Who does this affect? Anyone applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) on a spouse visa, work visa, student visa, or most other routes. If you've been in the UK on a visa for the required number of years (usually five years for most categories, two for spouses), you'll need to meet the B1 threshold before your ILR application will be accepted. The Home Office will not process your settlement application without proof of English proficiency at that level.
The exemptions are narrow. You don't need to take a test if you're over 65 years old, if you have a disability that prevents you from taking a test, or if you hold certain visa categories—mainly asylum-related visas and a few others. If you're under 65 and applying for ILR on a standard route (work, spouse, student, skilled worker), you will need to provide evidence. Check your specific visa category on the UK Home Office website to confirm, because the exemptions do shift occasionally.
The approved tests are specific. IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the most common choice among visa applicants. TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is accepted. Cambridge English qualifications at B1 level or above work. Trinity College London SELT (Secure English Language Test) is approved. Duolingo English Test is now accepted as of 2023. The Home Office maintains a full list of approved providers on its website—do not take a test from a provider not on that list, because the Home Office will not recognize it, and you'll have wasted money and time.
Test fees vary. IELTS costs around £215 in the UK (prices vary slightly by test center and whether you take the academic or general module; for settlement, you need the general module). TOEFL iBT runs about £220. Cambridge exams are typically £150-£200 depending on the level. Duolingo is the cheapest at around £49, though some applicants worry about its relative newness on the approved list. Budget for the test itself, plus preparation time. If you're not confident in your English, you may want to take a preparatory course—those range from £200 to £2,000 depending on intensity and whether they're online or in-person.
The timeline matters. Test results are valid for two years from the date you take the test. This is crucial: if you take a test now but don't apply for ILR for two years, your results will have expired and you'll need to take another test. Plan backward from your intended ILR application date. If you're eligible to apply in six months, take the test within four months of that date. If you're eligible in two years, you have more flexibility, but don't assume you can take the test whenever—the two-year window is strict.
The application process is straightforward once you have your test results. When you submit your ILR application through the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) portal, you'll upload your test certificate as part of your supporting documents. The Home Office will verify it against the approved test list. If your certificate is valid and shows B1 level or above, that requirement is satisfied. If you don't include it, or if your certificate is expired, your application will be rejected—not refused, rejected, meaning you'll have to reapply and pay the application fee again.
Application fees for ILR are £2,885 (as of 2024; fees change annually, so verify the current amount). There's also an Immigration Health Surcharge of £1,035 per year for most applicants, though some categories are exempt. Processing time is typically 6-8 weeks from submission, though it can take longer if the Home Office requests additional information. You cannot work or travel outside the UK while your application is being processed unless you have a travel permit (which you can apply for separately).
One common mistake: people assume they can take a test in their home country before moving to the UK, or that an old test from years ago still counts. It doesn't work that way. The test must be taken after you've been granted your visa (or at least after you've arrived in the UK on that visa), and it must be current—taken within two years of your ILR application. If you took IELTS five years ago to get your work visa, you'll need to take it again for settlement.
Another trap: confusing the settlement requirement with other English language requirements. Some visa categories (like skilled worker visas) have their own English language requirements at the point of application. Those are separate from the settlement requirement. You might have met the requirement to get your visa but still need to pass a test for settlement. Check both sets of requirements for your specific situation.
If you're currently on a UK visa and planning to settle, the time to act is now. Take a practice test to see where you stand. If you're already at B1 level or above, book an official test and get it done within the next few months—don't wait until you're actually eligible to apply for ILR, because you'll be under time pressure. If you're below B1, enroll in an English course now. Most people can move from A2 to B1 in 3-6 months of consistent study, depending on their starting point and how much time they can dedicate. The Home Office won't grant you extra time or leniency because you're close to the threshold. You either have the certificate or you don't.
The policy itself has been controversial. Critics argue it's a barrier to settlement for people who have lived and worked in the UK for years, paid taxes, and contributed to their communities. Supporters say it's a reasonable standard for permanent residency. That debate doesn't change the rule, though. If you want to settle in the UK, you need B1 English. Plan accordingly.
