Migrants seeking indefinite leave to remain must now meet a higher English standard—what this means for your residency timeline.
The UK has raised the English language requirement for settlement (indefinite leave to remain). Applicants must now demonstrate a higher level of English proficiency than previously required—moving from CEFR level A1 to a higher threshold.
This affects anyone on a long-term visa pathway (spouse, work, student) who plans to settle in the UK. You'll need to pass an approved English language test before you can apply for indefinite leave to remain. The requirement applies to most visa categories, though some exemptions exist (age, disability, or certain visa types).
Settlement now requires higher English proficiency; test early to avoid delays in your residency application.
If you're on a UK visa and planning to settle, take an English test now to understand where you stand. Approved tests include IELTS, TOEFL, and others on the Home Office list. Budget time and money for test fees and preparation—don't wait until you're ready to apply for settlement.
Source: original report ↗
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