UKVI follow up requesting Aquals - can we offer a Selts B1 test instead?
Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2021 4:14 pm
Hello dear experts and other good folk of the forum.
In July we lodged an ILR SET(M) application for my wife and this morning received a personal email from an agent at a SETMValidation email group address, saying that the language evidence provided with our application was incorrect and insufficient, and could we provide AQUALS within 14 days (or if 14 days is insufficient, they are prepared to extend more time upon request). No further directions were given.
Now our question is of two parts:
1. Is the correct way to reply directly to their email? We did so (will discuss what we said below, in 2), and have received no automated acknowledgement of receipt, or otherwise any contrary message to the effect of this being a one-way email address. Is replying to email from UKVI generally how it's done now? So we can assume they have received our reply?
2. Somehow we did mess up the evidence of language provided to them in the application (never mind, the how is not important now), and it is great that they offered us the opportunity to provide better evidence. However, the agent's email only mentioned the AQUALS and/or foreign degree translation requirements, and strangely did not mention the TRINITY SELTS B1 test, that my spouse could go and take tomorrow. The general language requirements for SET(M) seem to say they can be met by either the B1 (or other proficiency tests) or the AQUALS/degree translations.
Now as it happens, my spouse has graduate degrees from a US university instructed in English, but we will need to order transcripts, have them posted internationally and so on, so much prefer the test option (as cheaper, faster, less hassle).
In our reply email we thanked the agent and pointed out our preference for the language test over the Aquals. Now we just have to see what they reply. However, if anybody knows in advance what the case might be, it could help us immensely to get started going in one direction (test registration), or the other (requesting transcripts). And as mentioned before, just generally confirming that replying to the email is the correct course of action, in the absence of other instructions from the agent. We have scant days to deal with the matter, so while not in crisis (yet, and hopefully ever) we are under time pressure.
Kindly thank you all in advance, for any thoughts on this.
In July we lodged an ILR SET(M) application for my wife and this morning received a personal email from an agent at a SETMValidation email group address, saying that the language evidence provided with our application was incorrect and insufficient, and could we provide AQUALS within 14 days (or if 14 days is insufficient, they are prepared to extend more time upon request). No further directions were given.
Now our question is of two parts:
1. Is the correct way to reply directly to their email? We did so (will discuss what we said below, in 2), and have received no automated acknowledgement of receipt, or otherwise any contrary message to the effect of this being a one-way email address. Is replying to email from UKVI generally how it's done now? So we can assume they have received our reply?
2. Somehow we did mess up the evidence of language provided to them in the application (never mind, the how is not important now), and it is great that they offered us the opportunity to provide better evidence. However, the agent's email only mentioned the AQUALS and/or foreign degree translation requirements, and strangely did not mention the TRINITY SELTS B1 test, that my spouse could go and take tomorrow. The general language requirements for SET(M) seem to say they can be met by either the B1 (or other proficiency tests) or the AQUALS/degree translations.
Now as it happens, my spouse has graduate degrees from a US university instructed in English, but we will need to order transcripts, have them posted internationally and so on, so much prefer the test option (as cheaper, faster, less hassle).
In our reply email we thanked the agent and pointed out our preference for the language test over the Aquals. Now we just have to see what they reply. However, if anybody knows in advance what the case might be, it could help us immensely to get started going in one direction (test registration), or the other (requesting transcripts). And as mentioned before, just generally confirming that replying to the email is the correct course of action, in the absence of other instructions from the agent. We have scant days to deal with the matter, so while not in crisis (yet, and hopefully ever) we are under time pressure.
Kindly thank you all in advance, for any thoughts on this.