Due to the recent Government announcement relating to upcoming changes to the Skilled Worker Visa, please note this webpage is under review

Meeting the English language requirements

In addition to the other mandatory criteria, in order to be eligible for a Skilled Worker visa you must meet the English language requirement at Level B1 (AS-Level or equivalent).

You can demonstrate that you meet the English language requirement if you meet one of the following criteria:

You are a national from one of the following majority English speaking countries

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, United States of America.

You have an academic degree taught in English

You must have one of the following:

• a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctorate awarded in the UK
• a degree or degree-level qualification taught in a university or college in a majority English-speaking country listed above (except Canada), or Ireland, which meets or exceeds the recognised standard of a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctorate awarded in the UK
• a degree or degree level qualification which meets, or exceeds, the recognised standard of a UK bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctorate and was taught or researched in English

This must be proven by either:

• a certificate from the awarding body
• a transcript issued by the university or college that awarded the qualification
• an official letter from the university or college that awarded the qualification containing information equivalent to a degree certificate

If your qualification was awarded by a body from outside the UK, you'll need to show proof via confirmation from UK ENIC (formerly known as UK NARIC) that your qualification meets the requirements. The UK ENIC reference number must be provided to your HR Co-ordinator so that it can be included on your Certificate of Sponsorship.

You have passed a secure English language test

You will need to provide a valid digital reference number from an approved provider to your HR Co-ordinator showing you have passed an approved English language test to the required level in the two years before the date of application. The list of approved tests and providers can be found on the UK government website.

You have shown you meet the required level in a previous successful immigration application

If you met the requirement at the required level for your current application in a previous successful application for entry clearance or permission to stay.