Naturalisation - Knowledge of English

[Chatega]

Please can anyone clarify.

I am a qualified Nurse and have been practising in the UK for 6 years now. I obtained a Diploma from Thames Valley University. Having studied in the UK and having been accepted to the Nursing Professional Body ( Nursing and Midwifery Council - NMC), do I have sufficient knowledge of English to support my application for British Naturalisation or will I be required to sit an ESOl class?

[noajthan]

Please can anyone clarify.

I am a qualified Nurse and have been practising in the UK for 6 years now. I obtained a Diploma from Thames Valley University. Having studied in the UK and having been accepted to the Nursing Professional Body ( Nursing and Midwifery Council - NMC), do I have sufficient knowledge of English to support my application for British Naturalisation or will I be required to sit an ESOl class?

There is an exemption for persons of working age who are from a majority-speaking English country.
Otherwise you need to submit evidence of a degree studied in English or else a B1-level ESOL certificate.
Note the requirements around ESOL are changing during this year.

See https://www.gov.uk/english-language/overview

[noajthan]

A follow up, if you were 'settled' in UK on or after October 2013 you don't need to repeat your KOLL - so the requirement also depends on your dates and circumstances.

From caseworker's guidance:

A migrant who fulfils the Life in the UK requirement for settlement as it applies on or after 28 October 2013 will not be required to retake any elements in a later application for naturalisation but will be deemed automatically to satisfy KoLL at that later stage

Good luck.

[Chatega]

Noajthan - Thank you for the prompt response.

To clarify I received my ILR in December 2014 and I am married to a British Citizen.

It appears then that a Nursing Diploma issued by a British University does not provide adequate evidence to have knowledge of English. It then follows then that all those from Countries who are not exempt from Knowledge of English and have a Diploma in Nursing would be required to sit a Test to prove that they have adequate knowledge of English.

Is this correct?

Thank you

[Casa]

Correct.

[noajthan]

Noajthan - Thank you for the prompt response.

To clarify I received my ILR in December 2014 and I am married to a British Citizen.

It appears then that a Nursing Diploma issued by a British University does not provide adequate evidence to have knowledge of English. It then follows then that all those from Countries who are not exempt from Knowledge of English and have a Diploma in Nursing would be required to sit a Test to prove that they have adequate knowledge of English.

Is this correct?

Thank you

I have no knowledge about nursing qualifications.
But, yes, everyone who is not exempt would need a B1 ESOL certificate (or else evidence to take the recognised degree route).

As you have a British spouse & ILR you are eligible to apply for naturalisation as soon as you fulfill KOLL, ie the LITUK certificate & English qualification. (I assume you must have LITUK already).

What evidence of English did you provide for your ILR ? (especially as this was after 2013).
Good luck.

[Chatega]

No evidence of Knowledge of English was required to get ILR as I had been granted Refugee Status.

Now that I have received the ILR via Refugee route, I want to naturalise.

Thank you

[noajthan]

No evidence of Knowledge of English was required to get ILR as I had been granted Refugee Status.

Now that I have received the ILR via Refugee route, I want to naturalise.

Thank you

Chatega,
Understood, so it means you do need an English ESOL at B1 level (or above);
you are clearly very fluent so it shouldn't be too much trouble to get that.

[Harribo]

Hi,
Just need a clarification on the knowledge of English language requirement. I have been I the UK for 19 years and only just started thinking about applying for citizenship. In short I have got a DipHe in nursing from Plymouth university and been practicing nursing for 12 years now. Also I am married to British citizen for the last 4 years. When I checked the points based calculator it didn't recognise my qualification. How do I find out if I need to sit an official exam? Or do I need to take an English course? Please help, I am very confused about this.

Thank you. Jana

[noajthan]

Hi,
Just need a clarification on the knowledge of English language requirement. I have been I the UK for 19 years and only just started thinking about applying for citizenship. In short I have got a DipHe in nursing from Plymouth university and been practicing nursing for 12 years now. Also I am married to British citizen for the last 4 years. When I checked the points based calculator it didn't recognise my qualification. How do I find out if I need to sit an official exam? Or do I need to take an English course? Please help, I am very confused about this.

Thank you. Jana

Jana,
ths Gov UK page summarises the options for proving knowledge of English, see:
https://www.gov.uk/english-language/overview

[Harribo]

Thanks for that , but I already done that and it's not exactly clear to me. Hence posting my question. Is there a phone number for enquiries? Or should I just apply, spend £ 1000 and hope for the best? Please explain rather than just giving me a website to go to.
Thank you

[noajthan]

Thanks for that , but I already done that and it's not exactly clear to me. Hence posting my question. Is there a phone number for enquiries? Or should I just apply, spend £ 1000 and hope for the best? Please explain rather than just giving me a website to go to.
Thank you

If you are not exempted by age (etc) and are not from a majority English speaking country (on official list - see website) you need to fulfill KOLL, knowledge of life (in UK) & of English.

For LITUK you need to take a LITUK test - you can self-study for this. Take test at approved centre.

For English you either have to prove you have studied to degree level in English OR submit a B1-level English certificate.

You need to find a suitable provider for ESOL classes; be aware of the changes happening to the immigration rules for English during 2015 (see website).

I don't recommend applying willy-nilly, you need to make sure you meet all requirements before applying. There is a HO helpline but be aware the HO advice is sometimes misleading or incomplete or inaccurate.

As well as this forum you could approach your local CAB advice centre or perhaps there is a nursing or NHS body that can also provide such advice too.

Good luck.