Naturalisation- English Language test expired Tier 2

[Eykyvon]

Hi,
Looking for some advise. I applied for British Citizenship with my old IELTS which I used for my Tier 2 visa application in 2017. I was granted ILR in 2022. In my ILR application I answered "Yes" to the question "Have you been previously granted leave to remain under Tier 2 (General) as a doctor dentist, nurse o midwife and passed an English Language Test as a requirement for registration". I remember submitting my IELTS result that time.

However, I received an email from Home office asking for English test evidence as mine was over 2 years ago and it was not required when I was granted settlement.

I was confused by this and I asked my nurse colleagues and none of them had to take a new IELTS for Naturalisation as the expired IELTS was accepted for T2 and subseqsequently used the same for ILR and citizenship.

Has anyone had this experience and what did you do to resolve this?

[contorted_svy]

You have two avenues:
Provide your IELTS test results and explain you submitted them for your Tier 2 application
Go sit for a SELT B1 test, they cost roughly £150

Did they give you a deadline to submit your test results?

[Eykyvon]

Thank you.

They gave me 3 weeks to submit a new one. I called home office and they just said check the guidance and to write a letter to explain that I have used it in tier 2 . I have already sent a letter to them and sent them my expired ielts again.

I checked the Guidance AN:Naturalisation booklet July 2024 and it says

If you successfully made an
application for indefinite leave to
remain (ILR) on the basis of a B1
level qualification you would meet
the English language requirement
for naturalisation and do not have
to pass another test. This
includes where you satisfied the
requirement for ILR because you
had already met the B1 level
qualification for entry clearance or
leave to remain.

I am still waiting for the RCN immigration adviser. But I might just retake the SELT exam for my peace of mind.

[contorted_svy]

The helpline is outsourced so the answers they give are not always reliable. You quoted the correct part of the guidance, they should recognise that exam. However as you say, for peace of mind you can take another exam anyway if the hassle is justified by your peace of mind.

[Eykyvon]

Thank you for the advice, I did write to them and took a B1 test. However, I got my invitation for citizenship ceremony email before my final B1 result even arrived and way earlier than their deadline.

[contorted_svy]

Better safe than sorry I guess. You could send them a complaint. Congratulations on your approval.

[ramin86]

I'm in the same situation, I have submitted my application but not sure to take the exam as my IELTS is run out, so you didn't provide the result at the end?

[contorted_svy]

If you used the IELTS exam to apply for a previous visa use that and it should be enough.

[rtech]

It was previously accepted by the Home Office during my initial Tier 2 (General) visa application (2019). However, I did not include it in my ILR application (2024) because I was exempt, having already provided it with my first application.

[contorted_svy]

That should be fine. Just include the certificate and explain you used to in your tier2 application that led to ilr.