According to new regulations, Non-European migrants joining a British citizen or non-European national settled in the UK will have to demonstrate a basic command of English as part of the visa application process unless they are a national of a majority English speaking country. The new language requirement will apply to spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners, same sex partners, fiancé(e)s and proposed civil partners and will be compulsory for people applying from within the UK, as well as visa applicants overseas.
The English language tests will be compulsory for these migrants from 29 November 2010.
You can find the list of approved tests and providers from UKBA website.
The minimum standard that applicants will need to meet is in speaking and listening at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. Migrant spouses and partners will have to demonstrate English language ability at A1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference (speaking and listening), the same level required for skilled workers admitted under the skilled Tier of the Points Based System. Applicants will be required to provide evidence with their application that they have passed an acceptable English test with one of the UK Border Agency’s approved test providers.
CIELT for partners/spouses, conducted by College of Excellence, has been assessed as meeting the UK Border Agency Standards and will be accepted as evidence that the applicant meets these requirements.
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