ILR Do I need to reach B2 level in English? How to mark the application deadline in March 2027?

Home Office"HC 1691 Explanatory Memorandum" Section 5.62: "These changes will come into force on 26 March 2027."

As of September 13, 2026, the requirement for permanent residency to reach B2 level has been included in some immigration rules, with the effective date being March 26, 2027. Keeping it in the "pending consultation" section would delay preparation; stating that "everyone has already changed to take B2" is also inaccurate. Below is a walkthrough in the order of checking the route, setting the date, verifying evidence, and selecting the exam.

My judgment is: those who are definitely applying under the new category, who only have B1 and no other eligible certification methods, should start preparing for B2 now.

Check your permanent residency English requirements

Open the current "Immigration Rules", and find the route you are preparing to apply for. For the Skilled Worker visa main applicant, look at Appendix Skilled Worker SW 22A.1, and for dependents, look at SW 44.1; for ten years of lawful residence, look at Appendix Long Residence LR 13.1; the spouse's five-year route has been moved from Appendix FM E-ILRP.1.6 to Appendix KoLL. The relevant provisions clearly state the B2 arrangements, but the corresponding proof rules need to be checked further down. It is easy to mix up the entry, extension, and settlement stages by only looking at the brief description next to the visa name.

Each person in the same family also needs to be verified individually; the English materials of the main applicant cannot replace the requirements for the spouse; the family member provisions have their own applicable conditions.

"Starting from March 2027, all permanent residents will be unified to B2." This needs to be corrected. During proofreading, the current "Immigration Rules" Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas) HK 60.1 still states that speaking and listening skills should be at least B1, and does not include the above-mentioned B2 transition clause. BN(O) applicants should prepare according to this route, and check for any subsequent revisions before submission. The English certificate appendix applies to a specific route, but does not mean that the minimum level of that route is automatically changed; the level should be checked in the route's own text.

Put the submission date in the calendar

Taking ten years of legal residence as an example, LR 13.1 clearly distinguishes: applications submitted before March 26, 2027, are subject to Category B1, and applications submitted on or after that date are subject to Category B2, with exemptions determined separately.

If the application is submitted online normally, without any request for fee exemption, and does not involve changes to an existing application, the date of application is considered the day of online submission according to paragraph 34G(3) of the Immigration Rules. In practice, the submission confirmation and payment receipt should be kept, and subsequent identity verification should be completed as required. The existence of a form in the account draft or having registered for an English test cannot be used to determine that the application has been submitted. For the long-term residency provisions, a valid application that meets the criteria submitted before the deadline, and then biometrics are entered or a decision is received after the deadline, will not automatically switch to a lower English level merely because the processing crosses the deadline. Those preparing to apply at the last minute must separately confirm whether the required residence period and other qualifications have already been met. It is not advisable to submit an application that does not yet meet the qualifications just to retain a lower English level.

The passing date of the exam cannot lock the B1 level; if B1 is completed before the boundary and the application is made after the boundary, it still needs to be verified according to the new applicable requirements.

The explanatory memorandum paragraph 5.62 also explicitly covers those who have already obtained a permit in the UK and are on the path to settlement. Therefore, having a permit initially approved under B1 cannot, by itself, be used to argue that the B1 category should continue to apply during the settlement phase. After writing down the expected submission date, it is time to work backwards to prepare evidence and arrange study. If the date may still cross the boundary, I will include B2 preparation in the plan, not putting all hopes on a single submission just in time.

Rearrange the old materials to decide on the application

Put together the old grades, the English proficiency proof submitted at that time, and the approval records, and verify what level and method were actually used to meet the requirements that year.

Appendix English Language EL 3.1 of the "Immigration Rules" allows applicants to rely on records where they have already demonstrated the required level for a previous successful application for entry clearance or leave to remain. The key is the "required level for this application": proving B1 in the past does not automatically satisfy a new B2 requirement; if they have already demonstrated the level required for this application, it should be verified whether this provision can be used. When organizing documents, mark the corresponding application number and the evidence of English language proficiency together, to avoid leaving only a transcript without being able to clarify which successful application it relates to.

Those who meet the requirements for academic qualification certification or exemption should still prepare the corresponding documents according to the relevant provisions. The adjustment of the level itself does not make all applicants required to retake the examination.

一个容易漏读的细节在 Appendix KoLL 2.2(ba)：界线后依靠既往许可中的英语资格满足要求，相关许可须以至少B2的资格为基础；如果依靠更早的许可，其后的许可期间还须连续，考试提供方在申请时也须继续获认可。这条规定说明，“旧成绩能用吗”不能只看等级。走这一证明分支的人，要把许可衔接和提供方资格一并核对。

付款前核对考试名称和科目

确实需要考试，再查UKVI认可的SELT，即安全英语语言测试。报名页面仅写“B2课程”或“英语测评”，不足以说明结果能用于申请。

科目这里有一处必须说明的文件差异：现行技术工签规则SW 22A.1写的是听说达到B2，但Home Office《Skilled Worker caseworker guidance》第22.2节写的是听说读写四项。这两处文字不一致。技术工签申请人在付费选考试前，应把对应条文和指引一并交由持牌律师核对，并检查后续更新。十年合法长居LR 13.1则明确写听说，不能把工签指引中的四项表述直接套到其他路线。

When checking the list of recognized examinations, it is necessary to match specific exams, levels, and test centers; other courses or examinations provided by the same institution will not automatically be recognized.

When taking the English test for the new certificate, Appendix English Language EL 6.1 requires that the recognized test be passed within two years prior to the application and that all level requirements for the relevant route are met. The UKVI's SELT guidance also requires verifying the results using the unique reference number of the test. After receiving the results, check the name, level, subject taken, and the number, and keep a complete record. If you plan to use a proof branch from a previous successful application, you should assess its conditions separately to avoid mechanically applying the new test's time requirements to all old materials.

[Data source] Home Office "HC 1691 Explanatory Memorandum"; the provisions listed in the current "Immigration Rules" and "Skilled Worker Caseworker Guidance"; UKVI "SELT Test Guidance".

This document is for reference only. For specific issues, please consult a licensed attorney.

Complete these three checks before submission

1. Write down the application routes for yourself and your family members, the English terms, and the expected submission dates, indicating whether the March 26, 2027, transition requirements apply.
2. Select the English certification method. If using old materials, verify the level and previous application basis; if a new exam is required, arrange study according to the target level, confirm the recognized exams and subjects, and leave time to obtain results and handle material issues.
3. Double-check the articles and examination list before formal submission, verify each score code and personal information, and save the application submission confirmation.

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