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You may need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply.

When you do not need to prove it

You do not need to prove your knowledge of English or take a test if one of the following is true:

• you鈥檙e applying as a child
• you鈥檙e applying as an adult coming to be cared for by a relative
• you鈥檝e been in the UK on a family visa for 5 years and you鈥檙e extending it as a partner or parent
• you鈥檙e over 65
• you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement

You also will not need to prove your knowledge of English if you鈥檙e a national of one of the following countries or territories:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• the British overseas territories
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA

How to prove your knowledge of English

You can prove it with an academic qualification, or by taking a test.

Academic qualifications

You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree or academic qualification that was taught or researched in English.

If your qualification is from a UK university or college, you only need your degree certificate.

If your qualification is from a university or college outside the UK

You鈥檒l need to provide a certificate from to show that your qualification is equivalent to a UK bachelor鈥檚 degree or higher and that it was taught in English.

There are 2 kinds of certificate:

• a statement of comparability
• a visa and nationality statement

You need a if you got your qualification from a university or college in one of these countries:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• the Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Ireland
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA

If you got your qualification from a university or college in any other country, you need a .

Take an approved English language test

You can prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test.

You must pass at least level A1 on the for your first visa application. You can choose to take a higher level test.

If you pass level B1 or higher, you can use your test result again when you apply for settlement after 5 years. Your test still needs to be on the approved list of qualifications and your test certificate must not have been withdrawn by the test provider.

Applying to extend your visa after 2.5 years

You may have to pass a higher CEFR level if you want to stay in the UK after 2.5 years. What you need to do depends on what CEFR level you passed for your first visa.

If you passed:

• level A1, you鈥檒l need to pass at least level A2 in speaking and listening
• level A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2, you can use the test result again for your application as long as your test certificate has not been withdrawn by the test provider

If you were given an exemption, you鈥檒l need to pass a test at level A1.

Read the English language requirement: family members guidance.