HELP......English Language Requirements
Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2020 4:36 pm
Hello
I was hoping to get some advice on my wife’s application for Indefinite Leave to Remain, I’ve tried searching the forum and Google (including the Home Office info) and we are still as confused as ever.
My wife is a Russian National on the 5 year spouse route and her application for ILR was due at the start of the pandemic.
The proof of English language skills she has used for her 2 previous spouse visas (and visitors visas before that) is her ESOL examination certificate. It is a Cambridge University Level 3 Certificate in Advanced English. She received a grade A at level 3 (UK National Qualifications Framework), Council of Europe Level C2.
When she had completed the application she rang the Home Office Coronavirus Helpline as she wasn’t able to book an appointment for the Life in the UK test. She was assured that her application wouldn’t be affected by the delay in providing the LIUK result. They also confirmed the certificate for her language skills, submitted for previous visas would be accepted.
So fast forward a little and LIUK passed and application submitted. She has since had 2 emails. The first asking the reason her application was submitted late......erm, little question of a global pandemic holding everything up.
The second email, just this week, was to say they can’t accept her qualification as the test centre (in St Petersburg, Russia) is no longer an approved provider as set out in Appendix O. When we’ve searched for Appendix O on .gov it is showing as deleted.
The HO Staff Guidance, English language requirement: family members under part 8, Appendix FM and Appendix Armed Forces, Part 8 suggests the qualification is valid as does S.32d of Immigration Rules Appendix FM-SE: family members specified evidence.
The qualification is still valid on OFQUAL and it seems crazy she will have to go to the trouble of travelling to a test centre to pay for and sit a lower qualification than she already has.
We are going to contact the HO by email or try the helpline again but I just wondered if anyone has had a similar experience or has any advice.
Many thanks in advance.
I was hoping to get some advice on my wife’s application for Indefinite Leave to Remain, I’ve tried searching the forum and Google (including the Home Office info) and we are still as confused as ever.
My wife is a Russian National on the 5 year spouse route and her application for ILR was due at the start of the pandemic.
The proof of English language skills she has used for her 2 previous spouse visas (and visitors visas before that) is her ESOL examination certificate. It is a Cambridge University Level 3 Certificate in Advanced English. She received a grade A at level 3 (UK National Qualifications Framework), Council of Europe Level C2.
When she had completed the application she rang the Home Office Coronavirus Helpline as she wasn’t able to book an appointment for the Life in the UK test. She was assured that her application wouldn’t be affected by the delay in providing the LIUK result. They also confirmed the certificate for her language skills, submitted for previous visas would be accepted.
So fast forward a little and LIUK passed and application submitted. She has since had 2 emails. The first asking the reason her application was submitted late......erm, little question of a global pandemic holding everything up.
The second email, just this week, was to say they can’t accept her qualification as the test centre (in St Petersburg, Russia) is no longer an approved provider as set out in Appendix O. When we’ve searched for Appendix O on .gov it is showing as deleted.
The HO Staff Guidance, English language requirement: family members under part 8, Appendix FM and Appendix Armed Forces, Part 8 suggests the qualification is valid as does S.32d of Immigration Rules Appendix FM-SE: family members specified evidence.
The qualification is still valid on OFQUAL and it seems crazy she will have to go to the trouble of travelling to a test centre to pay for and sit a lower qualification than she already has.
We are going to contact the HO by email or try the helpline again but I just wondered if anyone has had a similar experience or has any advice.
Many thanks in advance.