British Nationality: Assessments
Home Department

Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston, Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the statement of 11 June 2012, Official Report, column 48, on family migration, whether applicants who successfully meet the English language requirements and pass the Life in the UK test prior to 9 July 2012, but who experience delays on the part of the awarding organisations with the issuing of the necessary certification, will be admitted under the rules in place prior to 9 July 2012 if the certification is not received until after that date.

Damian Green (Minister of State (Immigration), Home Office; Ashford, Conservative)

Applicants for limited leave to enter or remain in the UK as a spouse or partner must provide evidence that they have attained the relevant language qualification. If there is a delay in receiving a certificate, UK Border Agency may be able to accept a transcript from the exam board. However, if it cannot be established that the person has met the relevant requirement, the application cannot be granted. Applications received on or after 9 July will be dealt with under the new family migration rules described in the statement of 11 June.

Changes to the Life in the UK Test, which is required for those seeking indefinite leave to remain in the UK, will not take place until later this year. From October 2013, applicants for indefinite leave will be required to pass the revised Life in the UK test and obtain an intermediate level speaking and listening qualification in English (i.e. at level B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages).