English language requirement
When applying for either entry clearance to the Isle of Man or to vary their leave in the Isle of Man, applicants must demonstrate a certain level of English language ability. An applicant will automatically meet the English language requirement if:
- They have a valid degree that:
- was awarded by a university in the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man or Channel Islands, or one of the English majority speaking countries listed in 2 below (except Canada) or
- was not awarded from a university in one of these countries, but it was taught or researched in English and is recognised by UK Ecctis as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher you’ll need to send a certificate from UK Ecctis confirming this when you apply
Or
- you are from a majority English speaking country on the following list:
| Antigua and Barbuda | Canada | Malta | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Australia | Dominica | New Zealand | USA |
| The Bahamas | Grenada | St Kitts and Nevis | |
| Barbados | Guyana | St Lucia | |
| Belize | Jamaica | St Vincent and the Grenadines |
Or
- You hold a recognised Secure English Language Test that was taken at a Home Office approved English test centre. The table summarises the level of test required for the different types of routes:
Entry Clearance Applications Only
| Visa Category | Level of English & skills to be demonstrated | Test ProviderTests must be booked online at an approved test centre in the country you make your application from |
|---|---|---|
| Worker Migrant | B1 in speaking, listening, reading and writing | |
| Worker Migrant Health and Care visa | B1 in speaking, listening, reading and writing | |
Business Migrant – Start Up |
B2 in speaking listening reading and writing |
|
Business Migrant - Innovator |
B2 in speaking listening reading and writing |
|
| Join Family visa (Spouse, Partner, Child) Non Points Based Routes Appendix FM |
A1 in speaking & listening |
|
| Representative of an Overseas Business | A1 speaking and listening |
Further Leave to Remain Applications Only
| Visa Category | Level of English & skills to be demonstrated | Test ProviderTests must be booked online through the provider of your own choice. Do not contact the test centre directly. |
|---|---|---|
Worker Migrant |
B1 in speaking, listening, reading and writing |
|
Worker Migrant Health Care Visa |
B1 in speaking, listening, reading and writing |
|
Business Migrant – Start Up |
B2 in speaking, listening, reading and writing |
|
Business Migrant - Innovator |
B2 in speaking listening, reading and writing |
|
| Appendix FM settlement Visas:- Family life as a partner of a settled person (Spouse/Partner)- Family life as a parent (Parent of a Dependant) | A2 in speaking & listening |
|
Settlement & Citizenship
| Visa Category | Level of English & skills to be demonstrated | Test Provider |
|---|---|---|
| Indefinite Leave to Remain — ILR (Settlement/Permanent Residency) | B1 Speaking and listening |
|
| British Citizenship (Naturalisation) | B1 Speaking and listening |
Knowledge of Life and Language in the Islands test
In addition to meeting the English language requirement, most settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) applicants, and all those applying to naturalise as a British citizen, must pass the life in the UK and Island test. To book the test at the Isle of Man College you can apply to take the test in by visiting the University College Isle of Man website.
All applicants will be tested on information contained in the official UK handbook which can be purchased by clicking on this link here - Official handbook for the Life in the UK Test
Those taking their test in the Isle of Man must also answer 5 questions in respect of the Isle of Man. Applicants can download the life in the Isle of Man supplement free of charge here - Life in the Isle of Man free supplement
Exemptions
Some visa routes offer exemptions from the English requirement if you're over 65, under 18 or you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement. Check the immigration rules for more detail
