English Test for Settlement

[sparkyzal]

Think i know the answer to this but any opinions would be welcomed.

My argentinian girlfriend is applying for an unmarried partner visa in argentina. She is an english teacher with over 10 years teaching experience, her english is perfect. She has a Certificate of Proficiency in English as a second language awarded by the University of Michigan from 1994, as well as numerous references from english institute employers.

Taking the test is inconvenient, expensive and completely unecessary.

Is there any chance that her application could be processed without taking another test??? Im guessing no but thought i would tthrow it out there.

Thanks for any info, Mark

[Casa]

Not unless she has a Batchelor's degree which was taught in English

[sparkyzal]

ok thanks.
It states on the UKBA website that anyone taking the TOEFL test needs to achieve 87 out of 120 on the test which equals B2. But the general requirement is A1. Any ideas why this imbalance exists? The TOEFL exam is based on academic english and is very challenging and a score of much less than 87 would demonstrate A1 basic level.
The TOEFL exam is the only one with proximity and availability to my girlfriend. Do you think that there would be some flexibility for an applicant whos score was slightly less than 87??
I know you dont make the rules and its an impossible question to answer for sure but any thoughts/experience??

Many thanks

[Casa]

At this stage...pre-commencement of the test anything regarding UKBA discretion and flexibility would be purely guesswork.

[Louby Lou]

We are in the same situation. It states on the first page of information on UKBA site that the applicant does not need to show any ability in reading or writing English, only in speaking and listening. However, it would be impossible to achieve a score of 87 in the TOEFL exam purely in speaking and listening. I sent a query to Worldbridge and they replied directing me back to the PDF on the UKBA website. Also telephoned UKBA and they said ask at the Embassy in Cairo, however, it is Worldbridge who deal with applications in Egypt!! We cannot take the risk of submitting the visa application and having it knocked back due to this, but I am completely stuck as to what to do next??
Can anyone help? Otherwise it seems like the only option is to retake the test but in ESOL or IELTS.