The Home Office considers certain countries as so-called English Speaking Countries. Unless you are a national from one of these countries, you have to prove your knowledge of English.
All Applicants applying for Settlement in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or British Citizenship via naturalisation are required to fulfil an English Language Requirement. This English Language requirement is part of the so-called KoLL requirement or Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK.
Applicants who are nationals of majority English-speaking countries and those who have obtained a degree taught in English will not be required to undertake the separate English test.
The UK Home Office consider the following countries to be from a majority English speaking country, and they thus automatically fulfil the English Language Requirement.
English Speaking Countries
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- British Overseas Territories
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland (for citizenship only)
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- The United States of America
Nationals of these countries (considered to be English-speaking countries) only need to submit their passport or travel document to prove they meet the English language requirement. You can also check the updated list of English-speaking countries on the Home Office website.
How Breytenbachs can help you
Please speak to your BIC consultant for more information about your unique circumstances. Your consultant will be able to advise you on whether you need to fulfil the English language requirement. If so, they will advise at what level will assist you in choosing an approved service provider.
Disclaimer
Please note that the information in this article does not constitute professional advice. It is provided for general information purposes without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied.