Information on the requirements you must meet when applying for settlement (known as Indefinite Leave to Remain), or British citizenship.
Life in the UK test
Most routes to settlement (known as ‘Indefinite Leave to Remain) require you to have passed the Life in the UK test before you submit your application; this includes those applying the under Skilled Worker, Global Talent and Family/Private Life routes.
There is also a Life in the UK requirement for those applying to become British nationals (link to naturalisation page).
Some people are exempt from the Life in the UK requirement. You do not need to take the test if you:
Are under 18
Are 65 or over
Have passed it before - for example, if you’re applying to become a citizen and already passed it as part of your settlement application
Have a long-term physical or mental condition - you must provide either a form or letter from a doctor confirming your physical or mental condition:
If you have any questions on whether you need to take the test, or you believe you may qualify for an exemption, please feel free to contact the Staff Immigration Service for advice.
The test is based entirely on material from the Life in the UK handbook. You can buy resources including the ‘Official Guide for New Residents’ at this page:
If you have a special request (such as a disability which means you need extra equipment to sit the test) you can include this when you book.
If you have a previous gender (including a different name) that you do not want the test centre staff to see or for it to show on your test result, you can email sensitivebookings@homeoffice.gov.uk before booking your test.
The current fee is £50. Please note this is not refunded if you fail the test.
English language requirement
If you are applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or for citizenship, you will need to show you have sufficient knowledge of English. This can be shown through a recognised ESOL test (at level B1, B2, C1 or C2) or a degree taught in English – see below.
Some nationals of majority-English speaking countries do not need to prove their English.
In other cases, you may have already met the requirement before and don’t need to do so again.
You will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
The Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
the British overseas territories
Canada
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Jamaica
Ireland (for citizenship only)
Malta
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
USA
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English for citizenship applications if you’re:
aged 65 or over
unable to, because of a long-term physical or mental condition
If you’re relying on a medical condition, your doctor should complete the Home Office exemption form as evidence:
If you are applying to settle in one of these categories and have already met the English language requirement in a previous application, you won’t have to meet it again:
Skilled Worker, T2 or tier 2 visa
Representative of an Overseas Business visa
Minister of Religion visa (T2)
International Sportsperson visa
Innovator Founder visa
International Agreement visa (Temporary Work)
Domestic Worker in a Private Household visa
Scale-up Worker visa
Finally, some applications for ILR do not have an English language requirement:
An adult or child applying on the basis of your private life
A victim of domestic violence as the partner or spouse of a British citizen or someone settled in the UK
The partner or spouse of a person who has died who was either a British citizen or someone settled in the UK
An adult dependent relative between 18 and 64 of someone who is present and settled in the UK, is a refugee or has humanitarian protection
A refugee living in the UK
Someone living in the UK with discretionary leave
Someone living in the UK for with humanitarian protection
Someone who has permission to stay in the UK as a retired person of independent means
A Commonwealth citizen on discharge from HM Forces, including Gurkhas
Someone in exceptional circumstances, for example as an orphan, widow or over-age dependant
You can meet the English requirement where you have an academic degree that was taught or researched in English.
In terms of evidence you will need to provide:
Your degree certificate;
If your degree was not taught in the UK then you will also need an Academic Qualification Level Statement from ECCTIS;
If the degree was taught in a non-English majority speaking country, you will also need confirmation of proficiency in English, again from ECCTIS
If you’re applying for ILR or citizenship the test must be at level B1, B2, C1 or C2 and cover speaking and listening.
Please note the Home Office only accepts certain tests from approved providers. It’s very important you check to make sure you have (or are taking) the right test for your application:
