Foreign citizens who wish to travel to the UK to live with their British partner shall apply for the Spouse Visa. To obtain such a visa, it is required to prove your English language skills but this procedure is not as simple as it may seem. In particular, not any certificate will qualify, and not any test centre can be selected. Let us discuss what the current English language requirement for the Spouse Visa is, where and how your command of English can be proved, and whether foreigners can be exempt from such a formality.
Table of contents
- What level of English do you need?
- How can you meet the English language requirement?
- Nationality as proof of English
- Degree routes
- Secure English Language Test (SELT)
- Minimum level of the English language test for the spouse visa
- Where can I take a test?
- Required documents
- How long is a spouse visa English test valid?
- Evidence checklist
- Exemptions
- How can we help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Level of English Do You Need?
The required level depends on where the applicant is on the partner route. This is the point that causes the most confusion.
English language levels by application stage
|
Application stage |
Usual minimum level |
Main point |
| First spouse or partner visa application | A1 | Entry-level speaking and listening |
| Spouse or partner extension after 2.5 years | A2 in many cases | Usually required where the first visa relied on A1 |
| Settlement after the qualifying period | B1 | Higher speaking and listening requirement |
How Can You Meet the English Language Requirement?
The English language rule can be met in several different ways. Many applicants assume they must take a test, but that is not always correct.
You can usually meet the requirement by one of the following:
- being a national of a recognised majority English-speaking country
- having a qualifying degree from a UK institution
- having a qualifying degree from outside the UK that was taught in English and confirmed by Ecctis
- passing an approved English language test at the required level
- relying on a previous successful application where you already proved English at the level required for the current application
- in some cases, relying on certain school qualifications such as GCSE or A level English obtained through education in a UK-based school begun before age 18
Nationality as Proof of English
Current rules say that a person meets the English language requirement if they are a national of a recognised majority English-speaking country. For family visa purposes, that list includes:
- 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
- the United States of America
A valid passport or travel document is usually the core evidence for this route. The rules also state that a dual national may rely on either nationality where the evidence is in order.
This can be a simple route, but it should still be checked carefully. A person may speak English fluently in everyday life, but only the nationalities listed in the current rules meet this route automatically.
Degree Routes
Many spouse visa applicants can meet the English language requirement through an academic qualification rather than a language test.
If the applicant has a degree-level qualification that was taught in English and awarded by a UK institution, that can usually be enough. The qualification may still count even if the applicant studied outside the UK, provided the awarding institution is British and the degree was taught in English. In these cases, the degree certificate is usually the main evidence required.
If the degree was taught in English but awarded by an institution outside the UK, the applicant normally needs an Ecctis assessment. Ecctis will provide confirmation that the qualification is equivalent to at least a UK bachelor’s degree and was taught in English. If the applicant has already had the degree assessed by Ecctis, they do not usually need to repeat that assessment.
Secure English Language Test (SELT)
SELT is an English language test designed for those who intend to move to the UK for a prolonged period of time. It shows whether the candidate’s language proficiency is sufficient for a comfortable integration into British society, including work, studies, and family and social life. That is why such tests are typically taken by citizenship and permit of stay applicants, employees, students, and foreigners who marry British citizens. The particular SELT type depends on your immigration purpose.
The test duration is about 30 minutes. Luckily, only speaking and listening skills shall be demonstrated, so applicants are not required to do any reading or writing tasks. In the course of the exam, you will be invited to discuss everyday topics with an interviewer and one or two other candidates. The purpose is to simulate a realistic English-language discussion and assess the applicants’ ability to ask questions, give answers, and develop a conversation. The test’s average cost is ₤150 (non refundable in case of failure).
Minimum Level of the English Language Test for the Spouse Visa
Applicants’ command of English shall not necessarily be advanced. SELTs include A1, A2, and B1 levels only, and an A1 level of the English test for the Spouse Visa is perfectly enough for family immigration purposes. In other words, a candidate who understands simple questions and can provide answers using short basic phrases is most likely to pass the examination.
However, the above holds for initial visa entries only (i.e., for those who apply for the Spouse Visa for the first time ever). If a foreigner has already lived in Britain with his or her partner for at least 30 months and needs to extend the visa, the minimum level requirements are slightly more rigid. It is understood that such immigrants have already had an opportunity to improve their language skills, so they shall take an A2 test for the Spouse Visa extension. This level implies that a foreigner can support a conversation on simple topics (like weather or hobbies), tell about his or her everyday life, or do shopping alone.
The next step is applying for permanent residency for family purposes (the so-called Indefinite Leave to Remain, or ILR). Such applicants are required to show yet a better command of English, so they take a B1 test for the Spouse Visa. A successful candidate can express his or her thoughts with correct grammar, and discuss a broader range of topics with English-speaking people.
Which English Test Is Required for UK Spouse Visa?
If the applicant does not rely on nationality, a degree or a previous successful application, they will usually need to pass a Secure English Language Test with an approved provider. The current rules require the test to be from an approved provider and taken at an approved test centre. For spouse and partner applications, the focus is on speaking and listening.
Approved providers
Current guidance lists the following approved providers.
