English language requirement

English language requirement for Entry Clearance or Variation of Leave

When applying for either entry clearance to the Isle of Man or to change your leave in the Isle of Man, applicants must demonstrate a certain level of English language ability.

You can demonstrate this by:

holding a suitable degree
being from a majority English speaking country
passing a test with a Home Office approved Secure English Language Testing (SELT) provider

You will need to demonstrate you have met the required level in English if you are applying in one of the following routes:

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur)
Isle of Man Worker Migrant
Tier 4 (General)
Overseas Business Representative
Partner
Parent
Settlement
Citizenship

How to prove you meet the requirement

You automatically meet the requirement if:

you have a degree that was taught or researched in English or
your qualification is recognised by UK NARIC as being equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher – if your degree isn’t from a UK university, you’ll need to send a certificate from UK NARIC confirming this when you apply or
you are from a majority English speaking country on the following list:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevic
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA

Exemptions

You won't need to prove your knowledge of English or take a test if you're over 65 or you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement

Secure English Language Test (SELT)

Customers can only take a SELT test with one of the following providers:

Trinity College London (UK based migrants only) or
IELTS SELT Consortium (UK or overseas based migrants)

Tests can be booked online using one of the SELT links above. The IELTS SELT can be taken on the Isle of Man but has to be booked via the online link.

It is for an applicant to decide which SELT test to take. The tests on the published list offered by Trinity College London and the IELTS SELT Consortium are acceptable for a number of immigration routes. You should take the level of test required for the immigration route you are applying for.

More information on the types of tests can be found on the UK Home Office or on the IELTS website.

The table summarises the level of test required for the different types of routes:

Test	Version	Purpose
IELTS	Academic	This test is for test takers wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking professional registration in the UK
IELTS	General Training	This test is for test takers wishing to migrate to the UK and those wishing to train or study below degree level
IELTS Life Skills	A1	This test is for those who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills as part of their application to UK Visas and Immigration for 'family of a settled person' visas
IELTS Life Skills	A2	This test is for those who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills as part of their application to UK Visas and Immigration for extension to Family, Spouse or Partner visa
IELTS Life Skills	B1	This test is for those who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills as part of their application to UK Visas and Immigration for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship

English language requirement for Settlement and Citizenship

Unless you automatically meet the English language requirement as set out above, most settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) applicants, and all those applying to naturalise as a British citizen, will need to pass a test with a Home Office approved Secure English Language Testing (SELT) provider at B1 level or above.

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 test.

In the Isle of Man, the tests are held at the Isle of Man College and you can apply to take the test in by visiting the University College Isle of Man website.

You’ll be tested on information in the official handbook for the Life in the UK Test - you should study this book to prepare for the test. You can also purchase a supplement to the handbook called 'Life in the Isle of Man' from the Isle of Man Passport and Immigration Office. This is currently priced at £3.40.

You’ll have 45 minutes to answer 24 questions about British traditions and customs.