STARTING November this year, foreigners who intend to marry UK citizens or persons settled in the UK must prove that they can speak and understand simple and basic English.
Thus an applicant applying as the husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, same-sex partner, fiancé(e), or prospective civil partner of a UK citizen or a person settled in the UK must undergo and pass a required English language examination with one of the official test providers accredited by the UK Border Agency. Writing and reading skills are not required, however.
Applicants who are citizens of majority English-speaking countries are not required to undergo the language test.
Under the new regulation, the applicant must exhibit a basic command of spoken English and reach at least the A1 level based on the Common European Framework of Reference. Under the A1 level, the person can understand and use everyday simple expressions as well as very basic phrases.
The A1 level is similar to that required under Tier 2 (skilled workers) points-based system.
The official guidelines for the new requirement shall be published in the amended Immigration Rules sometime in September this year.
