The English language requirement is the proof of English that many UK visa, settlement and citizenship applications must include. The level is set on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale, from A1 upwards, and it differs by route. You prove it with an approved test, a qualifying degree or another accepted qualification.
Key points
- The level is different for each route. A new Skilled Worker applicant needs B2, a first partner visa needs A1 and a Student visa needs B2 or B1 depending on the course.
- CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The levels run A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.
- You can prove English with a UK or English-taught degree, a UK school qualification on some routes, or an approved Secure English Language Test.
- Nationals of listed majority English-speaking countries do not need to prove English on several routes, but the lists differ by route.
- A test result is valid for 2 years from the date it is awarded, and a test you pass must come from the approved list.
How the English language requirement works
Most UK routes ask you to show a set level of English. The Immigration Rules put the detail in one place, Appendix English Language. It says how the requirement is met. Each route then says whether the requirement applies and at what level.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix English Language
The level is measured on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. The levels named on GOV.UK pages are A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2.[3]Home Office, Family visas: Knowledge of English[5]Home Office, Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship and settling
Some routes test all four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. Others test only speaking and listening. Skilled Worker, Student, Health and Care Worker and Start-up are in the first group. Partner, parent, citizenship and settlement are in the second.[6]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)
Levels by route
| Route | What GOV.UK says about the level |
|---|---|
| Skilled Worker, new application | At least B2 in reading, writing, speaking and understanding |
| Skilled Worker, extending or updating a visa held before 8 January 2026 | B1, and you do not need to prove English again |
| Skilled Worker, switching from a different visa | B2 |
| Skilled Worker, switching from Health and Care Worker | No new proof needed |
| Family visa, first application | At least A1 |
| Family visa, extending after 2.5 years | If you passed A1 first, at least A2 in speaking and listening. If you passed A2 or higher, you can reuse the result |
| Student visa, degree level or above | Equivalent to B2 |
| Student visa, below degree level | B1 |
| Citizenship or settlement | A qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2 |
These levels come from the GOV.UK pages for each route, and the citizenship and settlement level from the GOV.UK page for people applying to settle or become British.[2]Home Office, Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English[3]Home Office, Family visas: Knowledge of English[4]Home Office, Student visa: Knowledge of English[5]Home Office, Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship and settling
A family visa applicant who passes level B1 or higher can use the same test result again when applying for settlement after 5 years. The test must still be on the approved list and the certificate must not have been withdrawn.[3]Home Office, Family visas: Knowledge of English
Ways to prove it
The Immigration Rules list the ways to meet the requirement. They include a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctorate awarded in the UK, and a degree-level qualification taught in a listed majority English-speaking country. The Rules also accept a pass in an approved English language test taken in the 2 years before the application.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix English Language
For Skilled Worker and Student applicants, a GCSE, A level or Scottish equivalent in English from a UK school can also be used. It must have been started in a UK school while the applicant was under 18.[2]Home Office, Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English[4]Home Office, Student visa: Knowledge of English
A degree from outside the UK that was taught in English needs an assessment from Ecctis. Ecctis gives a code confirming the degree matches a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and was taught in English.[2]Home Office, Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English See the Secure English Language Test page for approved tests.
Who does not need to prove English
Nationals of listed majority English-speaking countries do not need to. The lists on the Skilled Worker, family, Student and citizenship pages are similar but not identical. For example, Ireland is listed for citizenship and Student visas but not on the Skilled Worker or family pages. Check the page for your route.[2]Home Office, Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English[3]Home Office, Family visas: Knowledge of English[4]Home Office, Student visa: Knowledge of English
On a family visa you also do not need to prove English if you are applying as a child, you are over 65, or you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you meeting the requirement.[3]Home Office, Family visas: Knowledge of English
For settlement, the Rules exempt people aged 65 or over and people under 18. They also exempt people with a physical or mental condition that prevents them meeting the requirement.[1]Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix English Language
Example
Lena is applying for a Skilled Worker visa from outside the UK. She has no UK degree and no degree taught in English. She needs to pass a Secure English Language Test showing level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening, within the two years before she applies.
Her husband Jonas later applies for a partner visa. For his first application he needs level A1. If he passes A1, he needs at least A2 in speaking and listening when he extends after 2.5 years.
What people get wrong
People assume one English level applies everywhere. It does not. A Skilled Worker applicant needs B2 on a new application, while a first partner visa needs A1. Using a result at the wrong level, or from the wrong test, is a common mistake.
A second common error is the wrong qualification. The GOV.UK page on citizenship and settling says an application will be refused if you send the wrong qualifications.[5]Home Office, Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship and settling Only tests on the approved list count, and a test result lasts 2 years.[6]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)
The bottom line
The English language requirement sets a CEFR level for each route, and the level can change at each stage of a journey. You prove it with a qualifying degree, a UK school qualification on some routes, or an approved test. Nationality and age exemptions exist but differ by route. Check the page for your route on the day you apply, because levels and lists are updated.
Common questions
CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages scale. For a new Skilled Worker application you must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B2.
Not always. A degree-level qualification taught in English and awarded by a UK institution can prove it. A degree from outside the UK that was taught in English needs an Ecctis assessment.
Several routes list nationals of majority English-speaking countries, such as Australia, Canada, Jamaica, New Zealand and the USA. The exact list differs slightly by route, so check the guide for yours.
Test results are valid for 2 years from the date the test is awarded. GOV.UK says your test must also have been awarded in the two years before the date of your application.
Often yes. The Immigration Rules say the requirement is met if you already showed it, at the level needed now, in a previous successful application for entry clearance or permission to stay.
Sources
We cite the Immigration Rules, legislation and GOV.UK guidance directly. Rules change, so each source shows the date we last checked it.
- Home Office. Immigration Rules Appendix English Language. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Family visas: Knowledge of English. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Student visa: Knowledge of English. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- Home Office. Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship and settling. Checked 11 November 2026. ↩
- UK Visas and Immigration. Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT). Checked 11 November 2026. ↩