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UKBA launches re-tendering exercise for English language test providers
April 23, 2013
Recently, the UK Border Agency announced plans to carry out a re-tendering exercise for approved secure English language test providers.
The re-tendering exercise will take place this summer and is designed to ensure that “all approved providers offer a high quality service, with secure and consistent tests and testing arrangements… It will also enhance the security requirements and establish more robust criteria for the administration of English language tests.”
English Language providers will have to submit evidence that they meet mandatory requirements which include, but are not limited to, having an established trading presence in the UK and having test centres established in at least 40 different countries plus the capacity to provide at least 2,400 tests per year.
The re-tendering exercise will affect secure English language tests for:
· Tiers 1, 2 and 4 of the points-based system; and
· Spouses and partners of British citizens and persons settled in the UK.
For more details of the re-tendering exercise and the mandatory requirements organisations must meet, please see the UKBA”s commercial partners page.
Information for applicants
We have been advised that UK visa applicants who are currently applying to take a secure English language test with one of the UKBA”s approved providers will not be affected by the changes provided they apply for leave to enter or remain before 6 April 2014. Changes to the list of test providers will happen on 6 April 2014.
We will provide more information on these changes when available, but for any questions related to your UK visa application, including booking an English Language Test, call us now on 0207 001 2121 and one of our consultants will be pleased to advise you.
