What are the English language requirements for Skilled Workers migrating to the UK?

If you are coming to the UK on a Skilled Worker Visa, you must provide one of the following: proof of passing an English language test, proof of a degree taught in English, or proof that you have English language exemption. In this article, immigration lawyer Sharmila Mehta and paralegal Ami Koya explain the requirements of each for a Skilled Worker moving to the UK for employment.

English language test

Applicants must have passed a test at or above B1 of the Council of Europe’s common European framework for language and learning in the four component parts of reading, writing, speaking and listening with a score of 4.0 overall and the same in each individual test.

Thereafter, for the visa application, the individual must provide a valid digital reference number from an approved provider showing that they have passed an approved English language test to the required level in each required component as set out in the relevant route, in the two years before the date of the application.

The list of approved tests and providers is updated from time to time and can be found on the Government website.

Degree taught in English

To meet the requirements for a qualification taught in English, it must have been taught in English to the appropriate level.

To find an approved test, your test must be on the list of approved English language tests, have been sat at an approved test location, and have been awarded in the two years before the date of your application. Test providers include: LanguageCert, Pearson, Trinity College London, IELTS and SELT Consortium.

Applicants must provide a qualification which is equivalent to:

• UK Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD.
• Qualification awarded by an educational establishment outside the UK, which is considered by the Home Office-approved verification agency, Ecctis, to meet recognised standard of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or PhD in the UK. Ecctis will confirm whether the degree meets the UKVI English language requirements.

To meet the requirements for qualifications taught in English, the applicant will need to submit a copy of their degree certificate, together with a transcript of marks for all years of the degree course and a letter from the conferring institution confirming the medium of instruction. The letter must also include the applicant’s full name, date of birth and nationality.

Applicants will still need to get their degree verified (for example, US or Irish degrees) through Ecctis, even if the degree itself has been taught in English.

The only exception to this verification requirement is a degree taught in the UK.

Exemptions from the language requirements or no requirement

If a Skilled Worker applicant has previously been awarded 10 points in a previous visa application to UKVI in the below categories (i.e. speaks English at the required level), they do not need to prove language again.

• Skilled Worker or Tier 2 General
• Tier 1 (General)
• Tier 1 (Entrepreneur),
• Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
• Tier 4 (General) student.

Proving English language for a Skilled Worker application can be time-consuming, costly and irritating, especially since potential applicants will have already satisfied their new UK employer as to their ability to do the job in the UK at an interview conducted in English. However, the requirement applies across the board from CEOs to new entrants, so it’s important to factor the above into any timetable for a relocation.

If you have questions or concerns about the Skilled Worker Visa and its requirements, please contact Sharmila Mehta and Ami Koya.