Get The Visibility Your Company Needs
Reduce compliance risks and mobility costs while managing individual and project-related travel with ImmiSMART: the solution that unifies your travel and mobility programs.
Changes to English Language requirement for Tiers 1 and 2
February 27, 2012
Further to the summary of planned changes to UK immigration we posted recently which will come into force on 6th April 2012, the Government will also be making changes to the English Language Test requirement for Tiers 1 and 2 of the Points-Based System (PBS).
From 6 April 2012, the UK Border Agency are removing the provision for applicants in the UK to apply for permission to stay here (known as leave to remain) before they have taken or received the results of an English language test.
This policy applies to applicants applying under Tier 1 (General), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and Tier 2 of the PBS.
The UKBA states that “since the initial introduction of the English language requirement, English Language test availability has increased and test providers have increased availability in-line with demand. Migrants should now be able to take a test in good time before needing to make a leave to remain application.”
Therefore, if submitting a visa application in one of the categories named above after 6 April 2012, you must ensure that it is accompanied with evidence (usually in the form of an official certificate), that you have passed an approved English language test.
It is important to ensure that you are taking the appropriate test at the correct level and from an approved provider. If you have any doubts, please check with us before you book and pay for your test, as taking the wrong one can result in refusals and wasted costs.
