Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what level of English will be required of a person applying for a visa under the points-based immigration system; what existing qualifications will be accepted, if any; and what procedures they will use to assess proficiency in the English language.

This question was answered on 3rd March 2020

We require individuals coming under existing immigration routes to demonstrate an appropriate level of English. Currently, for skilled workers, this is currently set at intermediate (B1) level. Applicants can meet this requirement if they:

• pass a Secure English Language Test at an approved test centre;
• are a medical professional who has passed an English Language assessment for their professional registration in the UK;
• hold a degree qualification which was taught in English;
• are a national of a majority English-speaking country; or
• have shown that they meet the requirement in a previous immigration application.

Having a suitable English language requirement is crucial to ensuring people coming to live, work and study in the UK are able to integrate into society. Future requirements will broadly reflect current arrangements.