If the test is taken in the UK:
- IELTS SELT Consortium
- LANGUAGECERT
- Pearson
- Trinity College London
If the test is taken outside the UK:
- IELTS SELT Consortium
- LANGUAGECERT
- Pearson
- PSI Services (UK) Ltd
Examples of approved tests
The approved tests listed in current guidance include:
- IELTS for UKVI / IELTS Life Skills
- LANGUAGECERT International ESOL SELT
- LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT
- LANGUAGECERT General SELT
- PTE Academic UKVI
- Skills for English UKVI
- Trinity’s Secure English Language Tests for UKVI, including ISE and GESE where relevant
This matters because not every IELTS, Pearson or LanguageCert exam is acceptable. Applicants must book the UKVI-approved version of the test and take it at an approved location. A general language exam outside the approved SELT system may not satisfy the spouse visa rules, even if the applicant’s English is perfectly good.
Required Documents
The only document you need to produce when booking an English exam for the UK Spouse Visa is your foreign passport. In some cases it is enough to enter the passport details, in others you are required to upload a scanned copy of your identity document.
How Long Is a Spouse Visa English Test Valid?
As a general rule, an approved English language test must have been taken within 2 years before the date of application. That is the starting point for most family visa applications based on a fresh test result.
However, the rules also contain an important exception. If the applicant has already shown that they met the English language requirement at the level required for the current application in a previous successful application for entry clearance or permission to stay, they may be able to rely on that earlier proof again. A2 or above can often be reused for an extension, and B1 or above can often be reused for settlement, provided the certificate has not been withdrawn and the qualification remains on the approved list where required.
Evidence Checklist
A spouse visa English language issue is often easier to manage if the file is organised early. Depending on the route used, the applicant may need:
- a valid passport showing nationality
- a degree certificate
- an Ecctis confirmation if the qualification was awarded outside the UK
- a valid digital reference number or provider verification for an approved English test
- evidence from a doctor or specialist if relying on a disability exemption
- detailed independent evidence if relying on exceptional circumstances
- proof from a previous successful application where English was already accepted at the required level
Exemptions
For spouse and partner cases, exemptions where:
- the applicant is 65 or over
- the applicant has a physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement
- there are exceptional circumstances that prevent the applicant from being able to meet the requirement, particularly before entry to the UK
There are also broader family-route situations where English does not need to be proved, such as applications by children and by adults coming to be cared for by a relative, but those are not spouse visa cases.Someone who has already been in the UK on a family visa for 5 years and is extending as a partner or parent does not need to prove English again.
The exceptional circumstances exemption exists, but it should be approached with care. This exemption applies where exceptional circumstances specifically prevent the applicant from meeting the English requirement, such as very serious practical barriers to learning or taking an approved test. Examples include long-term residence in a country affected by armed conflict or humanitarian disaster, prolonged hospitalisation, or severe practical obstacles to accessing an approved test. It also makes clear that lack of education or limited literacy on its own will not normally be enough.
This exemption is highly fact-specific and should not be treated as a routine fallback. Strong independent evidence is usually needed, and a person exempted at entry stage may still need to meet the requirement later when applying for further leave unless the exemption still applies.
How Can We Help?
Sterling Law is a law firm that offers comprehensive legal assistance for those who want to immigrate to Britain. Our highly experienced immigration lawyers have already helped thousands of foreign citizens to successfully move to the UK with minimal paperwork and troubles.
Spouse Visa issues are among our everyday business activities. We are ready to provide a detailed consultation at which you will learn:
- which English test is required for the UK Spouse Visa obtainment and extension;
- what approved test centre is the nearest to your home or office;
- what steps should be taken to successfully pass the exam and officially qualify for the British Spouse Visa.
We have a high approval rate for our clients’ applications. Thanks to our services, you can spare considerable time and effort while arranging your relocation to the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
What English level do I need for a first UK spouse visa application?
For a first spouse application, the usual minimum level is A1 in speaking and listening.
What English level do I need for a spouse visa extension after 2.5 years?
If your first visa relied on A1, you will usually need A2 for the extension. If you already passed A2 or above, you may often reuse that result, as long as the certificate has not been withdrawn.
Can I use a university degree instead of a test?
Yes, in many cases. A degree from a UK institution taught in English can usually be used. A degree from outside the UK that was taught in English can also usually be used if supported by the required Ecctis confirmation.
Is a spouse visa English test valid for only 2 years?
A fresh SELT result usually needs to have been awarded within the 2 years before the date of application. However, earlier proof can sometimes be reused where the current rules allow it and the earlier evidence was accepted in a previous successful application.
Can I reuse my A2 or B1 test from an earlier spouse visa application?
Often yes. A2 or higher result can often be reused for an extension, and B1 or higher can often be used again for settlement, provided the certificate has not been withdrawn and the qualification still meets the relevant rules.
Who is exempt from the spouse visa English language requirement?
Common exemptions include applicants aged 65 or over, applicants with a physical or mental condition preventing them from meeting the requirement, and some cases involving exceptional circumstances.
Is every IELTS certificate accepted for a spouse visa?
No. The test must be one of the approved UKVI tests taken with an approved provider at an approved location. A general English exam outside that framework may not be accepted.
