I passed my English test in 2016 and successfully used it to apply for a Tier II visa (valid 2016-2018) from outside the UK.
Two years later, in 2018, I successfully applied for a new Tier II visa (valid 2018-2021) and extended my permission to work in the UK, reusing my old English certificate.
In 2021, I renewed my UK visa again. It was a Skilled Worker visa valid between 2021 and 2022. I used my old certificate.
In 2022, I successfully applied for the ILR. And yes, I used my old certificate again because, as it says on the HO website:
Now I am applying for British Citizenship, and it looks like I can reuse my old certificate again, but it is not very clear. It saysYou can use a B1 level qualification that’s run out if both of the following are true:
- it’s on the current list of recognised tests
- it was accepted for another UK immigration application, for example when you got permission to enter
The problem is that I do not know whether my old certificate was accepted when I applied for ILR, or I was simply exempt, because hereYou can use a B1 level qualification that’s run out if you’re applying for citizenship and it was accepted when you settled in the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/english-language/exemptions
they mention that
So the question is, does my certificate count as "accepted when I settled in the UK"?Exemptions if you’re applying to settle
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re applying to settle:
- using certain work visas - because you proved your knowledge of English when you applied for your current visa
It sounds like "no". But on the other hand, "exempt" from what, from sitting another test and providing a new certificate or from proving my English knowledge?
In the Naturalisation Booklet (a PDF), I found the following lines:
Still, not clear, was my ILR application made "on the basis of a B1 level qualification" or not, and should I take a new test?If you successfully made an application for indefinite leave to remain on the basis of
a B1 level qualification, you would meet the English language requirement for
naturalisation and do not have to pass another test.
