English language

This page explains the points we award for English language skills under the skilled worker category (Tier 2 General) of the points-based system to work in the United Kingdom.

You must have a minimum level of English language and score 10 points in this section, or your application will be refused.

Full details of these requirements are in the immigration rules at paragraph 245ZB - 245ZH of part 6a, which you can find on the right side of this page. You must read the policy guidance before you apply under this category. You can download the guidance and application form from the Applying section.

How points are awarded for English language

You must have 10 points for English language.

English is the official language of the United Kingdom, and you must be able to speak English to a certain level, which includes being able to understand and use everyday expressions and very basic phrases. It is closest to level A1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference.

There are three ways that you can score points for English language. You can:

• be a national of a majority English speaking country; or
• pass an English language test on our list of approved English language tests (PDF 44K opens in new window); or
• hold a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to a United Kingdom bachelor's degree or above.

You can also meet the English language requirement and score points without having to send further evidence if:

• you have been given permission to stay in the past under the highly skilled worker or entrepreneur categories of tier 1; or
• you were given permission to stay under the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme after 7 November 2006;
• you were given permission to stay in the past under tier 2 (and have already given us your evidence that you meet the English language requirement) and are applying to extend your stay;
• you are applying under the transitional arrangements;
• you are applying because you have changed jobs and:
  • have already given us your evidence that you meet the English language requirement under tier 2; or
  • you have been given permission to stay in the past as a minister of religion on or after 23 August 2004.

Transitional arrangements for those under the work permit arrangements

If you currently have permission to stay under the work permit arrangements and want to change job you must meet the English language requirement. We know that you may be unable to give evidence that you meet the English language requirements if you apply close to the date that tier 2 launches.

If you are a senior care worker, you are allowed to change your employer and do not have to meet the English language requirement. If you want to change your job, you cannot apply under the transitional arrangements.

We will allow you to send evidence of passing an English language test for 10 weeks after the date tier 2 launches. You must send one of the pieces of evidence we ask for. If you do not send the right evidence, your application will be refused.

See the information below about waiting to sit a test or waiting on your test result.

If you are a national of a majority English speaking country

You must have 10 points for English language. These will be awarded if you are a national of a majority English language speaking country listed below:

• 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.

If you have passed an English language test

You must have 10 points for English language. These will be awarded if you pass a test on our list of approved English language tests (PDF 44K opens in new window). Only test certificates from providers on this list will be accepted.

If you have disabilities (for example, hearing difficulties) you are not exempt from the English language requirement. You should contact a test provider for details of support you can receive while sitting the test.

If you are waiting to take an English language test or waiting for your test result

If you applying to extend your stay under tier 2, you may need to send your application before you have taken, or received the results of a test.

For those applications only, you must give us the date of your English language test within 10 working days of submitting the application.

Once you have sat the test and received the results you must provide the certificate within five working days. You should send it to:

UK Border Agency
PO Box 3468
Sheffield
S3 8WA

If you give confirmation from the test provider that you have taken a test or have a confirmed date to take the test we will continue to hold the application open. We will finish assessing the application when you then send an English language test certificate.

If you do not pass the test on the first attempt, the application will not be held open to allow for later attempts to be made. We will finish considering the application on this basis, and your application will be refused.

If you have a degree taught in English

You must have 10 points for English language. These will be awarded if you have a degree which is the same as a United Kingdom bachelor's level or above and which was taught or researched in English to a particular level. This is seen as proof of your English language ability.

The qualification must:

• be recognised by National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom (UK NARIC) as equivalent to at least a United Kingdom bachelor's degree; and
• have been taught in English.

We assume that a degree was taken in a majority English speaking country listed below will have been taught in English:

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

Canada is not on this list.

If the degree was taken in another country, we assess your qualification using the points-based calculator, which you can find on the right of this page. The calculator contains information on whether overseas qualifications are the same as a United Kingdom bachelor's level or higher provided by UK NARIC.

You can claim points if the points-based calculator confirms that:

• your degree is the same level as a United Kingdom bachelor's degree; and
• the degree was taught to a competent standard of English equivalent to level C1 on the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR).

Checking qualifications

You should check your qualification by using the points-based calculator, which you can find on the right of this page.

If you cannot find your qualification, you can contact UK NARIC, who you can find on the right of this page, and ask them to confirm the level of your qualification in a letter. But they can only confirm your qualification is the same as a United Kingdom bachelor's degree level or above, and not that the degree was taught in English.

If you cannot find your qualification on the points-based calculator, you must send a letter with your application from your university confirming your degree was taught in English.

UK National Agency (UK NARIC) is responsible for providing information and opinion on vocational, academic and professional qualifications from over 180 countries worldwide.  The National Agency is managed on behalf of the United Kingdom Government and is the only official source of information on wide-ranging international qualifications and skills attained from outside the United Kingdom.  They compare qualifications from overseas with the United Kingdom and provide information on qualifications and education systems outside the United Kingdom.