Travelling while Citizenship application in Progress

gupta_sh2905 · Post by **gupta_sh2905** » Wed May 14, 2025 11:25 pm

I was granted ILR 10 years ago (in 2014), and at the time I met the English language requirement for settlement by submitting my degree from India, which was taught in English.

Now that I’m applying for British citizenship, I see that I’m being asked to provide an English language and academic qualification assessment through Ecctis. This requires a Medium of Instruction (MoI) letter from the awarding university and comes with quite a high cost.

Are there any alternative ways to meet the English requirement without going through Ecctis? Ideally something more affordable or less paperwork-intensive?

Thanks in advance!

Post by **CR001** » Thu May 15, 2025 6:03 am

Do the IELTS B1 English test.

gupta_sh2905 · Post by **gupta_sh2905** » Thu May 15, 2025 8:58 am

Thank you very much for the response.

I have booked the test - IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1, as suggested.

However in their terms and conditions, https://ieltsregistration.britishcounci ... sh_Council

It says that :

I understand that my test result cannot be used for United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) application purposes and that I will not be eligible for a refund if I subsequently find that I require an IELTS for UKVI test result.

What does that mean?

lolo2 · Post by **lolo2** » Thu May 15, 2025 9:22 am

There's a list of English test providers approved by UKVI

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your- ... -providers

You should make sure the test that you book is the one approved for SELT:

IELTS SELT Consortium: ‘IELTS for UKVI’ or ‘IELTS Life Skills’

LANGUAGECERT: ‘LANGUAGECERT International ESOL SELT’ or ‘LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT’ or ‘LANGUAGECERT General SELT’

Pearson: ‘PTE Academic UKVI’ or ‘PTE Home’

PSI Services: ‘Skills for English UKVI’

Trinity College London: ‘Secure English Language Tests for UKVI’ – Integrated Skills in English (ISE) or Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE)

gupta_sh2905 · Post by **gupta_sh2905** » Thu May 15, 2025 9:40 am

Yes, it is there in the approved list of centres.

London North - British Council London
1 Redman Place, Stratford, London E20 1JQ, London, E20 1JQ

For some reason their terms & conditions state what I mentioned above. Do I need to be worried?

https://ieltsregistration.britishcounci ... sh_Council

Point no. 1.7

gupta_sh2905 · Post by **gupta_sh2905** » Thu May 15, 2025 1:24 pm

Hi All,
I am planning to submit my UK citizenship application soon, and I understand that the processing time may take up to three months. During this period, I have two international trips planned, each lasting approximately two weeks.

Could you please advise:

Is it permissible to travel abroad while my citizenship application is under review?

Are there any requirements regarding physical presence in the UK at the time the Home Office makes a decision on my application?

Would these two-week trips potentially impact my application process?

lolo2 · Post by **lolo2** » Thu May 15, 2025 1:41 pm

gupta_sh2905 wrote: ↑
Thu May 15, 2025 1:24 pm
Is it permissible to travel abroad while my citizenship application is under review?
Yes

Are there any requirements regarding physical presence in the UK at the time the Home Office makes a decision on my application?
No

Would these two-week trips potentially impact my application process?
No

lolo2 · Post by **lolo2** » Thu May 15, 2025 1:55 pm

gupta_sh2905 wrote: ↑
Thu May 15, 2025 9:40 am
Yes, it is there in the approved list of centres.

London North - British Council London
1 Redman Place, Stratford, London E20 1JQ, London, E20 1JQ

For some reason their terms & conditions state what I mentioned above. Do I need to be worried?

https://ieltsregistration.britishcounci ... sh_Council

Point no. 1.7

To me that clause is saying that the 'IELTS Life Skills' test is not suitable for every UKVI application (e.g. to study in the UK) which is correct, however it's accepted for settlement and citizenship applications as per the guidance.

I wouldn't worry about this.

gupta_sh2905 · Post by **gupta_sh2905** » Thu May 15, 2025 2:16 pm

Thank you very much for clarification

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