B2 English Requirement for ILR 2026: Do You Need a New Test?
The English language requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain is rising from CEFR B1 to B2 on 26 March 2027 — already confirmed in law via HC 1691. If you hold only a B1 certificate and your ILR application falls on or after that date, you will need to resit. This guide explains exactly who is affected, which tests are approved, and what action to take now.
📋 What this guide covers
Quick reference — key facts
- Change confirmed:
- Yes — via HC 1691, March 2026 Statement of Changes (already in law)
- Effective date:
- 26 March 2027
- Applies to:
- Most ILR routes: Skilled Worker, Spouse/Partner, Long Residence, others
- Current requirement:
- B1 (CEFR) — valid for ILR applications submitted before 26 March 2027
- Incoming requirement:
- B2 (CEFR) — required for ILR applications on or after 26 March 2027
- New Skilled Worker visa entry:
- B2 already required from 8 January 2026 (separate change)
- Naturalisation (citizenship):
- Unchanged — B1 still required (as of June 2026)
What changed — and when
On 20 March 2026, the Home Office published HC 1691 — the latest Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules. Buried within it was a significant amendment: the English language requirement for settlement (ILR) across most visa routes will increase from CEFR B1 to CEFR B2, effective 26 March 2027.
Estimate your total ILR application fees
Calculate visa costs, biometrics, priority service, and IHS fees for your family.
This is not a proposal or a consultation. It is already written into the Immigration Rules. It will apply regardless of whether the broader earned settlement changes (10-year route) proceed on schedule or not. The two changes are independent of each other.
A separate, earlier change already raised the English requirement for new Skilled Worker visa applications (entry clearance) to B2 from 8 January 2026. The March 2027 change extends this to the settlement stage — meaning when you apply for ILR, you will also need B2.
Thousands of people hold IELTS or Trinity certificates at B1 level from their original visa applications. If you plan to apply for ILR on or after 26 March 2027, that B1 certificate will not be accepted. You will need to resit at B2 level — and approved test slots can take 4–8 weeks to book.
What is CEFR B1 vs B2 — the practical difference
CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) is the international standard for language proficiency. Here is what each level means in practice:
| Level | Typical ability | IELTS equivalent | ILR requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 — Intermediate | Can handle familiar situations, describe experiences, produce simple connected text | 4.0 – 5.0 | Valid before 26 Mar 2027 |
| B2 — Upper Intermediate | Can understand complex text, interact fluently with native speakers, produce detailed, clear writing | 5.5 – 6.5 | Required from 26 Mar 2027 |
| C1 — Advanced | Flexible, effective use for social, academic, and professional purposes | 7.0+ | Also valid (exceeds requirement) |
In real terms, B2 is roughly equivalent to a good GCSE English result or a solid conversational standard. Most people who have been living and working in English for several years will pass a B2 test without significant preparation. However, if you have relied on a minimum-pass B1 certificate and have not sat a formal test recently, booking a test well in advance is advisable.
Do you need a new test?
Whether your existing English language certificate is valid depends on two factors: what level it certifies, and when you plan to apply for ILR.
| Your certificate | Apply before 26 Mar 2027 | Apply on or after 26 Mar 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| B2 or above (e.g. IELTS 5.5+, Trinity ISE II) | ✓ Valid | ✓ Valid |
| B1 certificate from visa application | ✓ Still valid | ✗ Not accepted — resit required |
| UK degree taught in English | ✓ Valid | ✓ Valid (no test needed) |
| Overseas degree taught in English | ✓ Valid if on approved list | ⚠ Verify against updated Home Office list |
| No certificate — exempt nationality | ✓ No test required | ✓ No test required |
Which tests are approved for ILR at B2
For ILR applications, the Home Office requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider. As of June 2026, the following are approved for B2 level:
- IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General Training) — minimum score of 5.5 in all four components (listening, reading, writing, speaking). Must be taken at an approved UKVI test centre, not a standard IELTS academic centre.
- Trinity College London ISE II — Integrated Skills in English at B2 level. ISE I (B1) will not be accepted after March 2027.
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2
- Pearson PTE Academic UKVI — minimum overall score of 59
- Skills for English UKVI B2 (NOCN)
Important: Standard academic IELTS (not UKVI) is not accepted. Always verify the current approved provider list on GOV.UK before booking — the list is updated periodically and providers can be added or removed.
Who is exempt from the English language requirement
The following applicants do not need to provide an English language test certificate for ILR:
- Nationals of majority English-speaking countries listed in the Immigration Rules (includes Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United States, Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and others — always check the current list)
- Applicants aged 65 or over at the time of application
- Applicants with a physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement — requires supporting medical evidence
- Holders of a degree taught in English — from a UK institution, or an overseas institution on the approved list (verified via Ecctis, formerly UK NARIC)
If you are exempt, no test is required regardless of whether the requirement is B1 or B2. The exemption applies to both levels.
Action plan — what to do now
- Find your ILR qualifying date using the calculator. Does it fall before or after 26 March 2027?
- Check your existing English certificate: What level does it certify? Check the exact IELTS score or Trinity grade — not just "passed."
- If you hold B1 only and your qualifying date is after March 2027: Book a B2 SELT test now. Test centres often have 4–8 week waiting times. Allow time for results (typically 3–5 days for online tests, up to 2 weeks for paper-based).
- If your qualifying date is before March 2027: Your B1 certificate remains valid — but consider applying as early as possible using the 28-day early window to ensure you are within current rules.
- If you qualified via a UK degree in English: No resit needed. Keep a copy of your degree certificate and transcript as evidence.
- If you are unsure whether your overseas degree qualifies: Check via Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC). An Ecctis statement confirming the degree was taught in English is accepted.
What about British citizenship applications
As of June 2026, the English language requirement for British citizenship by naturalisation remains at B1. The March 2027 change applies only to ILR (settlement) applications — not to naturalisation. If you already hold ILR and are applying for citizenship, B1 is still sufficient.
Check your British citizenship readiness
See exactly when you can apply for naturalisation after acquiring ILR.
However, monitor GOV.UK for any future changes to the naturalisation English requirement. The direction of travel in UK immigration policy is towards higher language standards, and it is possible (but not confirmed) that naturalisation requirements could be raised in future.