ILR English Language Requirements 2026

English language requirement for ILR: overview

Most people applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK must demonstrate English language ability as part of their application. The English requirement is not optional and the Home Office will reject an application that does not include valid English language evidence, unless you qualify for an exemption.

For the most common work routes, including the Skilled Worker visa and the Health and Care Worker visa, the required level is CEFR B1 (intermediate English). This is the same level required when you were first granted your work visa, which means most applicants have already satisfied the English requirement long before they reach the indefinite leave to remain stage.

For family routes, the English requirement increases progressively. A spouse or partner must demonstrate A1 (basic English) at the initial visa stage, A2 at the extension stage, and B1 at the indefinite leave to remain stage. This stepping-up approach is designed to encourage English language development over the course of the visa.

The good news is straightforward: if you passed an approved English test when your visa was last granted or extended, you have almost certainly already met the English requirement for indefinite leave to remain. You do not need to retake the test. You simply need to reference the same evidence in your ILR application.

What level of English is required for ILR?

The required English level for indefinite leave to remain depends on the visa route you are on. The table below shows the requirements for the most common routes:

CEFR B1 is intermediate level. At B1, you can hold a conversation on familiar topics, understand clear spoken and written English, and produce basic written text. It is not an advanced level. You do not need to pass an academic exam or demonstrate professional English proficiency. B1 is roughly equivalent to the level of English needed to follow everyday conversations and written information in the UK.

It is important to note that B1 is not the same as B2 or C1. Some applicants worry unnecessarily because they confuse B1 with higher English levels. For the vast majority of indefinite leave to remain applicants on work routes, B1 is the threshold and nothing more is required.

Approved English tests for ILR

If you do need to take an English test for your indefinite leave to remain application, it must be a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a Home Office approved provider. Not all English language tests are accepted. General academic English exams, employer-issued certificates, and school qualifications do not count as approved evidence for indefinite leave to remain, unless they fall into a specific exemption category.

The currently approved SELT providers for indefinite leave to remain applications are:

• IELTS Life Skills (Trinity College London / IDP) -- the most widely used SELT for UK immigration purposes
• LanguageCert International ESOL SELT -- available online and at test centres
• Pearson PTE Academic UKVI -- a computer-based test available at Pearson centres
• PSI Services -- available at approved PSI test centres
• Trinity College London GESE (Graded Examinations in Spoken English) -- focuses on speaking and listening

Each provider offers a B1 level test that meets the indefinite leave to remain English requirement. The test format varies between providers: some test all four skills (speaking, listening, reading, writing) while others focus on speaking and listening only. For indefinite leave to remain purposes, you typically need to demonstrate B1 in speaking and listening at minimum.

Cost and validity

SELT tests typically cost between £150 and £200 depending on the provider and test format. Certificates are valid for 2 years from the test date. If your certificate has expired but was used for a previous successful visa application, it may still count for indefinite leave to remain (see the next section for more on this).

Always book through the official provider website and check that the test you are booking is the UKVI or SELT version. Standard academic versions of these tests are not accepted for indefinite leave to remain applications.

If you already met the English requirement for your visa

For most people applying for indefinite leave to remain, this section is the most important one: you probably do not need to take a new English test.

The Home Office operates a principle of continuity for the English requirement. If you demonstrated English language ability at the point your visa was granted or most recently extended, you have already satisfied the requirement for indefinite leave to remain. The logic is that you could not have been granted a Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, or similar visa without passing the English test, so the requirement is considered met.

This means:

• If you took an approved SELT test to get your Skilled Worker visa, you do not need to retake it for your indefinite leave to remain application, even if the certificate has since expired.
• You reference the same English evidence in your ILR application, including the test name, date, reference number, and the level achieved.
• You should keep a copy of your English test certificate even after it expires, as you will need to quote the details in your indefinite leave to remain application.

To confirm which English evidence was accepted for your visa, check your visa approval letter from UKVI. It will usually list the documents and evidence that were accepted, including the English language test. If you no longer have this letter, you can request a copy of your application decision from the Home Office.

