Before we issue a work permit, your employee must be able to show that they can read, write, speak and understand English. In some cases, certain people may be exempt from this requirement.
People exempt from the language requirement
Some people are exempt from the English language requirement if they are:
- work permits issued to intra-company transferees
- temporary agriculture, construction, hospitality and fishing industry workers
- short term work permit holders of up to 12 months. If the permit is extended past 12 months, the person must meet the language requirement
Meeting the language requirement
To meet the English language requirement your employee must meet 1 of the following:
- have passed an English language test as described below
- be a national of 1 of the countries listed below
- have a degree from 1 of the countries listed below
- have a recognised academic qualification as detailed below
English language test
If your prospective employee has passed a Secure English Language Test (SELT) that incorporates reading, writing, listening and speaking components then evidence of this must be provided.
The SELT must be approved by the Home Office and passed to a minimum level of B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) or for sports persons and coaches a minimum level of A1.
IELTS for UKVI Academic and General Training tests cover the four components (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) required for skilled work permit applications. The employee will be require a minimum score of 4.0 (B1) overall and in each of the four components.
For a list of approved English language test providers check UK Visas and immigration on GOV.UK. Highlands College and the Guernsey College of further education offer approved language tests in the Channel Islands.
Highlands College
Guernsey College of further education
Approved English tests on GOV.UK
Nationals of certain countries
Your employee meet the English language requirement if they are a national of:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
Degrees from majority English speaking countries
If your employee
have a degree
from 1 of the following countries, they will meet the English language by providing:
- their degree certificate
- an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) from ECCTIS (UK ENIC) confirming the qualification is equivalent to a Bachelors or Master's degree or PhD in the UK
Countries included (Canada is not on this list):
- 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
Other academic qualifications
If your employee has a degree that was taught or researched in English in a non-majority English speaking country, they will meet the English language requirement by providing the following:
- their degree certificate
- an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) from ECCTIS (UK ENIC) confirming the qualification is equivalent to a Bachelors or Master's degree or PhD in the UK
- an English Language Proficiency Statement (ELPS) from ECCTIS (UK ENIC), which will confirm that the degree was taught in English
When applying for ECCTIS (UK ENIC) statements follow the "red route" to "visas and nationality".
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