The Skilled Worker English language requirement

A new Skilled Worker applicant will normally need to show reading, writing, speaking and listening at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

Yes. A person who held Skilled Worker permission before 8 January 2026 and is extending or updating that permission may remain subject to the B1 requirement and will not normally need to prove English again. A person switching from another route will normally need B2 unless a specific provision applies.

Depending on the circumstances, English can be proved through an approved Secure English Language Test, a qualifying UK school qualification, a UK degree, an overseas degree taught in English and assessed by Ecctis, or another method accepted by the Rules.

Potentially. Where the qualification was awarded outside the UK and taught in English, the applicant will normally need an Ecctis assessment confirming the required UK degree equivalence and English-medium teaching.

A Secure English Language Test is normally relied upon if it was passed within the permitted validity period before the application. A test previously accepted in a successful immigration application may continue to be relied upon where the Rules allow, even if the certificate is older.

Nationals of the countries and territories listed in the current Rules do not need to provide separate English evidence. The list should be linked rather than reproduced on the website because it can change.

A person in one of the specified regulated professions may not need separate evidence where they have already passed an English-language assessment accepted by the relevant professional regulator. The particular professional and regulator requirements should be checked.

No general over-65 exemption applies to the Skilled Worker English-language requirement. Exemptions found in other routes should not be imported into Skilled Worker guidance.

The settlement requirements must be checked at the date of application. Published rules introduce a B2 settlement requirement for applications made on or after 26 March 2027, including relevant dependant settlement applications. Applicants approaching settlement should obtain current advice.