Language requirements for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and citizenship applications
The requirements
If you are aged 18 to 65 years old and want to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or British citizenship, you must prove that you meet the
- English language requirements and
- The Life in the UK test requirements.
You must attend an approved language test centre. A list of approved centres is available at . Any qualifications issued by a test centre that is not on the approved list will not be accepted.
You will need to pass both the ÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥˜Life in the UK test and also have an English language qualification (unless you are exempt).
You will need to submit a Life in the UK Test pass notification letter.
If you do not have this please visit to find out:
- how to book a test
- how to prepare for the test
- the cost of the test.
Exemptions for the Life in the UK Test
You are exempt from having to sit the Life in the UK Test if you:
- are under 18 or over 65
- have a significant mental condition
- have a significant long-term physical condition.
In addition to the Life in the UK Test, you must provide evidence of a Secure English language Test certificate at least level B1 from the following providers:
- IELTS SELT Consortium
- LanguageCert
- Pearson
- Trinity College London
- Degree certificate from a UK university
- Degree certificate from a non-UK university that was taught and assessed entirely in English.You must obtain a letter from your university that confirms this. The university letter must accompany the degree certificate or transcript and must then be forwarded to for assessment. You cannot submit your final application to the Home Office without obtaining a positive ECCTIS assessment.
You must obtain your qualification from a test centre that has been
You do not need to have an English language qualification if you hold a current passport from one of the listed countries on.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- Republic of Ireland (for citizenship only)
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
However, you must still pass the .
You may still be able to use this if it has been used in the past visa application, for example, with your last leave to remain application or previous Indefinite Leave to Remain application (and itÃÛÌÒÖ±²¥™s at level B1).
Further Support
The RCN Immigration Advice Service can provide advice about particular difficulties you are experiencing providing key documentation to show you meet the English requirements.
If you would like further assistance, please contact the advice team. You will need to provide us with your membership number and details of your current immigration status.
How to contact us
Call RCN Direct on 0345 772 6100 or see how to contact the RCN Advice Team.
Quick links
General Immigration
- Immigration Advice Service main page
- Completing online applications for visas or citizenship
- Health and Care Visas and the Immigration Health Surcharge FAQ
- Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)