New UKBA Requirements for Settlement and Naturalisation

[Terpe]

argggggggggggg now im totally confuse am on ILR and would be eligible to apply this june if am correct (3 years) in the UK..what im suppose to do..apply before oct and will be exempted from new rule?? or will take test again to be able to apply citizenship..

If you can make the budget Moy better to apply before 28 October then you will not be affected.

On or after 28 October will need new pass certificate English Language at B1 level

[Moy]

If you can make the budget Moy better to apply before 28 October then you will not be affected.

On or after 28 October will need new pass certificate English Language at B1 level

why it seems i came here in the UK These changes coming in every year sick of this weather plus the demand of things here..had enough lols
anyway thanks for the rescue Terpe

we all drain...first ILR NEW RULE BALH BLAH..what next..

[John.C]

I felt almost sick reading about this.
My friend will be applying for ILR in late October and until we check the dates again I fear that she will need this language test. She has already passed Life in UK test.
I have found a college that offers the Cambridge B1 exam but does anyone have any feel for what the course work involves for someone who has (obviously) been here for more than 4 years and speaks/writes English very well with maybe the odd mistake (saying He instead of She - things like that)
Any thoughts?
It all sounds like a complete nightmare...
And I guess expensive??????

Ps Huge thanks to Terpe for keeping us informed of these changes.

[axis22]

Well the shifting sands of uk immigration rules,more stress and expense for all involved,makes you wonder whats coming next.I really feel for those still coming through or thinking of applying,for sure it seems that fees are only going to go up.
The irony is that we actually need more immigration,much more due to the ageing population,the day may come when we offer incentives for people to settle here.

We may be fortunate as Rose arrived here 3 years ago on october 19th.She only just got her ILR last month so we hope it will be ok to apply for the naturalisation in october before the new requirement comes in.

[sars_notd_virus]

Hold on a minute guys !!!...The month of April is not over yet...meaning, there will be more changes
...just watch out for updates given by our valuable members here especially Terpe (thank you)

[Michael Parnham]

Thank you so much for this information Peter, Don't know what most of us would do without your valuable helpful knowledge, I'm sure you are much appreciated by myself and many other forum members, Thankyou!

[jamesy]

hi guys i think everybodys getting a bit mixed up here regarding ilr and settlement ,also known as naturlisation, iv just studied the new rules from the ukba which come in to effect in october ,what i can make of all this is those appliying for i.l.r between now 27th of april and before the stated date in october ,must have one pass certificate of the life in the uk, whether it was obtained through the old test rules which ended in march this year ,or obtained by the new life in the uk test which started in late march this year ,indefinete leave to remain is settlement or also known as naturalisation, so if you submit your ilr visa application form now or just before the stated date in october when the requirements change ,then as far as i can see ,you dont have to sit another test, on the other hand ,as far as i can interpitate it ,if you submitt an application for i.l.r after the date in october then you must produce 2 pass certificates life in the uk and a pass at level b1 ,please double check the new rules as i may be wrong

[Terpe]

I don't think everyone is getting mixed up.
I think folks are just asking for clarification on the latest changes and how they may impact their planning for future ILR and Naturalisation applications.

hi guys i think everybodys getting a bit mixed up here regarding ilr and settlement ,also known as naturlisation

No jamesy, that's not correct.
ILR is Indefinite Leave to Remain. Also known as settlement or settled status.
Provided the holder does not leave UK for 2 years. or more. In which case the ILR is no longer valid.

ILR is not Naturalisation.
Naturalisation the process of applying for and securing British Citizenship.

Don't forget there are very strict rules on when you may or may not apply for ILR or Naturalisation.
Often folks also need some clarification on the differences between eligibility for application and the expiry of their individual visa.

Then there is the additional complication of whether existing English Language test results already meet the new B1 requirement already or not. Plus whether the English Language test certificate is still valid or not.

So it's easy to see why folks may need clarification.

Hope that clarifies.

