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Further to our update on the 16 August 2010 where the UK Border Agency published a list of approved English language tests providers for all non-European migrants who are applying to come to the UK to either join or marry their settled partner, it has been announced that such tests will be mandatory starting 29th November 2010.
For your reference, the UK Border Agency has defined the term “partner” to husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, same-sex partner, fiancé (e) or proposed civil partner.
To clarify, this test will be mandatory to all applicants applying from within the UK and for visa applicants applying from overseas.
Furthermore, it has now been established that as a minimum applicants are required to meet in speaking and listening is at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.
Although the list of approved tests and providers, provided by UK Border Agency, includes certain tests that are above level A1, it is because the UK Border Agency will accept tests in speaking and listening or in speaking and listening with additional skills for example like reading or writing, which are taken with an approved test provider at an higher level. The UK Border Agency claims that this decision will give applicants a wide choice in as much as possible and to provide the following for applicants:
· Those who have already taken a test with an approved test provider at higher level; or
· Those who want to take a test at a higher level for work or study purposes.
For further information we invite you to contact us through email info@ergensharif.co.uk or telephone 0207 569 3035 so that we can assist you with your immigration needs or concerns. We aim to respond to all queries within one working day.
Date : 22.08.2010
Lorin Sulaiman, Ergen & Sharif
On July the 26th, the Minister of State for Immigration, Damian Green, announced that compulsory English language tests for all non- European migrants applying to come to the
UK for employment purposes or to join/marry their settled partner will be applied starting from 29 November 2010.
From 29 November 2010, migrants spouses and partners to a person settled in the
UK or a British citizen who desire to enter or remain in the
UK are required to demonstrate English language ability at A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (speaking and listening) as part of the visa application. The same level is required for skilled workers permitted under the skilled Tier (Tier 2) of the Points Based System.
For the applicants to provide evidence of their English language abilities with their applications, they must pass an acceptable English test with one of the UK Border Agency’s approved test providers. However, nationals of a majority English speaking country are not required to undertake any of the above tests.
Moreover, this test will be compulsory for applicants whether they are applying from within the
UK or overseas. Anyone applying as the husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, same-sex partner, fiance(e)s or proposed civil partner of a British citizen or a person settled in this country are required to sit these tests.
The UK Border Agency is reviewing the English language requirements within the immigration system with an intention to restrict the rules even more in the near future.
Information on approved test providers will be published on the UK Border Agency’s website before the new English language test is introduced.
The ability of speaking English accordingly supports integration into the British society and extends a migrant’s chances. This new rule will, with no doubt, ensure that migrant spouses take part in the British life and integrate easily into the larger society of the
UK.
Date: 28.07.2010
New English language requirement for partners
A new requirement was announced on 9 June 2010 which outlined that any migrant who wants to enter or remain in the UK as a partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK, from Autumn 2010, is expected to demonstrate that they can speak and understand English through a test. This test is compulsory.
This requirement is expected if:
- you are a national of a country outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland; and
- you are in a relationship with a British citizen or a person settled here; and
- You want to apply to enter or remain in the UK as that person's husband, wife, civil partner, fiancé (e), proposed civil partner, unmarried partner or same-sex partner.
The test requires a basic demonstration of English (speaking and listening), which consists of simple, everyday expressions and very basic phrases.
You will meet the English language requirement automatically if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. Therefore, you will not need to take a test if you belong to one of those Countries.
The following Countries are considered to be majority English-speaking Countries:
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
the Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Canada
Dominica
Grenada
Guyana
Jamaica
New Zealand
St Kitts and Nevis
St Lucia
St Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
the United States of America
1Date : 4 June 2010
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