Legally Speaking | Knowledge of Language and Life requirement for settlement in the UK

As the implementation date of the new Knowledge of Language and Life requirement for settlement in the UK looms closer, BIC are getting numerous queries about the issue from clients.

The facts are as follows;

From 28 October 2013, all applicants for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) in the UK, as well as UK citizenship would be expected to fulfil two requirements, unless exempt;

• To pass the Life in the UK test; and
• To have an English speaking and listening qualification at the B1 Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

This is known as the KoLL requirement — Knowledge of Language and Life requirement.

Persons who are nationals of majority English speaking countries, and those who have obtained a degree taught in English will be required to take the Life in the UK test, but will not be required to take the English test. Note that South Africa is not reckoned to be an English speaking country.

Certain persons will be exempt from the KoLL requirement; including inter alia children under the age of 18, persons aged 65 years and older; persons with a physical or mental condition; persons on the adult dependent relative, and retired person of independent means migration routes; spouses of British citizens or persons settled in the UK who have been victims of domestic violence or whose spouse has died etc.

Please contact our offices for more information about your unique situation and specifically the different categories of exemption.

JP Breytenbach

Director of BIC, Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Limited.

www.bic-immigration.com or info@bic-immigration.com

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