English language requirement issue

[wasimkhan]

Hi All,

I'm currently completing the online application for ILR (SET M) for my wife. This is on the 5 year spouse visa route. I'm a bit confused about the English language requirement for this...

My wife gained a B1 qualification from Trinity College London over 2 years ago and she used this as evidence 2.5 years ago for her FLR M application. The test centre etc. is still the list of approved tests so according to the guidance notes, she can still use this test for her ILR application, even though it's expired.

However, when filling out the ILR form online, the only question that came up regarding meeting the English language requirement was the following:

"Did you meet the knowledge of English requirement as part of an indefinite leave application made on or after 28 October 2013? (Required)
Applicants who applied for, and obtained, settlement on or after the 28th October 2013 using an English language qualification at level B1 or above can use this as evidence of their knowledge of English language. However if this qualification was not used and accepted for their settlement application, it cannot be used for this application."

So we are answering "No" to this as she has not made any ILR application previously (she's only ever applied for the initial spouse via, and then FLR M).

But after answering "No", we were given no other question regarding the English language requirement, where we can specify the B1 qualification reference number etc. And it's not come up on the list of documents to provide at the end either.

So my questions are:
1) Does the above mean we cannot use the previous B1 qualification for this ILR application, as it was NOT used as part of a previous ILR application? Have the rules changed?
2) Is it normal for the ILR form not to prompt us to enter any B1 qualification reference number?
3) Anyone else experience this issue? What did you select and how did you provide evidence of English language?

My wife is considering obtaining another B1 qualification just to be on the safe side but we'd rather avoid this tbh. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[zimba]

2) Is it normal for the ILR form not to prompt us to enter any B1 qualification reference number?

Yes, the qualification still can be used

[wasimkhan]

Thanks Zimba. But I'm confused as the form never asked us to input any English test SELT reference number. Infact, it didn't even ask the question "how will you prove your knowledge of English?".

My friend completed the same form a few months ago, and he was asked this question and provided the SELT reference number in the form.

So either the form simply doesn't require it any more or there is an issue at their end where the form is not prompting us about the English test.

Any ideas?

[aman90]

Say yes to the question and see what happens.
Keep in mind- it’s the evidence provided according to requirement that matters.

[mshoeib]

We are in the same situation. I was completing my wife's Set (M) application today. I found the same concern. The English language test details are not mentioned anywhere in the application away from this question:
"Did you meet the knowledge of English requirement as part of an indefinite leave application made on or after 28 October 2013? (Required)
Applicants who applied for, and obtained, settlement on or after the 28th October 2013 using an English language qualification at level B1 or above can use this as evidence of their knowledge of English language. However if this qualification was not used and accepted for their settlement application, it cannot be used for this application."

Answering the question with yes or no doesn't make a difference.

We will submit the english test results with the application anyhow. But it is a bit worrying that it doesn't come up anywhere.

[wasimkhan]

Thanks for the replies.

aman90 - yes I am worried too and I'm pretty sure it's a fault on the online form, as my friend submitted his recently and was definitely asked to provide the English test reference number. It just doesn't come up any more and the English test is not even listed in the checklist at the end either.

Is there a contact number and/or email to raise issues with the online system? I can't find one online.
If I raise it with them, they might look into it, as it will help others too when they come to fill in in their form and avoid people forgetting to add the English test details to their supporting documents.

[aman90]

Google HO complaints email.
You can also provide feedback when sent a survey email by HO

[mshoeib]

Hi Wasim,

Do you have any update on this?

We are ready to submit the ILR Set (M) application but still have doubts about it.

[wasimkhan]

Hi Wasim,

Do you have any update on this?

We are ready to submit the ILR Set (M) application but still have doubts about it.

Hi, I'm afraid not. The form still doesnt ask for any English test reference numbers. I would say just submit as it is and include your test certificate in your supporting docs. But I'm not 100% sure....

[mshoeib]

Hi Wasimkhan,

Just an update...we completed the online application with replying the English question with No. Then we uploaded the English B1 certificate on the UKVCAS website along with the Life in the UK pass certificate. My wife went for her appointment on Friday early morning and we already got the approval in the afternoon (super-priority).

So, just upload the Trinity College pass certificate and pray things will work.

Hopefully, this gives you some assurance.

[wasimkhan]

Hi Wasimkhan,

Just an update...we completed the online application with replying the English question with No. Then we uploaded the English B1 certificate on the UKVCAS website along with the Life in the UK pass certificate. My wife went for her appointment on Friday early morning and we already got the approval in the afternoon (super-priority).

So, just upload the Trinity College pass certificate and pray things will work.

Hopefully, this gives you some assurance.

mshoeib - Thank you very much for your update, really appreciate it! Also, congrats on the visa approval, glad there were no issues for you.

We will do the same, we'll answer No to that question and upload the B1 cert in the supporting docs.

My wife's B1 cert has expired, but she used it in her last FLR(M) application 2.5 years ago, and it's still on the list of approved tests, so I believe we can use it again.