Who has to take the A1 English Test?

On 24 July 2014 the Home Office removed the exemption allowing long-term residents of a country listed as having no approved A1 English test to not need to meet the A1 English language requirement. This means that more applicants will need to meet this level of proficiency in English.

Previously, individuals who lived in certain countries were exempt from having to meet the A1 English language requirement. The change is a step towards ensuring that those who wish to settle in the UK possess basic English speaking skills, enabling them to mix into British society.

Those who live in countries without an approved A1 English test will have to take the test in a country where there is an approved test. The only way they will be exempt from meeting the A1 language requirement is if they can show in their application for a visa that it is not ‘practicable or reasonable for them to do so’.

Meanwhile, the exemption will continue to apply to those applying from select countries including Turkmenistan, Somalia and Sierra Leone, until 14 August 2014.

If you need help with an immigration issue, call our immigration team today on 01753 486 777.

Amarjit Atwal, Paralegal