United Kingdom: New English Language Requirement for Spousal Visa Applicants

United Kingdom

Foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland who are applying to enter or remain in the UK as the spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner of a British citizen, UK permanent resident or a holder of some form of settled status in the UK will need to pass an English language test starting November 29, 2010, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has announced.

Applicants will need to demonstrate a basic command of English and be able to understand and use simple everyday expressions and very basic phrases. Foreign nationals from the following majority English-speaking countries are exempt from the test, however:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United States of America

Note that the new requirement applies only to individuals applying for immigration status as the spouse or partner of a British citizen, permanent resident, or individual with settled status in the UK. It will not apply to the spouses or partners of principal foreign nationals with temporary status in the UK, such as those of Tier 1 or Tier 2 migrants under the Points-Based System

Source: Fragomen