
05/09/2025
UK Raises English Test Bar for Work and Family Visas
The UK government has tightened visa rules, raising English proficiency standards for skilled workers and family applicants. From now on, skilled worker visa applicants must demonstrate B2-level English, up from B1, showing they can handle complex workplace communication.
For family and dependent visas, the new rules introduce English at the entry stage. Spouses and adult dependents must progress through levels A1 for entry, A2 for extensions, and B2 for settlement. The Home Office says this framework is designed to improve integration, boost workplace productivity, and set higher expectations for long-term residency.
These reforms are part of the UK’s broader immigration overhaul aimed at reducing net migration while ensuring migrants are better prepared for life and work in Britain. Applicants planning to move should start preparing early for Home Office-approved language tests.