If there is any doubt, contact UKVI or an immigration adviser before booking a new SELT test. Paying £150-200 for an English test you do not need is an unnecessary expense.

Exemptions from the English test

Certain categories of applicant are completely exempt from the English language requirement for indefinite leave to remain. If you fall into one of these categories, you do not need to provide any English language evidence at all.

Nationals of majority English-speaking countries

If you are a national of a country where English is the majority language, you are automatically exempt. The Home Office maintains an official list of majority English-speaking countries, which includes:

• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Ireland
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Malta
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago

Always verify the current list on GOV.UK before your application, as it may be updated.

Aged 65 or over

Applicants who are 65 years old or older at the time of their indefinite leave to remain application are exempt from the English language requirement.

Physical or mental condition

If you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the English language requirement, you may be exempt. You will need to provide medical evidence from a qualified professional confirming that the condition prevents you from demonstrating the required level of English.

Degree-level qualification taught in English

This is a particularly important exemption for many work route applicants. If you hold a degree-level qualification that was taught in English from a recognised institution in the UK or a majority English-speaking country, you are exempt from the English test requirement.

Many Skilled Worker visa holders who studied in the UK qualify via this route. If you have a UK bachelor's degree, master's degree, or PhD, you can claim the exemption and provide your degree certificate as English language evidence. You do not need to retake a SELT test.

For degrees from institutions outside the UK and outside majority English-speaking countries, the position is more complex. You may need to provide a letter from the institution confirming that the course was taught and assessed in English.

B1 vs B2: what is the difference for ILR?

A common source of confusion among indefinite leave to remain applicants is the difference between B1 and B2 English levels. Some people incorrectly believe that B2 is required for ILR. This is not the case for most routes.

Here is the key distinction:

• B1 (intermediate): This is the level required for indefinite leave to remain on most work routes (Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, Global Talent) and at the ILR stage on family routes. It is the same level required for the Skilled Worker visa itself.
• B2 (upper intermediate): This is a higher level. It is relevant in the context of the proposed Earned Settlement reforms, where a B2 level may be required as part of the new points-based assessment. B2 is also relevant for certain English tests taken for academic purposes.

For current indefinite leave to remain applications under the existing rules, B1 is sufficient for work routes. If you are worried that your English level is not high enough, you almost certainly do not need to be. The B1 requirement is designed to confirm basic communicative English ability, not academic or professional fluency.

For a detailed comparison of B1 and B2 requirements in the context of future rule changes and citizenship, see our guide: B2 English for ILR 2026.

How ILR Tracker helps

The English language requirement is one of several boxes you need to tick before your indefinite leave to remain application is ready to submit. ILR Tracker helps you track all of them in one place.

Document checklist with English language tracking

The ILR Document Checklist includes English language evidence as a tracked item. You can mark whether you have your SELT certificate, degree certificate, or nationality-based exemption documented, and the checklist will show you exactly what is still outstanding. You will not accidentally forget to include English language evidence when you submit your application.

Eligibility calculator with all requirements

The ILR Eligibility Calculator helps you assess where you stand across all indefinite leave to remain requirements, not just English. Enter your visa start date, route, and key details to see a clear overview of your eligibility status, including whether you are likely to need a new English test or whether your prior evidence should suffice.

Free tools to get started

You do not need an account to try ILR Tracker's free tools. Start with the tools most relevant to your situation:

• ILR Eligibility Calculator -- check whether you meet all the requirements for indefinite leave to remain, including English language
• ILR Document Checklist -- track all your documents, including English language evidence, so nothing is missing when you apply

Understanding the English language requirement for indefinite leave to remain is one step towards a successful application. For most Skilled Worker and work route applicants, the English requirement was met years ago and requires nothing more than locating your original test certificate. If you are unsure, the safest approach is to check your visa approval documentation and, if needed, seek advice from an immigration professional before your application date.