Clarification on English Language requirements for Citizenship from Home Office

NATECLA have been seeking urgent clarification regarding the changes to testing for settlement and nationality announced by the Home Office which have been causing much confusion and uncertainty to ESOL providers and learners.

We have received information from the Home Office today which clarifies the situation for those learners who are currently studying for OFQUAL or SQA regulated ESOL qualifications. This confirms that applicants will be able to use these qualifications in their application for settlement and naturalisation, even if they are taken after 6th April. From November, settlement and naturalisation applicants will need to take a SELT test at a SELT test centre and other ESOL qualifications will not be accepted.

NATECLA has serious concerns at the way these changes have been introduced, particularly with regard to the lack of consultation beforehand and the lack of clarity with which it has been communicated. We would urge the Home Office to ensure that its website information is amended as soon as possible to make the information we have received clear to all who access it.

The following information has been provided by the Home Office to NATECLA and South & City College Birmingham

 Currently, there are two different systems for demonstrating English language through an English language qualification:
 

• Limited leave – applicants  have  always been required to have a Secure English Language Test (SELT).  The list of SELT providers changed in April and from April 6, to be used as a SELT for immigration purposes, the test must be taken at a SELT test centres.  There are transitional arrangements in place for people who took a qualification from the old SELT list before April 6.
• Settlement and Naturalisation – applicants can either use a SELT or an ESOL qualification regulated by OFQUAL or SQA.  These provisions therefore enable applicants for settlement or naturalisation to rely on all the ESOL Skills for Life qualifications and ESOL International qualifications,  whether or not those qualifications are on the SELT list. 

In March we gave advance notice that the arrangements for settlement and naturalisation will change from November, but not until November.  (The exact date will be announced as soon as the Parliamentary time table is clear after the Election.)  From November, settlement and naturalisation applicants will need to take a SELT test at a SELT test centre.  We will no longer accept other ESOL qualifications after November.   But until November, applicants can continue to use OFQUAL or SQA regulated ESOL qualifications, even if they were taken after 6 April.  This eight  month notice period gives an opportunity to those currently studying to finish their course and use the qualification obtained and gives advance notice of the likely requirements for those planning future study. 
 

Ann Robertson
Home Office
Permanent Migration Team