About Knowledge of Language and Life
There are two parts to the Knowledge of Language and Life requirement, both of which you must meet to naturalise as a British citizen, unless you are exempt.
You'll be required to pass the 'Life in the UK' Test (known in Jersey as the Citizenship Test) and meet the language requirement.
Citizenship Test
For more information on how to book this test visit the Highlands College website. You can find out more about the citizenship test below.
Highlands College website
Citizenship test (indefinitive leave to remain or British citizenship)
English language requirement
You'll meet the English language requirement in one of the following ways:
1. Possess a qualification or have passed a test at level B1, B2, C1 or C2 in listening and speaking as specified on Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT) on GOV.UK
English language testing for naturalisation applications are offered in Jersey by UK Government approved Secure English Language Test providers, IELTS SELT Consortium (ISC) and Pearson. For further details of when and where the English language tests for naturalisation purposes are conducted, visit the IELTS UKVI Registration (britishcouncil.org) or PTE Home B1 UK test | Pearson PTE webpages.
2. possess an academic qualification deemed by ECCTIS (UK ENIC) to meet the recognised standard of a Bachelor's or Master's degree or PhD in the United Kingdom and:
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ECCTIS (UK ENIC) has confirmed that the qualification was taught or, as the case may be, researched in English; or
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the qualification was taught or, as the case may be, researched in any of the following English speaking countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, St Christopher and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA); or
3. satisfying the Secretary of State when making a successful application for indefinite leave to remain within the meaning of section 33(1) of the Immigration Act 1971 that you possessed a qualification or had passed a test in English at a level equivalent to Level B1 or above on the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment; or
4. being a national of the following English speaking countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, St Christopher and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA.
Applicants who already hold English language qualifications are advised to contact the Casework section for further information and advice on +44 (0) 1534 447979.
Email Immigration Office
People who are exempt from the Knowledge of Language and Life Tests
Certain categories of people do not need to prove knowledge of language and life in the UK.
Age
If you are under 18 or 65 and over, you do not need to meet the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement. When you apply, you should produce your passport or birth certificate as evidence of your age.
Disabilities
If you have a long-term, permanent disability that prevents you from learning English, you may not have to meet the requirements. You must:
- be suffering from a long-term illness or disability that severely restricts your mobility and ability to attend language classes
- have a mental impairment that means you are unable to learn another language
When you apply, you should provide evidence from a medical practitioner confirming your disability.
If you need special arrangements to learn English or take the test, you still have to meet the requirements.
gov.je