1400 Years,
I have to agree with other respondents...yes, it is a very silly aspect of the application process that even those of us who very obviously speak English fluently must still prove that we do. But it *is* a requirement...a requirement that the HO makes quite clear in the guidance notes.
I think your best hope is to reapply with a valid test score. I myself am a natural-born US citizen, born in my English-speaking nation's capital no less...educated at top US schools, both of which are *named after* my country's forefathers (who were, of course, British) and I still had to obtain a letter from my undergraduate university, verifying that my degree was taught in English. Ridiculous, yes...but when I chose to apply for HSMP, I chose to follow the guidelines set forth by the HO.
I'm thankful that at least my actual degrees were not in Latin, as I've since learned that they would have required a translation.
In my letter to my university, requesting the English letter, I even apologized to the registrar for my seemingly crazy request (I was admittedly a little embarrassed to even make the request!)...and it's worth noting that the response back was that it is a common request for many visa programs, etc and they had a form letter already created.
So I do sympathize and I do agree that on principle, you have a very valid and reasonable point. But the reality is, if you want to gain approval, you have to follow the path that leads to such an approval, regardless of how stupid it may seem.
Amy
gordon wrote:1400 Years,
That is frustrating. And yet the plus side is that you now know what must happen in a new application - you should submit a letter from the BA/BSc-granting university attesting to the English language instruction (with all the other required verbiage), and that will be sufficient for your application to go through. Unfortunately, the process is about meeting evidentiary and documentary thresholds and requirements, not about awarding points on the preponderance of evidence; so I agree with push_hsmp that a review/appeal would likely fail, and would recommend simply resubmitting a new application with your new and required evidence for English language.
Best wishes -
AG
