Is your English good enough to stay in the UK? The government is raising the bar this week – and thousands of workers may need to retake their tests
The government is significantly raising the English language requirement for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), and thousands of workers who passed a lower-level test years ago could be forced to sit exams again.
According to immigration specialists at law firm Travers Smith, from 26 March 2027, applicants for settlement under the Skilled Worker route will need to demonstrate B2-level English (upper-intermediate) in speaking and listening under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This is a clear step up from the previous B1 (intermediate) standard.
The change, confirmed in the government’s Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules (HC 1691), extends to routes including Scale-up, Innovator Founder, International Sportsperson, Representative of an Overseas Business and UK Ancestry – for both initial applications in some cases and settlement across the board.
Who is affected – and why they may need to retake tests
The biggest group impacted will be the many thousands of Skilled Worker visa holders who entered the UK before January 2026. At that time, B1 English was enough to secure the visa.
Now, when they apply for settlement after five years, they will generally need fresh evidence of B2 proficiency via an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT), taken no more than two years before the application date.
“Applicants originally granted initial visas based on a B1 English test or a degree taught in English at B1 level may need to re-take an approved B2 test before applying for settlement,” Travers Smith said.
Exemptions still apply for certain nationalities, UK graduates and others, but most professionals from non-English-speaking countries will need to act.
Approved tests typically cost £150–£250 and require booking at a secure test centre.
The business impact
For UK employers sponsoring international talent – especially in tech, finance, healthcare and engineering – this creates a new layer of workforce-planning risk.
Staff who have been contributing for years could face delays or extra costs just as they become eligible for permanent residency, potentially affecting retention and morale.
The firm advises that sponsored employees and migrants should begin preparing for potential re-testing at the higher B2 level before settlement applications are submitted from 26 March 2027.
Companies may want to consider offering language support or training to help valued staff meet the new standard.
More changes coming
The English-language hike is the latest in a series of reforms aimed at ensuring better integration for long-term migrants.
It follows the January 2026 increase in the entry requirement for new Skilled Worker visas to B2 and aligns with the government’s broader push to raise standards for permanent settlement.
From 8 April 2026, sponsors of Skilled Worker visas must ensure the salary paid in every pay period meets or exceeds the amount on the Certificate of Sponsorship. UK Visas & Immigration will check monthly-paid staff over any three months, with non-compliance risking enforcement action.
Digital eVisas have also replaced paper vignettes for most routes since February 2026, requiring workers to maintain a UKVI account for status sharing.
