UK Immigration Blog, Thoughts and Opinions

Following several enquiries, we wish to confirm that the Statement of Changes HC59 published on 28 June 2010  and the Statement of Changes HC96 published on 15 July 2010 do not foresee the introduction of an English test for dependants of PBS applicants.

However, on 9 June 2010, however, the UK Border Agency announced that the new requirement will be brought into force in autumn 2010 and will affect those migrants applying for a leave to enter and/or remain in the UK as the spouse, civil or unmarried partner, same-sex partner, fiancé(e) and proposed civil partner of a British citizen or a person settled in the UK.

The applicant will need to demonstrate a basic command of English (speaking and listening) at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference.

If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, you will meet the English language requirement automatically and you will not need to take a test.

Majority English-speaking countries are 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 and the United States of America

The type of acceptable tests and approved test providers will be provided by the UK Border Agency, however a national of a majority English-speaking country, you will de facto satisfy the requirement. The new requirement will be introduced in early autumn.