Test of knowledge of English for a visa to England. Instruction.

Often, when a person comes to us with issues of migration visas, he is faced with the Home Office’s requirements for knowledge of the English language.

Who needs to take the English language test? To those who apply for the following types of English visas:

• Wife visa to England
• TIER 4 student visa to England
• Student visa to England (at the request of the college)

What certificate and level of knowledge is required for a visa?

It is possible to document that you, as an applicant for a British visa, speak English at the required level by obtaining certificates from the recommended Ministry of Great Britain examination centers.

The full list of institutions and representative offices where language proficiency tests for a British visa are conducted can be viewed on the official website of the Consulate or find out from us.

You will have to take exams in reading and writing, listening (listening) and speaking. The results must confirm that you have a qualification level of B2, B1, C2 or C1.

You can also prove your knowledge of the English language by presenting:

ESOL qualification level 3 or above. Please note that Level 1, 2 certificates accepted in England are not valid for Wales and Northern Ireland.
ESOL level 4, 5 and 6 certificate issued by SQA and accepted in Switzerland.
We would like to emphasize that since November 2015 ESOL certificates are not accepted for submitting documents for obtaining citizenship.

You do not need to prove your English proficiency if:

• You have an undergraduate degree recognized by the UK NARIC and valid in most English-speaking countries.</span >
• You can present a certificate of completion of Tier 4courses obtained at least 2 years ago strong>, the duration of which was more than 6 months.
• According to the sponsor, you are a capable student.

Citizens of the following countries have the right not to take the English language test:

• USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand;
•  Antigua, Bahamas, Belize, Barbados and Barbuda, Jamaica;
• Dominican Republic, Guyana, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago.
• the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Applicants over 65 years old and applicants with physical or psychological disabilities do not need to confirm the level of English. For this, it is necessary to present a certificate from a doctor confirming this fact.

GCSEs, ‘A’ Level Certificates and any other qualification below ‘B1’ will not be accepted for proof of knowledge English language and cannot be included in the package of documents for a visa to Great Britain.

Changes to requirements for certificates of English proficiency

The British Department of Visas and Immigration periodically makes changes to the requirements for testing English language skills for Ukrainian citizens. Yes, the last additions were made on April 6, 2015. If you are going to apply for a British visa, be sure to consult our specialists. Here you can find a complete list of certificates accepted by the British consulate and where they can be obtained.

Currently, the Home Office of Great Britain recognizes as valid certificates confirming knowledge of the English language at the required level from Cambridge English Language Assessment (IELTS testing) and test results are taken at Trinity College London, which has offices in 60 countries around the world. The IELTS provider has a large network of test centers(representative offices can be found in 140 countries of the world).

Changes to certificates of knowledge of the English language are made regularly, in connection with cases of fraud when taking tests. Check the list of test centers approved by the Ministry of Great Britain and accepted certificates from our representatives. If you are planning to open a fiancee, husband / wife or student Tier 4 visa, as part of an individual consultation, we will tell you how and where you can take the exam and pass the English language proficiency test in Ukraine.