Language Test

[TK29]

To apply for a spouse visa I know I would need to go for an englist test but what is the course that i would need to apply for is it A1?
I have been looking on the ukba site and they have listed all the test centres, would it be better to do the test as it says on the website or shall i go to the nearest test centre?
My wife and i are thinking to apply in November so if i do the test now would it expire by the time we apply so shall i wait and do it then or get this certificate out of the way??

Could someone please answer these questions? Thank you

[TK29]

Can someone please answer these questions.....

[Casa]

The A1 test won't expire by November. You can only take the test with one of the providers shown on the official UKBA list.

[pennylessinindia]

if you are thinking of applying in november make sure you look at the new list from July of approved English Examinations

[PeteUK]

Having looked into this myself, I emailed Cambridge ESOL (from the new suppliers list) and asked about their tests (See reply below)

Remember that "A1" is the simply the standard grade that is needed and NOT the exam itself.

Thank you for your enquiry.

The following Cambridge ESOL awards are recognised by the UK Border Agency for the language requirement for spouses:

Key English Test (KET)
Preliminary English Test (PET)
First Certificate in English (FCE)
Certificate in Advanced English (CAE)
Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
Business English Certificate (BEC) - all levels.
International Legal English Certificate (ILEC)
International Certificate in Financial English (ICFE)
ESOL Skills for Life (all levels - available in the UK only)
International English Language Testing System (band score 4 or above)

You can find further information regarding all of our awards on the following page:

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/index.html

Of these awards, KET is the mapped lowest on the Common European Framework, so might be considered the easiest. You can find a table showing how all of our exams are aligned to the Common European Framework (A1 - C2) on the link below:

http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/exams-info/cefr.html

If you need to enter for one of these awards, you will need to contact an approved examination centre. You can search for centres near you on the following page:

http://cambridgeesol-centres.org/centres/index.do

To search for an IELTS centre, please visit http://www.ielts.org

You will need to contact your chosen centre directly regarding fees and registration dates, as these vary from centre to centre. Please note that only Open centres will accept candidates who have not undertaken a course at their institution.

Please also note that the Cambridge ESOL exams are not available to be taken online, and if there is no centre in your immediate area it will be necessary to travel in order to take the exam.

In answer to your specific questions:

Q: I believe she will only need A1 in listening / Speaking initialy for the Entry Visa ?
A: I believe that this is the case, but you would need to double-check this with the UKBA as they set the requirements, rather than Cambridge ESOL. As far as taking the exam is concerned, it is not possible to take only a single component; all components of the exam must be taken in order for results to be issued.

Q: How long is the certificate valid for once passed ?
A: Cambridge ESOL certificates are valid for life once obtained. The only exceptions to this are IELTS, for which results are valid for two years only, and BULATS for which we recommend if the results is older than two years a new test should be taken.

I hope this is of assistance.

Kind regards

ESOL Helpdesk
Cambridge ESOL

[Casa]

The Op will need to check the list of providers in his home country and the application is being made outside of the UK.

[PeteUK]

The Op will need to check the list of providers in his home country and the application is being made outside of the UK.

Agreed - the links in the email reply to me allows you to select the country of origin first. Additionally - online (i.e. remote) tests are not valid.

[TK29]

I was thinking to get the certificate in the UK and then going back to my country and applying from there would this be ok? or would i need to take the exam in my country??

Thanks guys very much appreciated...

[pennylessinindia]

are you in the uk , if so on what visa . You perhaps need to be clear about what you are doing and plan to do . If you are in the UK no problem doing it there