I have lived there for a long enough time and have not exceeded the standard for leaving the country. However, I got stuck on an English certificate - this is the most common type of message in the background. Many people find out before submitting their permanent residence (ILR / Indefinite Leave to Remain): the original IELTS score when applying for the visa cannot be used directly for the permanent residence step.
Today, I will explain the English requirements for permanent residence (B1) in one go: what level must be passed, which exams are recognized by the Ministry of Interior, who can be directly exempted, and how to calculate the validity period of the certificate. After reading it, I feel confident.
What are the English requirements for permanent residence in the UK? What level is B1?
Most permanent residence paths (Skilled Worker, Spouse, Global Talent, 10-year long-term residence, etc.) must meet the KoLL (Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK) level. It has two parts: one is Life in the UK Test, and the other is English proficiency - B1 listening and speaking level under the CEFR standard.
Note one key point: for English for permanent residence and naturalization, only Speaking and Listening (speaking and listening) are tested, and reading and writing are not tested. B1 is the entry level for "independent users". It is enough to be able to have daily conversations on familiar topics and understand clear standard pronunciation. Academic-level English is not required.
The biggest misunderstanding of many people is that they think that the IELTS (Academic/UKVI IELTS) taken when applying for a work permit can be used all the way to permanent residence. cannot. Permanent residence must take the following set of special SELT tests.
What are the B1 exams recognized for permanent residence? SELT Checklist
English for permanent residence only recognizes SELT (Secure English Language Test, Secure English Language Test) , and it must be provided by an approved examination agency at an examination center approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.市面上随便一个英语证书都不算数。目前主流的 B1 SELT 有这几种：
📌 Trinity GESE Grade 5 (B1) - the best reputation and the most time-saving. The whole session only takes about 10 minutes of face-to-face speaking and listening, and the examiner is one-to-one, which is suitable for most people. Tested only at Trinity test centers within the UK.
📌 IELTS Life Skills B1 - Provided by the British Council and IDP, highly recognized globally, longer than Trinity, tested in pairs.
📌 LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 - Currently the only B1 SELT that you can take online (online proctoring) at your own home, which is very friendly to people who are inconvenient to go to the test center.
There are also institutions such as PTE Home B1 that are also on the SELT list. You can choose either . The key is to make sure that the exam you are applying for is the "UKVI SELT" version , and not the ordinary version of the exam with the same name - this is the hardest hit area.
In terms of fees, each company has slight differences and will adjust (for example, Trinity’s GESE speaking and listening test will be adjusted to about £160 from April 2026). Please refer to the current price announced on the official registration page. .
Who can be exempted from English language requirements for permanent residence? 4 common exemptions
Not everyone has to take the exam. If you meet the following circumstances, you can be exempted from taking the B1 exam when applying for permanent residence:
① Age exemption: is over 65 years old or under 18 years old when applying, and does not need to meet the English requirement.
② Nationality exemption: holds the nationality of an "English-speaking country" (such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Malta, Jamaica, the Bahamas and other countries on the Ministry of Interior's list), and is deemed to have met the standard. Citizens of Mainland China and Hong Kong are not included in this list.
③ Exemption for English-taught degrees: holds a degree taught or researched in English. British local degrees can usually be directly certified; overseas degrees require a confirmation letter from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) to prove the degree level, English teaching and correspondence with the British degree.
④ Health exemption: If you are unable to take the exam due to long-term physical or mental illness or disability, you can apply for exemption, but you need to provide supporting materials such as a medical certificate, which will be determined by the visa officer on a case-by-case basis.
There is also a rare but practical special channel: those who have held a restricted visa in the UK as a partner/parent/child for more than 15 years and hold an A2 level listening and speaking qualification do not need to go through the full KoLL under certain circumstances - the specific caliber is subject to the current Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines. It is recommended to consult a lawyer first.
Validity period of permanent residence English certificate: don’t step on these pitfalls
Pitfall 1: Don’t test your grades too early. In principle, the SELT score must be obtained within 2 years before submitting the permanent residence application. If you take the exam too early, the certificate will "expire" and you may have to retake the exam.
Pitfall 2 of : After permanent residence, naturalization can be reused. Good news - if you have successfully obtained permanent residence with B1 qualifications, you can directly use the original B1 when you apply for naturalization later. There is no need to retake the exam because it is "more than 2 years old", even if it is no longer on the latest SELT list. This can save a lot of money and trouble.
Pitfall 3: Don’t choose the wrong exam center. Most SELTs for permanent residence/naturalization purposes need to be completed at approved test centers in the UK. When registering, be sure to check whether it is for "settlement/citizenship".
Another reminder: The entry-level English threshold for some work visa routes has been raised in recent years (if there is a proposal to discuss raising it to B2), but , as far as "getting permanent residence" is concerned, the current hard requirement is still B1. I heard . Everything is subject to the latest announcement of GOV.UK.
If you are not sure which path is suitable for you and whether the certificate will expire, you can use 永居计算器APP to calculate the number of days and time line of residence to the nearest day to see clearly when you should make an appointment for the exam. If you are not sure about your exemption qualifications, you can also add our licensed lawyer on WeChat and ask before taking action.
This article is for reference only. Please consult a licensed attorney for specific questions.
💬 Let’s chat in the comment area: Which B1 (Trinity / IELTS / LanguageCert) do you plan to take, or does it meet a certain exemption? If you are stuck at the English level, please write down your visa type and questions, and we will try to get back to you.
📌 If you find it useful, collect this article , and read it again before the exam, so as not to find out that you used the wrong certificate when you are about to submit it.
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