English Language

Previous Successful Visa Application

Within a visa application the applicant will have the option to confirm if they met the English requirement in a previous successful application. If they do so, the UKVI caseworker will confirm this by checking the immigration history on their systems.

The previous application must have been successful and must show the individual met the required level of English language ability on the route they are now applying for.

If the previous application shows a lower level of English language, the caseworker should contact the applicant and tell them they have one month to show they have reached the higher level required and that their application will be put on hold to enable them to do so. They will confirm how to provide the updated information.

National of an English Speaking Country

An individual who is a national of one of the countries on the Home Office's list of majority English speaking countries will be able to prove their English capabilities purely by proving their nationality. This will be done via passport, travel document, valid national ID card or other satisfactory proof of nationality.

Dual nationals will meet this requirement if one of their nationalities is included in the majority English speaking country list.

List of Majority English Speaking Countries

(list located within Appendix English Language)

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

The Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

The British Overseas Territories

Canada

Dominica

Grenada

Guyana

Jamaica

Malta

New Zealand

St Kitts and Nevis

St Lucia

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Trinidad and Tobago

United States of America

Secure English Language Test

The gov.uk website has lots of useful information on how and where applicants will need to take a secure English language test - Home Office information on SELTs.

There are only certain providers that will be acceptable for a visa application (these are listed on the linked Home Office page).

A few useful nuggets of information we can add are summarised below:

Do ensure you are taking a test which meets the requirements for your visa type. Most visas required all four components - speaking, listening, reading and writing - to be tested. Some visas only require speaking and listening components to be tested. If you submit a certificate that does not meet the visa requirements, this could impact upon your visa as it will not be processed without the correct evidence.

You must check that the test is an approved test with an approved provider at the date the test was taken. There has been such a significant amount of fraud in this area that the Home Office has tightened up security and will only accept a test from a provider that has strict identity checking processes.

If you state on the visa application form that you are relying on a SELT, then you must provide a reference number. The UKVI caseworker will then use this reference to search for and verify the SELT online.

If you take the test and failed one or more of the components, then you must retake the test in its entirety. It is not possible to retake individual components.

SELTs are valid for 2 years. If the SELT certificate has expired within the one month before the date of application, the UKVI caseworker should contact you and allow time to take and pass a new test at the appropriate level. Your visa application will be on hold for one month. The caseworker will confirm how to provide the updated information to the Home Office.

Academic Degree Taught or Researched in English

There are two important aspects to this evidence: firstly that there is evidence of a genuine degree, and secondly that it has been taught in English.

A degree certificate, official transcript or letter from the awarding institution containing the equivalent information is acceptable evidence of a degree. Futher details of what must be evidenced can be found below. Click on the relevant degree to expand additional information.

Academic degree from the UK

If the degree was awarded by a UK body, the following must apply:

the awarding body is recognised in the UK (to confirm the degree was actually issued in the UK).

the degree is UK bachelor’s level or above (including Postgraduate degrees).

the qualification is academic, not technical or professional – if in doubt, you can check that with the degree awarding body.

You can check that an awarding body is recognised in the UK in the ‘Check if a university or college is officially recognised’ page on GOV.UK.

You can check the UK qualifications levels on the ‘Find a regulated qualification’ page on GOV.UK.

Academic degree from a non-majority English speaking country

If the degree is from a non-majority English country or from Canada, you will need to apply for a Visa and Nationality statement from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC, a service that provides information, advice and opinion on academic, vocational and professional qualifications and skills from all over the world). The statement from Ecctis must be submitted as supporting evidence for your visa application.

This must confirm that the following apply:

degree is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s level degree or above.

qualification is academic, not technical or professional.

degree was taught in English.

Please note that the Visas and Nationality statement must be submitted along with your qualification - it does not replace or supercede your qualification.

See below section on Applying to Ecctis.

Academic degree from a majority English speaking country (except Canada)

If the degree is from a majority English speaking country (except for Canada which is not treated as a majority English language speaking country for this purpose, as degrees are also taught in French), the following must apply:

the degree is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s level degree or above.

the qualification is academic, not technical or professional.

You will need to apply for a Visa and Nationality statement from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC, a service that provides information, advice and opinion on academic, vocational and professional qualifications and skills from all over the world). This must be included as evidence within the application, and must confirm that the degree is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or above.

Please note that the Visas and Nationality statement must be submitted along with your qualification - it does not replace or supercede your qualification.

See below for helpful information on what will be required when you apply to Ecctis.

Applying to Ecctis

Applications for the Visas and Nationality service (English proficiency) are submitted online through the Ecctis website. You will need to register for an online account to begin your application. Within the account you will need to upload your qualification certificate, photographs of any supporting documents (e.g. photocopy of transcripts or marksheets), and provide your contact information to assist with delivery of your order.

At the time of writing, the service costs £140 plus VAT as well as your chosen delivery option.

Payment must be made before an application will be processed.

Ecctis aims to complete applications within 10 working days (in circumstances where further research is required the process can take longer).

There is a fast track service, which offers a completion time of 1 or 2 working days:

24-hour fast track (1 working day) is £174 plus VAT*

48-hour fast track (2 working days0) is £124 plus VAT*

* these fees are in addition to the £140 plus VAT for the application.

Additional Options for Skilled Worker Visa

For those individuals applying for a Skilled Worker visa, there are some additional options for showing English language ability. Detail on the options is provided below - expand each option for additional information.

Professional Registration

Medical Professionals

If you are being sponsored to work as a doctor, dentist, nurse, or midwife then you will meet the English language requirement if you have passed an English language assessment which is accepted as a requirement for registration by the relevant regulated professional body in the United Kingdom:

Doctors - General Medical Council

Dentists - General Dental Council

Nurses and Midwives – Nursing and Midwifery Council

As the assessment is a requirement for registration and employment by your sponsor, this will be sufficient if you are applying as a Skilled Worker under one of these SOC codes:

2211 – Medical Practitioners

2215 – Dental Practitioners

2231 – Nurses; and

2232 – Midwives

Veterinary Professionals

If you are being sponsored to work as a veterinary professional, you will meet the English language requirement if you have passed an English language assessment which is accepted as a requirement for registration by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).

This applies if you are registered as a UK practicing vet surgeon with the RCVS, and being sponsored as a Skilled Worker under SOC code 2216 - Veterinarians.

GCSE, A Level or Scottish equivalent in English

You can show evidence of English language via a GCSE or A Level or Scottish National Qualification at level 4 or 5 or, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, providing the following criteria are met:

The exam was taken when you were aged 18 or under. Applicants cannot rely on GCSE or A levels gained through adult education or correspondence courses.

The qualification is in English literature or English language - qualifications in other subjects are not accepted.

The qualification is issued by an Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales or CCEA regulated awarding body in the UK.

You attended school in the UK. The caseworker will check that the date of your qualification and the school/college included on the exam certificate to confirm that you attended school in the UK while under the age of 18.

You can prove the qualification by either:

A certificate from the awarding body: or

An official transcript issued by the awarding body.

Additional Options For Students

For those individuals applying for a Student visa, there are some additional options for showing English language ability. This will require liaison with the sponsor, as information will need to be included within their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies. Detail on the options is provided below - expand each option for additional information.

Assessed by Higher Education Provider

A student visa applicant can state they have been assessed by a higher education provider with a track record of compliance. You can check if the HEP has a track record of compliance via the Sponsor register on GOV.UK.

The sponsor will need to confirm this on the Confirmation of Acceptance of Study (CAS), as well as provide information on the method of assessment used. There are two options in terms of English language ability and what is subsequently required within the CAS:

The CAS confirms that the student has English language at level B2.

Alternatively, an individual can show they have passed a SELT at level B1 and have a combined CAS which includes a pre-sessional course. The CAS will need to confirm the student will reach level B2 by the end of the course.

GCSE, A Level or Scottish equivalent in English

You can show evidence of English language via a GCSE or A Level or Scottish National Qualification at level 4 or 5 or, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English, providing the following criteria are met:

The exam was taken when you were aged 18 or under. Applicants cannot rely on GCSE or A levels gained through adult education or correspondence courses.

The qualification is in English literature or English language - qualifications in other subjects are not accepted.

The qualification is issued by an Ofqual, SQA, Qualifications Wales or CCEA regulated awarding body in the UK.

You attended school in the UK. The caseworker will check that the date of your qualification and the school/college included on the exam certificate to confirm that you attended school in the UK while under the age of 18.

You can prove the qualification by either:

A certificate from the awarding body: or

An official transcript issued by the awarding body.

Exemption From Part of the SELT (Disability)

A student visa applicant can be exempted from part of the SELT by the test provider due to a disability. The student sponsor must confirm on the CAS that the student has a sufficient level of English language ability to complete the course.

Short Term Study Abroad Programme

If a student is studying in the UK on a short term study abroad programme, they must be studying in the USA and the course must lead to them gaining a qualification from the overseas Higher Education Institution at least equivalent level to a UK bachelor’s degree.

You will need to obtain confirmation from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) that the qualification you are studying for is at least equivalent to a UK degree. This must also be confirmed on the CAS.

The CAS must include details of the overseas Higher Education Institution.

Gifted Student Concession

The English language requirement does not apply to applicants who are considered to be ‘gifted students’ by their Student sponsor. To qualify as a gifted student, they must meet both of the following requirements:

The applicant must have been offered a place on a course at RQF level 6 or above, or SCQF level 9 or above, at a higher education provider (HEP) with a track record of compliance. You can check if the HEP has a track record of compliance via the Sponsor register on GOV.UK.

The CAS must have been authorised by the academic registrar of the institution, and the academic registrar must confirm that they have personally approved the waiving of the English language requirement. The CAS is sufficient evidence (there is no need for a letter from the college or university).

Welcome to TWO's Application Portal. This is the home for lots of useful information to support the visa application process.

English Language: Evidence Required for Points Based Applications