Immigration language requirements and citizenship test

​​​Depending on the immigration permission an applicant is applying for they may be required to prove that they meet the knowledge of language and life requirements.

Some applications require the applicant to meet just the language requirement however, for indefinite leave to remain and citizenship the applicant must prove that they meet the language requirement and have passed the citizenship test.

Knowledge of Language

An applicant will meet the English language requirement in one of the following ways:

• be a national of a majority English speaking country (Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA)
• hold a degree taught in the UK or a majority English speaking country (excluding Canada)
  
• have obtained a foreign academic qualification (not a professional or vocational qualification) deemed by the ECCTIS (UK ENIC) for the UK to meet the recognised standard of a bachelor's or master's degree or PhD in the UK, which was taught or researched in English
• pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to the required level of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR): A1 (lowest), A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 (highest)
  

Verifying your degree

If an applicant has a degree that was taught or researched in English in a non-majority English speaking country, they may meet the English language requirement by providing all the following evidence with their application:

• their degree certificate
• an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) from ECCTIS (UK ENIC) confirming the qualification is equivalent to a bachelor's or master's degree or PhD in the UK
• an English Language Proficiency Statement (ELPS) from ECCTIS (UK ENIC), which will confirm that the degree was taught in English

When applying for ECCTIS (UK ENIC) statements follow the "red route" to "visas and nationality".

English langu​​age tests

For a list of approved English language test centres and approved English language tests refer to Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT).

For English language test in Jersey you need to use either the test providers webpages to book or register your interest:

• PTE Academic UKVI | Pearson PTE
  
• IELTS UKVI Registration on the British Council website
  

Other routes not covered in the above list may require the applicant to meet the language and life, if the applicant is unsure then they should email immigration@gov.je.

Where an applicant in an initial application for leave to enter or remain met the English language requirement on the basis of passing an English language test to level A1 in speaking and listening and is now applying for further leave to remain they must have passed an English language test to a minimum of level A2.

Applicants who already hold English language qualifications are advised to contact the Casework section for further information and advice by emailing immigration@gov.je with a copy of their qualification.

Knowledge of Life (Citizenship Test)

The citizenship test is normally referred to as the 'Life in the United Kingdom' test.

An applicant needs to pass this test before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain (settlement) or naturalisation as a British citizen.

There are 18 questions based on a book about the United Kingdom (available from the TSO website) and 6 questions based on the supplement about Jersey (available below). The pass mark is 75%.

TSO Shop website

Jersey supplement

How to book and cost

To book a test, the applicant should contact Highlands College Jersey directly.

The applicant can sit the test as many times as they want, but will have to pay each time.

Exemptions from the Knowledge of Language and Life

Certain categories of people do not need to prove knowledge of language and life in the UK.

Age

If the applicant is under 18 or 65 and over, they do not need to meet the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement. When they apply, they should produce their passport or birth certificate as evidence of their age.

Disabilities

If the applicant has a long-term, permanent disability that prevents them from learning English, they may not have to meet the requirements. They must:

• be suffering from a long-term illness or disability that severely restricts their mobility and ability to attend language classes
• have a mental impairment that means they are unable to learn another language

When they apply, they should provide evidence from a medical practitioner confirming their disability.

If they need special arrangements to learn English or take the test, they still have to meet the requirements. 

Other exempt categories (applies to applications for indefinite leave to remain only)

An applicant does not have to pass the Citizenship test if they are applying for indefinite leave to remain or settled status, if they are:

• applying as a victim of domestic violence
• applying as a bereaved spouse, bereaved unmarried partner or bereaved civil partner
• an adult dependant relative under Appendix FM (J1) of the Jersey Immigration Rules
• an EU/EEA/Swiss national holding​ pre-settled or settled status granted under Appendix EU(J) or EU(J) Family Permit of the Jersey Immigration Rules
• a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national holding pre-settled status granted under Appendix EU(J) or EU(J) Family Permit of the Jersey Immigration Rules
• applying for settlement following six years' discretionary leave
• being granted settlement outside the Jersey Immigration Rules
• a Foreign and Commonwealth citizen on discharge from HM Forces (including Gurkhas)
• the spouse of a Foreign and Commonwealth citizen on discharge from HM Forces (including Gurkhas)

The applicant must still meet the requirements if they later apply for British citizenship, unless they are exempt for other reasons.