An expired result. See Step 4.
- Poor degree evidence. The degree certificate must come from the awarding institution, not an affiliated college. Choose the correct Ecctis product, and do not assume a partly English-taught course will be confirmed as taught in English.
The Life in the UK test is separate from the English requirement. Most adults applying for settlement or citizenship must pass it. The fee is £50.
Quick checklist
- Confirm your route and the level and skills it requires.
- Check whether an exemption or the degree route applies to you.
- Check the GOV.UK approved provider and centre list.
- Book the correct test type.
- Check that the name and passport details on your report match.
- Check that your result will be valid on the application date.
- Keep your reference number or UPI ready for the application form.
When to take legal advice
Take advice if your name differs between documents, if you are unsure whether your degree qualifies, if you are switching routes, or if your settlement date is close to a rule change. The rules in this area are changing, so advice from a qualified adviser can prevent costly errors.
How Garth Coates Solicitors can help
We advise individuals, families and employers on English language evidence for UK visa, settlement and citizenship applications. To discuss your situation, please request a consultation with our team in Bloomsbury, London.
This article is general information and was correct on 3 November 2026. It is not legal advice on your circumstances; immigration rules and fees change often. For advice on your case, request a consultation.
