English language for and ILR: can the previously submitted evidence be used?
This posting is for those who now need to
demonstrate English language ability at a B1 level when applying for permanent
residency in the UK (Indefinite Leave to Remain) and who already had to prove
English in the previous applications.
If your previous visa had a condition of proving
English at a B1 level or higher then you don’t need to prove it again. Example
would be a Tier 1 General visa (including extensions).
If your previous visa had a condition of English
at a lower level, but you achieved a B1 or higher level anyway, then you only
need to provide that evidence, ie document(s) you used in that previous
application. This is especially important for spouses/partners of UK citizens:
for an initial spouse/partner visa only a basic A1 level was required, however many
spouses achieved a minimum B1 level at that stage. Now for an ILR a spouse
needs a B1 level, so to avoid taking another English test tehre is a concession
– to provide evidence (such as a test certificate) which was used in the
previous application. This concession only works if you provide the original
evidence again (a test certificate or a degree certificate etc), even if a test
has now ‘expired’ (many test results have a 2 year validity). If you don’t have
an original document anymore then you’d have to meet a B1 level from the
beginning, such as to take another test.
For an individual
advice or to make an application please contact us: info@1st4immigration.com or visit www.1st4immigration.com
If you are an
Immigration Adviser or a Solicitor please visit our immigration Training and
CDP website: www.1st4immigration.com/training