Proof of Knowledge of the English Language

[FGC]

Hi

I am new to this forum, apologies if the this questions have been discussed elsewhere…

This is my status:
I came to settle in the UK in 1993. I am married to a British citizen and in 1994 I was permanent leave to remain (I got confirmation via letter and my passport was stamped with the relevant form acknowledging I had a permanent resident visa). i have been in full employment since 1994 and have never left the country for more than 10 day at any one year. We have a daughter born in 2000 who is also a British Citizen. Now after 24 years of residence in the UK , I have decided that I need to apply for naturalisation.

My question is in relation to how can I demonstrate my knowledge of the English language: Although I went to university outside the EU or UK, my qualifications were validated in the UK, and I qualified in the UK as an architect in 1997 through the Kent Institute of Art & Design in Canterbury, Kent. I am a member of two professional bodies, the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Architects Registration Board. I have been practicing as an architect in the UK since 1997. I have been a director of a UK based, VAT registered, architectural firm for the last 5 years.

The question is, do I need to “validate” the above as a proof of English before submitting the application for citizenship? And if so, how do I validate? I will really appreciate any advice that you could provide: many thanks.

[alterhase58]

For proof of English it's either the B1 test certificate or a degree which was taught in English.
Professional qualifications are not accepted as proof of English - I have had that experience with Accounting qualifications, which were taught and examined in English in the UK (as in my case). In the end I just took the (10 minute) B1 test to get my application going.

[CR001]

You will need to get your foreign degree assessed. You need the NARIC ELA, link below.

http://www.naric.org.uk/visas%20and%20nationality/

Or you can do the B1 English test form an HO approved test provider. Both routes cost the same.

You will also need the Life in the UK test if you have not already done it.

[FGC]

Many thanks to you both. Your messages are much appreciated. I have the feeling that the B1test route will be the best one, or at least the simpler, to follow.

[CR001]

It is and is probably quicker too. Both routes cost about the same anyway. See FAQs link below which contains a link to the approved list of test providers for B1 level test.

http://www.immigrationboards.com/britis ... 98118.html

[FGC]

It is and is probably quicker too. Both routes cost about the same anyway. See FAQs link below which contains a link to the approved list of test providers for B1 level test.

http://www.immigrationboards.com/britis ... 98118.html

Many thanks for this. I find the red tape surrounding this a bit exasperating (especially when I have been filling tax returns for the last 7 years and I have been working in the UK for 23!) but, hey ho, if it has to be done, it has to be done. Many thanks.

[CR001]

Agree with you, although I was fortunate enough to complete my journey before the English requirement became mandatory.

LIUK test material I found so boring as knew most of it already

[alterhase58]

It is and is probably quicker too. Both routes cost about the same anyway. See FAQs link below which contains a link to the approved list of test providers for B1 level test.

http://www.immigrationboards.com/britis ... 98118.html

Many thanks for this. I find the red tape surrounding this a bit exasperating (especially when I have been filling tax returns for the last 7 years and I have been working in the UK for 23!) but, hey ho, if it has to be done, it has to be done. Many thanks.

I fully sympathise - completed 30 years employment with the same company, but these are the rules, common sense doesn't come into it. Found the B1 test quite embarassing.