[jamesy]

hi terpe we my wife has 2 certificates one which she passed in may 2011 ita a S.C.Q F. LEVEL 2 english for speakers of other languages,which she needed for her spouse visa back in may 2011, she also passed life in the uk test on march the 7 2013 which were the requirments for her I L R VISA ,,it states on the certificate and i quote "following your test today in knowledge of life in the uk this is to certify that you have reached the level required for the purposes of obtaining i.l.r.under the immigration rules or for naturalisation as a british citizen under section 6 of the british nationality act 19 81.your sucess at this test also demonstrates that your level of competence in english meets the required standard for naturalisation or indefinite leave to remain.no further proof of this is needed .we shall notify the home office electronically about this result but please also submit this letter to them with your application form and fee .so can you please tell me if this means i.l.r and naturalisation are two totally different things and if so does that mean that my wife can use the life in the uk pass certificate twice as in for ilr and citizenship and would she need to submit the s v q certificate aswell and is it the correct certificate or will she have to sit another test , and please can you advise how and when can she apply for citizenship

[raynaputi]

hi terpe we my wife has 2 certificates one which she passed in may 2011 ita a S.C.Q F. LEVEL 2 english for speakers of other languages,which she needed for her spouse visa back in may 2011, she also passed life in the uk test on march the 7 2013 which were the requirments for her I L R VISA ,,it states on the certificate and i quote "following your test today in knowledge of life in the uk this is to certify that you have reached the level required for the purposes of obtaining i.l.r.under the immigration rules or for naturalisation as a british citizen under section 6 of the british nationality act 19 81.your sucess at this test also demonstrates that your level of competence in english meets the required standard for naturalisation or indefinite leave to remain.no further proof of this is needed .we shall notify the home office electronically about this result but please also submit this letter to them with your application form and fee .so can you please tell me if this means i.l.r and naturalisation are two totally different things and if so does that mean that my wife can use the life in the uk pass certificate twice as in for ilr and citizenship and would she need to submit the s v q certificate aswell and is it the correct certificate or will she have to sit another test , and please can you advise how and when can she apply for citizenship

Does her SCQF certificate have an expiration date? If it does and it expires before October 2013, she needs to retake the test. Please check if her test certificate has any expiration or not. I understand that she just submitted her ILR application from your other thread. ILR is different from Naturalisation. ILR is Indefinite Leave to Remain or Settlement visa. Regarding the Life in the UK test, she can use it for both ILR and Naturalisation applications. The passing certificate for Life in the UK doesn't have an expiration.

[jamesy]

You learn something new every day! Thanks for the advice - most appreciated - I honestly thought they were both the same.

[lordna]

Thank you so much for this information Peter, Don't know what most of us would do without your valuable helpful knowledge, I'm sure you are much appreciated by myself and many other forum members, Thankyou!

I will second that!....Many Thanks Peter

[John.C]

I have been looking at the website of a Language College who offer the B1 test and they seem to be talking about a Language course.
Maybe that is for people who have no English at all but it would be good to hear from someone who has any idea of what is really involved for someone who has been here for a few years, and has good English (maybe not 100% perfect English...).
If they just need to pay the fee and then turn up on the date to take an exam, then although this new hurdle is annoying I guess we can live with that.

Please post if you have any idea about this test!

[Terpe]

I have been looking at the website of a Language College who offer the B1 test and they seem to be talking about a Language course.
Maybe that is for people who have no English at all but it would be good to hear from someone who has any idea of what is really involved for someone who has been here for a few years, and has good English (maybe not 100% perfect English...).
If they just need to pay the fee and then turn up on the date to take an exam, then although this new hurdle is annoying I guess we can live with that.

Please post if you have any idea about this test!

John, I'm not sure how much you know about these UKBA Visa requirements for English Language so forgive me if I get too basic.

The test requires B1 level of competency for Speaking and Listening.
Usually folks are just booking a test and taking it without going through a language course, but each to their own needs.

UKBA have a specified approved listing of Tests and Test Providers here.
The certificate must be awarded by a UKBA authorised source in that listing.
Check my opening post #1 for the links

[John.C]

.

The test requires B1 level of competency for Speaking and Listening.
Usually folks are just booking a test and taking it without going through a language course, but each to their own needs.

That is what I was hoping. My friend has "good" spoken and written English after being here for several years. Just occasionally she will mention her male boss and refer to him as "She" and I then correct her. I regard these as minor language difficulties. I have now seen some test questions for level B1 which look very easy.
So I will stop worrying!

[Terpe]

That is what I was hoping. My friend has "good" spoken and written English after being here for several years. Just occasionally she will mention her male boss and refer to him as "She" and I then correct her. I regard these as minor language difficulties. I have now seen some test questions for level B1 which look very easy.
So I will stop worrying!

