English Language Test requirements for Naturalisation under EEA Family Member route

[flann]

i am Irish living in the UK for 20 years (exercising my treaty rights). Have been married to my wife (originally from Asia) for 10 years. She held Family Permit for 6 years and then applied under the EEA route for a PR card. She has now held Permanent Residence Card (Residence Card of a Family Member of a European Citizen) since Sep 2015. She has passed Life in the UK Test.

Question: In addition to the Life in the UK test certificate, does she also need to pass an English Test? My understanding was that she was exempt by virtue of having taken the EEA route.

Thanks.

F

[CR001]

In addition to the Life in the UK test certificate, does she also need to pass an English Test?

Yes she does and it must be a HO approved test and test provider at B1 level.

My understanding was that she was exempt by virtue of having taken the EEA route.

Your understanding is wrong, there is no 'exemption' for applicants on the EEA/EU route. ALL applicants must meet the English and LIUK requirement for Citizenship.

[flann]

Thanks for the quick response on a Sunday. From the reading of the boards here, I was afraid that was the case.

[Ffmuni]

As far as I know the only grounds on which she could get exemption and she would not have to take the tests is age, e.g. 65yrs+ or mental incapacity.