ILR English Language Requirement: Which Level Do You Need?

Table Of Contents

1. What is the ILR English language requirement
2. Which level under the CEFR do you need for the ILR English language requirement
3. If you have a UK Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Tier 2 or T2 visa
4. If you have a UK Scale-up Worker visa
5. If you have a UK business, investor or talent visa
6. If you are applying for ILR as a partner or parent on the 5-year family route
7. If you are applying for ILR under the Appendix Settlement Family Life
8. Summary

ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) or settlement is a major milestone in your immigration journey. With ILR status, you get several rights, including the right to live and work in the UK indefinitely without immigration restrictions. Importantly, many UK visas, such as the family visa, skilled worker visa, and innovator founder visa, can lead to ILR. However, you must meet several ILR requirements, and one of those requirements is demonstrating English proficiency at the required CEFR level.

What is the ILR English language requirement?

The English language requirement for ILR means that, if you are applying to settle in the UK through an eligible route, you must show that you have a required CEFR level of English before you can be granted ILR. An eligible route for ILR means an immigration route that allows you to qualify for ILR if you meet the relevant requirements. For example:

• Skilled Worker visa

• Global Talent visa

• Innovator Founder visa

• Scale-up Worker visa

• UK Ancestry visa

• Long Residence

• Some family/private life settlement routes

The required level is measured using the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) – a system used internationally to describe how well a person can use a language.

Which level under the CEFR do you need for the ILR English language requirement?

Unless exempt (for example, because you are aged 65 or over or under 18, or you have a disability (physical or mental condition) that prevents you from meeting this requirement), you must fulfil the ILR English language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language. This means you must show your ability in speaking and listening English to at least CEFR Level B1 (Intermediate) if you apply for settlement before 26 March 2027.

Where your ILR application submission date is on or after 26 March 2027, you must, unless an exemption applies, show English language ability to at least CEFR level B2 in speaking and listening.

You can show that you fulfil the English language requirement for ILR in one of the following:

• Passing an approved English language test. 

• Having an eligible academic qualification 

• If you are a citizen of a specified majority English-speaking country.

Depending on the immigration route, you will need to meet the following CEFR level for your ILR application.

1. If you have a UK Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Tier 2 or T2 visa

If you have permission with a Skilled Worker visa, Health and Care Worker visa or Tier 2 (General) visa, T2 Minister of Religion visa or Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa, or International Sportsperson visa, T2 Sportsperson visa or Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa, you will not be required to prove you meet the ILR English language requirements. This is because you already met the English language requirement when you applied for your visa.

However, if your ILR application submission date is on or after 26 March 2027, you must, unless an exemption applies, show English language ability to at least CEFR level B2 in speaking and listening.

2. If you have a UK Scale-up Worker visa

If you are applying for ILR with a scale-up worker visa, you do not need to prove you meet the English language requirements. This is because you already met the English language requirement when you applied for your visa.

However, if your ILR application submission date is on or after 26 March 2027, you must, unless an exemption applies, show your ability in speaking and listening English to at least CEFR Level B2.

3. If you have a UK business, investor or talent visa

 If you are applying for ILR with a Global Talent visa or Tier 1 (Investor) visa, you must, unless an exemption applies, show your ability in speaking and listening English to at least CEFR Level B1where the date of your ILR application is before 26 March 2027; or

Where you will be applying for ILR on or after 26 March 2027, you must, unless an exemption applies, show your ability in speaking and listening English to at least CEFR Level B2.

4. If you are applying for ILR as a partner or parent on the 5-year family route

If you apply for ILR before 26 March 2027, you must, unless an exemption applies, show your ability in speaking and listening English to at least CEFR Level B1; or

If you apply for ILR on or after 26 March 2027, you must, unless an exemption applies, show your ability in speaking and listening in English to at least CEFR Level B2.

5. If you are applying for ILR under the Appendix Settlement Family Life

If you have permission in the UK as a partner/parent (or have had a combination of the two), and you are eligible for ILR after a qualifying 10-year period, you must, unless an exemption applies, show your ability in speaking and listening English to at least CEFR Level B1 where the date of your ILR application is before 26 March 2027; or

Where you will be applying for ILR on or after 26 March 2027, you must, unless an exemption applies, show your ability in speaking and listening English to at least CEFR Level B2.

Summary

The ILR English language requirement depends on the immigration route and the date you apply.

For many settlement routes, the required level before 26 March 2027 is CEFR level B1. However, the requirement will increase to level B2 under the CEFR for applications made on or after 26 March 2027. 

This means if you apply for ILR before 26 March 2027, the relevant routes generally require you to demonstrate English language ability at CEFR B1 level in speaking and listening, unless an exemption applies. 

However, if you apply for ILR on or after 26 March 2027, the required level will increase to CEFR level B2 in speaking and listening for routes affected by the changes.

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