Knowledge of Life in the United Kingdom

Post by **John** » Wed Jun 15, 2005 10:25 pm

As from a date later this year, that exact date has still to be announced, all applicants for Naturalisation as British will need to pass a test to demonstrate their "Knowledge of Life in the United Kingdom".

A lot more detail is in the following document, which also reiterates the language requirement that came into force last July :-

Written Ministerial Statement

This information comes from this webpage on the IND website.

It is made clear in that Ministerial Statement that applications submitted prior to the new requirement being introduced will not be affected.

Post by **John** » Thu Jun 16, 2005 11:28 am

I find this part particularly interesting :-

To make the whole process more convenient and cheaper to applicants, the Government have decided that successful completion of this test will remove the need for applicants to provide separate evidence of language ability, as it will be set at a level that requires language skills at or above ESOL entry 3 level. In the light of this decision, the Government have decided not to add elected representatives or any other group to the list of people designated under existing legislation as able to certify that applicants for naturalisation are fluent in English.

That is, once the new procedure is in force, anyone whose English is clearly at ESOL Entry 3 level, or indeed often well above that level, the person can effectively bypass producing separate proof of English ability, and instead just take the compulsory Citizenship test. That is, no more need to go to a Notary or Language College.

After all, if their English is not actually at ESOL Entry 3 level then they will struggle to pass the Citizenship Test anyway.

Khurram · Post by **Khurram** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:43 pm

Just a comment ... wouldn't it have been a much better idea for the HO to have put out an e-copy of the book as well ... which could have been downloaded for FREE !!!

TSO Bookshop : Life in the UK: A Journey to Citizenship

Its also currently available from amazon.

Regards

jjustyy · Post by **jjustyy** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:47 pm

No doubt they would say someone had to put the book together so there has to be a fee

In fact that book price will probably be nearer £20 in 6 months time

rogerroger · Post by **rogerroger** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:01 pm

if you get the ROA certificate in your passport, would you still neeed to go for the citizenship test?

Post by **John** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 12:21 pm

I think the answer must be ... yes! ... if only because until the Naturalisation Certificate is granted well you won't be able to apply for the ROA. And when the test has been brought in, a pass certificate for that test will be required as part of the evidence to be submitted when applying for Naturalisation.

rogerroger · Post by **rogerroger** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 1:33 pm

so in future 1. you would need to pass the nest

before 2. applying for naturalisation
and 3. applying for ROA

so if i apply for naturalisation and ROA now, then i will be exempt from the test, correct?

any idea when the test is gonna kick in?

Post by **John** » Tue Jun 21, 2005 2:18 pm

Rogerroger, the test has not yet been introduced. Any applicant whose application form etc is received before the introduction day will be exempt from needing to produce a pass certificate for the test.

When is the introduction day? Best guess is sometime later this calendar year .... maybe a date in October or November? But I emphasise that is only a guess.

Leo_Swan · Post by **Leo_Swan** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 10:49 am

Hello Guys,

Well after reading this post I thought, why not buy this book:
TSO Bookshop : Life in the UK: A Journey to Citizenship

And I recieved it yesterday. To be honest it was not a waste of £12 post incl.
I have been in the UK now for 6 1/4 years incl my Working Holiday and found the content very informative. Really there was so much that is didnt know.

So my verdict is, if you plan to make the big leap soon, ie become British, it is worth the £12, no matter how they change things.

Post by **John** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:30 am

Leo .... good recommendation ... those who think they might need to take the test should indeed buy the book. Click here to go to the relevant TSO webpage.

But also, the comment must be that people who intend to apply for naturalisation should do so as soon as they are time-qualified to apply. The requirement to produce a test certificate will only apply to those submitting their applications after that requirement has been added, and will not affect anyone whose application is in the pipeline at that time.

Leo, I checked back on your previous postings and see that you publicly posted that you got your ILR on 9th February 2005. So presumably you are waiting for 9th February 2006 to come around before you can apply. If however you happen to be married to a British Citizen well you can apply now.

Leo_Swan · Post by **Leo_Swan** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 11:53 am

Hi john,

Actually it is 8 March 2006 since i used the 28 days befor 4year rule... Marrige???? mmmmm not yet Sir, and my better halve is Polish not British.

We well tie the knot eventually but i think it will be after my BC application and being granted (no real rush), as a honeymoon we would like to go travel the world a bit, 3months break and the little Red book makes more sence than my Green one (passport, for all the non Sarfies)...

