Requirement guide · reviewed 17 August 2026
ILR English language requirement
English evidence can be part of the knowledge of language and life requirement for settlement. Check whether your ILR route requires proof, whether an exemption applies, and whether your test or degree is accepted. A Life in the UK pass is separate evidence; it does not itself demonstrate English.
Current position and the B1/B2 distinction
GOV.UK’s current “Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship and settling” guidance says that English can be proved with a qualification at B1, B2, C1 or C2, or with a degree taught or researched in English. That is a list of possible evidence levels, not a promise that every route accepts every certificate. The application route, Immigration Rules, approved-provider list and transitional provisions decide what is acceptable in an individual case.
Current status: follow the level and evidence route in the live official guidance and your settlement application. Future status: a confirmed B2 threshold must be read for its start date, covered routes and transitional arrangements. Until it applies to your application, B2 is not universally required. Recheck before booking and submission.
Evidence routes to assess
| Route | What to verify | Typical records to retain |
|---|---|---|
| Approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) | Correct level; approved provider, test type and location; and whether the result is still usable. | Certificate or online result access, booking confirmation and reference number. |
| UK degree taught or researched in English | It is an academic degree, awarded by a UK institution, and meets the current guidance. | Degree certificate; if unavailable, an official transcript or qualifying university letter. |
| Overseas degree taught in English | Ecctis confirmation of UK bachelor’s-equivalence or higher and English teaching, where GOV.UK requires it. | Degree certificate and Ecctis code/certificate. |
| Previously accepted English evidence | The current rules permit reuse for settlement and the qualification meets the specific reuse conditions. | Old certificate and evidence of the earlier immigration application. |
| Exemption | The exact exemption applies to your route and you can give the evidence requested. | Passport/nationality evidence or the prescribed medical material, as relevant. |
For a test route, GOV.UK says the test must be an approved SELT and that you need a certificate or access to results online. It also warns that ordinary ESOL qualifications are not enough unless they appear on the approved SELT list; GCSEs, A levels and NVQs are examples it says cannot be used for this purpose. Check the current provider list before paying, not after receiving a certificate.
Exemptions and approved proof
The official exemptions guidance currently includes people aged 65 or over and people unable to prove English because of a long-term physical or mental condition. The latter requires a completed doctor’s exemption form and original current relevant medical reports. Nationality exemptions apply only to the countries and territories named in the guidance; English being widely spoken elsewhere is not enough. GOV.UK also lists specified work-route, protection, bereavement, domestic-abuse and other settlement exemptions.
Check that your current visa type and facts match the official wording. An exemption must be evidenced correctly; it is not a reason to leave the relevant question blank.
Booking and evidence checklist
- Identify the exact ILR route and intended submission date. Read its current form, guidance and Immigration Rules.
- Decide whether you need proof or fall within an exemption. If uncertain, seek regulated immigration advice before spending money.
- For a SELT, use the official GOV.UK test guidance to confirm provider, level and usable result conditions, then book early enough for a retake.
- For a degree, obtain the certificate and, if needed, transcript, university letter or Ecctis assessment before you start the application.
- Save clear copies and the relevant references. Enter names and dates consistently with your passport and immigration history, then provide the evidence the online form asks for.
Worked scenarios
Expired B1 SELT, settlement application: Omar passed a B1 SELT when he applied for earlier leave. GOV.UK says a B1–C2 test qualification that has run out may be usable for settlement if it is on the current recognised list and was accepted for another UK immigration application. He checks both conditions, retains the earlier evidence and avoids booking a duplicate test until the route form confirms what to submit.
B2 announcement in the news: Ahmed plans to apply next month and sees a report about B2. He does not treat it as an immediate rule. He checks GOV.UK and the current Immigration Rules for commencement wording applicable to his route. If no such change is in force for his application, he follows the current requirement; if it is in force, he follows the confirmed transition rules.
Mistakes that cause avoidable trouble
- Taking a non-approved English course or test and assuming the certificate will be accepted.
- Assuming a previous visa test can always be reused without checking the current recognised-list condition.
- Confusing a degree taught in English with a vocational qualification or omitting an Ecctis assessment for an overseas degree.
- Using an exemption based on nationality or a medical condition without the prescribed proof.
- Calling a proposed B2 policy “current law” before its official commencement applies.
- Assuming the Life in the UK Test replaces English evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need B2 for ILR now?
Use the current route-specific official materials. This page does not treat a future or proposed B2 change as already effective. GOV.UK’s general page currently lists B1, B2, C1 and C2 among qualification levels, but your route determines the evidence you need.
Can I use a degree instead of a SELT?
Possibly. GOV.UK permits qualifying academic degrees taught or researched in English, with different proof for UK and overseas awards. Read the official degree guidance before relying on it.
Where do I check the official sources?
Start with GOV.UK English proof guidance, its exemptions page, the application route instructions and the Immigration Rules. See also our Life in the UK Test guide.
Last reviewed: 17 August 2026. General planning information, not legal advice. GOV.UK and the Immigration Rules prevail if they differ from this page.