Life in the UK and English language

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:

Life in the UK exemption form: long term 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.

Contact the Staff Immigration Service


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:

 The Official Shop | Official Life in the UK Learning Zone


The Home Office website is the official (and only) portal for booking the test:

Life in the UK Test: Book the Life in the UK Test - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please note you must book at least 3 days in advance; there are 30 test centres in the UK including Edinburgh.

You should make sure you have the following information to hand when booking your test:

  • Your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). If you do not have a valid BRP, you can use your passport.
  • Details of your address and postcode
  • A debit or credit card
  • Your email address
  • Details of any special requests you have

In terms of what happens on the day of the test, there is a helpful guide on the official website - Life in the UK: your Life in the UK test (lituktestbooking.co.uk) You will need to bring your photo ID with you when you attend.

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:

Life in the UK exemption form: long term physical or mental condition


Again, you do not need to prove your knowledge of English for the purposes of an ILR application if you’re:

  • aged 65 or over
  • unable to, because of a long-term physical or mental condition, as confirmed by your doctor with the Home Office exemption form:

Life in the UK exemption form: long term physical or mental condition

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

See ECCTIS website for more detail:

Visas and Nationality Services (select ‘Visas and Nationality service - English Proficiency’)


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:

Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)

Normally the tests have an expiry date (2 years) so it’s important to check this before you lodge your application with the Home Office.


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