As for taking the tests, i dont really mind about that any more, learning things like a parrate has always been my strong point (hehe)

But as a last point that book is a "must buy"

Post by **John** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 12:02 pm

Leo, yesterday you posted "I have been in the UK now for 6 1/4 years", so why do you think 8 March 2006 rather than 9 February 2006? Your ILR visa is dated 9 February 2005?

That is, on 9 February 2006 you will have been in the UK legally for the previous five years? And indeed you were physically in the UK on 9 February 2001? If so, why not apply then?

Leo_Swan · Post by **Leo_Swan** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 12:15 pm

Sir,

Let me explain. I was in UK for 2 years Working Holiday, then I went back to SA to visit all the friends and family whilst my proper Work Permit was being processed (In saying that, i did go back to SA, and then posted pasport back to UK with all the extra stuff the HO need for the application) So I visiting and playing golf for 3 months intill I had a phone call for the company that they got my passport back form HO with nice 5year work permit in it. This was DHL'd to me and they day I got it, I booked a Ticket for the following day back to UK. That day of arrival was 8 March 2001. Shoe.... Hope this clears things up even more...

So as you can see Sir, i have to do everything in the right order. (And i know i shouldnt ask yet but i would like to keep my SA citizenship when I apply, so really i will wait till Nov/Dec/Jan to start asking the Questions)

This website is a real godsend and the guys who thought off it really needs to be comended.

Post by **John** » Thu Jun 23, 2005 1:35 pm

Leo, spot on ... so 8th March next year it is! Hope it all works out.

Rogerio · Post by **Rogerio** » Wed Jul 13, 2005 11:18 am

I became a BC back in Nov 04, and also bought the "A Journey to Citizenship" book a month or so ago. Great reading material.... a bit biased historically, but guessed it would be !

Worth the £12 !

Rogerio

flyez · Post by **flyez** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 2:13 pm

Hi,

any updated information about when and where should I go to register this knowledge test since I cannot avoid this minor trobule? thanks

rogerroger · Post by **rogerroger** » Fri Oct 07, 2005 3:31 pm

just confirming, if i take the compulsary citizenship test, english test requirement is waived, correct?

i am looking at my own post, what is the ROA test that i ws referring to

the appointment system is driving me crazy, i thought it was a walk in service

bubbles · Post by **bubbles** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 3:58 pm

Khurram,

I was looking on TSO website and amzon. They got same ISBN no. for the book. But on amazon it shows 120pages and on TSO it shows 146pages.

Does anyone knows, which one is better ?

Cheers

Khurram wrote:Just a comment ... wouldn't it have been a much better idea for the HO to have put out an e-copy of the book as well ... which could have been downloaded for FREE !!!

TSO Bookshop : Life in the UK: A Journey to Citizenship

Its also currently available from amazon.

Regards

confused1 · Post by **confused1** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 11:59 am

you could have spent that £12 better somewhere else.. rather than wasting it in buying that useless book....

confused1 · Post by **confused1** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 12:01 pm

I heard they're also thinking to introduce a similar Life in the Uk test for people who would apply for ILR! I guess the UK government are doing these just to creat jobs and making money.... Ripping off the immigrants....

Post by **John** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 1:45 pm

Confused .... I'm confused! Why do you say that book is useless?

Also tests at the ILR stage. Isn't that a language test that there are thinking about? In any case there is no firm proposal at the moment.

But even if they do introduce that, why would that be ripping off immigrants?

mhunjn · Post by **mhunjn** » Mon Jan 30, 2006 2:24 pm

I for one think that the HO book is quite useful and very practical indeed. It actually has a lot of very practical info about day to day life and Britain in general.
As for ripping off the immigrants... nobody has been forced to come and live in Britain... so why blame the deptt for making a profit whilst offering a service as well?...

Anastasia · Post by **Anastasia** » Tue May 30, 2006 6:37 pm

I found it funny when I realized I had to pick the correct answer out of 4.
I got myself prepared for a lot more than that.

I think the test is pointless and doesn’t prove anything.

It only saved me the hassle of contacting my ex schools for my grades. *Smiles*

……………………
Anastasia.

chowdry · Post by **chowdry** » Tue May 30, 2006 6:51 pm

Talk about funny ... we are running the test in our office at the moment using http://www.myuktest.co.uk

Foreigners V Brits !!!

At the moment the Foreigners are in the lead? Beats me but a good laugh anyway!

Will keep you posted on the score once everyone has done it!

mic c

Anastasia · Post by **Anastasia** » Tue May 30, 2006 6:59 pm

You know what.....

I might have to try that at my office. smiles*

...........................

Anastasia

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Knowledge of Life in the United Kingdom

Knowledge of Life in the United Kingdom