subject: New English language requirement for partners Visa [print this page] New English language requirement for partners Visa
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, fianc (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
Life in the UK test
If you are applying for naturalisation as a British citizen or for indefinite leave to remain, you will need to show that you have sufficient knowledge of life in the United Kingdom.
The requirements (language requirement and knowledge of life in the UK requirement) were introduced for naturalisation on 1 November 2005 and then for settlement on 2 April 2007.