My wife is always mixing 'he' and 'she'

Confuses the hell out of me sometimes

[belle29]

Hi guys it is confusing now lol, Is this affected me aswell,?, I been marriage 10 years to a British citizen and been together more than 4 years outside UK before I apply for my settlement visa back in November 2010 and in my settlement visa says KOL REQUIRED and so I only take the Life in the Uk test and passed it. Then I have apply for the ILR and receive the result after 8 weeks. My question is do I still need to take the knowledge of English as well when I apply for British citizen next year? thanks in advance guys x

[Terpe]

Hi guys it is confusing now lol, Is this affected me aswell,?, I been marriage 10 years to a British citizen and been together more than 4 years outside UK before I apply for my settlement visa back in November 2010 and in my settlement visa says KOL REQUIRED and so I only take the Life in the Uk test and passed it. Then I have apply for the ILR and receive the result after 8 weeks. My question is do I still need to take the knowledge of English as well when I apply for British citizen next year? thanks in advance guys x

Everyone who applies for Naturalisation on or after 28 October 2013 will need to have:-

1. A Life in UK Test (if a pass is already held then it will not need to be retaken)
2. A pass certificate for English Language speaking and listening at B1 level or higher

For you it means YES you will need that level B1 pass certificate for English Language speaking and listening.

[belle29]

Everyone who applies for Naturalisation on or after 28 October 2013 will need to have:-

1. A Life in UK Test (if a pass is already held then it will not need to be retaken)
2. A pass certificate for English Language speaking and listening at B1 level or higher

For you it means YES you will need that level B1 pass certificate for English Language speaking and listening.

Thanks Terpe but OMG here we go again for something !?! lol x

[joebloggs]

Hi guys it is confusing now lol, Is this affected me aswell,?, I been marriage 10 years to a British citizen and been together more than 4 years outside UK before I apply for my settlement visa back in November 2010 and in my settlement visa says KOL REQUIRED and so I only take the Life in the Uk test and passed it. Then I have apply for the ILR and receive the result after 8 weeks. My question is do I still need to take the knowledge of English as well when I apply for British citizen next year? thanks in advance guys x

had you been in the uk before nov 2010 ?

[raynaputi]

I just checked this website http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/8625.html and seen that SCQF is equivalent to ESOL. So I can see now that your wife can submit the certificate she has for Naturalisation.

[jamesy]

Thanks a lot again. Very kind of you to help us.

[jamesy]

My wife's SCQF will only meet the present requirements for citizenship, but on or after October 28th 2013, her present pass certificate doesn't meet the new requirements. Therefore she will have to sit another test as she can't apply for citizenship until she has been living here for 3 years as a spouse or civil partner, which will be early next year. We're also having difficulty in finding an Approved Test Centre in Scotland where she can take this exam

[macky]

Hiya all...I've passed my Life in the UK test 2009..now to qualify for citizenship I have to have ESOL certificate? I have gone back college and finished Health and Social Care Level 2. Is that a proof of evidence that I'm qualified to get the citizenship or do I need to take ESOL still??

[Terpe]

Hiya all...I've passed my Life in the UK test 2009..now to qualify for citizenship I have to have ESOL certificate? I have gone back college and finished Health and Social Care Level 2. Is that a proof of evidence that I'm qualified to get the citizenship or do I need to take ESOL still??

You need to submit an English Language pass certificate at Level B1 minimum.

This must be from those indicated in the UKVI approved listing.

[tone]

Hi All
I have a question about the citizenship Form AN.

Situation Summary:-
Rina has an ILR. Obviously the LIUK and English A2 pass.

He passport and BRP are still in maiden name, can we apply for citizenship so that the naturalisation certificate is in married name, then british passport can be in married name too?

What is the easiest way to do this?

Thanks

Tone

[raynaputi]

Hi All
I have a question about the citizenship Form AN.

Situation Summary:-
Rina has an ILR. Obviously the LIUK and English A2 pass.

He passport and BRP are still in maiden name, can we apply for citizenship so that the naturalisation certificate is in married name, then british passport can be in married name too?

What is the easiest way to do this?

Thanks

Tone

Tone, Rina needs to present an English test equivalent to B1 level and not A2.

[Terpe]

Tone, it's no problem.
Take a look at the form and guidance. It's covered and explained exactly what to do.

[Arthur Little]

N.B. Difference, of course, being that the governing body's now known as UKVI instead of its former UKBA title in the original reference to this 'Sticky' thread.

But ... ... I imagine Tone's already aware of the changeover.

[tone]

Thanks All - now filled in and yes She has B1 exam pass.

Just need to sort out professional referees and we can get it sent off.

Thanks

Tone