Family visas: apply, extend or switch
Knowledge of English
You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.
Who does not need to prove their knowledge of English
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English or take a test if one of the following is true:
- you’re applying as a child
- you’re applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative
- you’ve been in the UK on a family visa for 5 years and you’re extending it as a partner or parent
- you’re over 65
- you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement
You also will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- the British overseas territories
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
How to prove your knowledge of English
You can prove it in one of the following ways:
- having a degree from a UK institution
- having a degree from an institution that was outside the UK and taught in English
- passing an English test from an approved provider
If you have already proved your knowledge of English in a previous successful visa application, you may not have to prove it again.
If you have a degree from a UK institution
You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree-level qualification that was both:
- taught in English
- awarded by a UK institution, even if you studied outside the UK
If your qualification is from a UK institution, you only need your degree certificate.
If you have a degree from an institution outside the UK
If your degree was taught in English and was not awarded by a UK institution, you’ll need to apply for an assessment from Ecctis.
Ecctis will give you a code to confirm that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and was taught in English.
If you have already been assessed by Ecctis, you do not need to reapply. You can use the certificate from your previous assessment instead.
Passing an English test
If you do not have any qualifications that prove your knowledge of English, you will need to pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) with an approved provider.
You must pass at least level A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale for your first visa application. You can choose to take a higher level test.
If you pass level B1 or higher, you can use your test result again when you apply for settlement after 5 years. Your test still needs to be on the approved list of qualifications and your test certificate must not have been withdrawn by the test provider.
Applying to extend your visa after 2.5 years
You may have to pass a higher CEFR level if you want to stay in the UK after 2.5 years. What you need to do depends on what CEFR level you passed for your first visa.
If you passed:
- level A1, you’ll need to pass at least level A2 in speaking and listening
- level A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2, you can use the test result again for your application as long as your test certificate has not been withdrawn by the test provider
If you were given an exemption, you’ll need to pass a test at level A1.
Read the English language requirement: family members guidance.