Immigrants: English Language

(asked on 25th February 2020) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the level of English language competency is that migrants are expected to reach to be eligible to work in the UK; and what criteria her Department uses to measure that competency.


Answered by
Kevin Foster Portrait
Kevin Foster
This question was answered on 3rd March 2020

We require individuals coming under existing immigration routes to demonstrate an appropriate level of English. Currently, for skilled workers, this is currently set at intermediate (B1) level. Applicants can meet this requirement if they:

  • pass a Secure English Language Test at an approved test centre;
  • are a medical professional who has passed an English Language assessment for their professional registration in the UK;
  • hold a degree qualification which was taught in English;
  • are a national of a majority English-speaking country; or
  • have shown that they meet the requirement in a previous immigration application.

Having a suitable English language requirement is crucial to ensuring people coming to live, work and study in the UK are able to integrate into society. Future requirements will broadly reflect current arrangements.

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