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New Engligh Language Requirements for Naturalization

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 12:43 pm
by ssas
Hello Everyone,
Hope all memebers are doing good.

I just wondered if anyone had a look at the changes for ILR and Naturlization applications that will be effective 28 October 2013.
I and my wife got ILR on 19/11/2012 and had passed Life in the UK Test. Would we need to take english language qualification at B1 CEFR or higher in addition to existing Life in the UK Test when applying for Naturlization November this year?

Would appreciate and expert advice.
Thanks.

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 12:58 pm
by linkers
Yes. From 28 October 2013, there will be two parts to the knowledge of language and life requirement, both of which must be met by all applicants.

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 4:41 pm
by Izno
dear all ,

I did my life in the UK test a year ago applying for ILR ( 10 years residency ) i also studied in UK . Do i need to retake a new test before applying for British Passport because of the new rules ?

many thanks

linkers wrote:Yes. From 28 October 2013, there will be two parts to the knowledge of language and life requirement, both of which must be met by all applicants.

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 4:51 pm
by antouk
linkers wrote:Yes. From 28 October 2013, there will be two parts to the knowledge of language and life requirement, both of which must be met by all applicants.
But in the statement of intent it says:

The following groups are considered automatically to meet the English language component of the
KoLL requirement and will not be required to show a formal speaking and listening qualification:
• Nationals of majority English speaking countries (Annex A).
• Those who have obtained a degree taught in English.
Both of these groups will, however, be required to pass the Life in the UK test to demonstrate
their knowledge of life in the UK.


and

The KoLL requirement for naturalisation as a British citizen will be the same as that for settlement
and the same English language qualifications will be accepted.


am i missing something here?

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 5:03 pm
by linkers
You have to either get one of the English Language Qualifications or have to be a National of majority English speaking country/have obtained a degree taught in English.

Full Statement of Intent can be found here.

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 8:05 pm
by ssas
Thank you for clarification. I have done my Master from here. I guess that would be enough?

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 8:18 pm
by Amber
ssas wrote:Thank you for clarification. I have done my Master from here. I guess that would be enough?
Indeed.

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 8:52 pm
by anzd
So this new language requirement is for everyone irrespective of when they passed their Life in UK test? I got ILR in January this year will be applying for citizenship January next year. Did my degrees in English in South Africa, must I now include degree certificates in application?

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 9:55 pm
by Amber
anzd wrote:So this new language requirement is for everyone irrespective of when they passed their Life in UK test? I got ILR in January this year will be applying for citizenship January next year. Did my degrees in English in South Africa, must I now include degree certificates in application?
If you are not from a majority English speaking Country, yes.

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 10:20 pm
by anzd
English is one of our official national languages.

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 11:24 pm
by Amber
anzd wrote:English is one of our official national languages.
Regardless, the Country must be listed in Appendix A

Posted: Thu May 23, 2013 11:36 pm
by anzd
So I will just submit my degree certificates along with the Life in UK certificate and that should suffice?

Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 6:36 am
by Amber
anzd wrote:So I will just submit my degree certificates along with the Life in UK certificate and that should suffice?
See, http://ecctis.co.uk/naric/Individuals/H ... Apply.aspx

Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 6:57 am
by antouk
I am from HSMP-TIER1 route. I have satisfied the English language requirement as part of the HSMP process. Do i still need to provide the degree certificate?

Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 7:52 am
by Amber
antouk wrote:I am from HSMP-TIER1 route. I have satisfied the English language requirement as part of the HSMP process. Do i still need to provide the degree certificate?
Read the statement of intent - https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -of-intent

Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 10:17 am
by antouk
D4109125 wrote:
antouk wrote:I am from HSMP-TIER1 route. I have satisfied the English language requirement as part of the HSMP process. Do i still need to provide the degree certificate?
Read the statement of intent - https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... -of-intent
Yes the statement says :

So, for example, a person applying for settlement as a Tier 2
(General) migrant who has already demonstrated a knowledge of English equivalent to B1 level in
order to qualify for entry clearance, will not have to take a further test at settlement stage.

Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 2:03 pm
by anzd
D4109125 wrote:
anzd wrote:So I will just submit my degree certificates along with the Life in UK certificate and that should suffice?
See, http://ecctis.co.uk/naric/Individuals/H ... Apply.aspx
What is this link to? Does not seem to answer my question at all.

Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 2:08 pm
by Amber
anzd wrote:
D4109125 wrote:
anzd wrote:So I will just submit my degree certificates along with the Life in UK certificate and that should suffice?
See, http://ecctis.co.uk/naric/Individuals/H ... Apply.aspx
What is this link to? Does not seem to answer my question at all.
The link is to verify that your degree is comparable to a British degree!

Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 2:47 pm
by antouk
I dont think we need to go for NARIC anymore, Home office already has a huge database of degrees which can be verified through PBS points calculator. correct me i am wrong.

Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 3:51 pm
by anzd
But I submitted my degree certificates in 2007 when I made the application to live in the UK in the first place (UK Ancestry route), so it must be accepted., surely?

Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 8:30 pm
by junjun24
Is GCSE english certificate and life in the uk test pass notification letter sufficient for British naturalisation application after 28 October, 2013?

Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 8:42 pm
by Coffee10
one question:any person applying for BC before October 28 does not need to meet new language requirement only if applying on or after? what about if someone apply just before October 28 lets say week before that date.will home office accept this application or might refuse it? what date is more important ?date of sending or receiving?thank you for replay

Posted: Fri May 24, 2013 9:51 pm
by Amber
Coffee10 wrote:one question:any person applying for BC before October 28 does not need to meet new language requirement only if applying on or after? what about if someone apply just before October 28 lets say week before that date.will home office accept this application or might refuse it? what date is more important ?date of sending or receiving?thank you for replay
For naturalisation, any application received by the HO on or after 28th October 2013 will need to meet the new language requirement.

Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 9:27 am
by junjun24
I have got a question here. In order to apply for a British citizenship one now has to also pass a so called English Speaking and Listening Qualification B1 Exam or to provide UKBA with a proof of an equivalent qualification (the changes to take place as of October 2013). I have got my GCSE English, I've done A Levels that are taught in English and I will be on my third year of uni in September. I have tried to find out if I can use one of these as an equivalent to B1 qualification, but I have not yet managed to find an answer. Please if someone can help me, I would be grateful.

Posted: Sat May 25, 2013 9:44 am
by Amber
junjun24 wrote:I have got a question here. In order to apply for a British citizenship one now has to also pass a so called English Speaking and Listening Qualification B1 Exam or to provide UKBA with a proof of an equivalent qualification (the changes to take place as of October 2013). I have got my GCSE English, I've done A Levels that are taught in English and I will be on my third year of uni in September. I have tried to find out if I can use one of these as an equivalent to B1 qualification, but I have not yet managed to find an answer. Please if someone can help me, I would be grateful.
UKBA wrote: Do you accept other qualifications like GCSE’s?

No. We do not currently accept qualifications like GCSE’s or International GCSE’s. There are practical issues with using other qualifications to demonstrate they meet our English language requirements including the need to have a system to verify such qualifications and the fact they may not test the skills we require e.g. speaking and listening.