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 fall into one of the categories below.
When booking a Secure English Language Test (SELT) you must ensure you are booking with an Approved Provider and sitting an Approved Test. Please see the UK Home Office page for specifics of the SELTs.
Certain Approved Providers have tests with similar names and to the same 'level' but only specified SELTs will be acceptable to prove your English language for a visa application. The provider website should indicate which tests are acceptable for UKVI purposes.
Always check the exact name of the test against the Approved tests on the website linked above. You must also ensure you are booking a test which is in the required components and at the required level for the visa you are applying for.
See the tables below for further information:
| Category | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Valid degree |
You have a valid degree that:
|
| Majority English speaking country |
You are a national of a majority English speaking country on the following list: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Overseas Territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and United States of America |
| Doctor, dentist, nurse or midwife Worker Migrant |
You are a Worker Migrant who will be employed as a doctor, dentist, nurse or midwife, and have passed an English language assessment which is accepted by the relevant regulated professional body as a requirement for registration. |
| Recognised Secure English Language Test (SELT) |
You hold a recognised Secure English Language Test (SELT) taken at a Home Office approved English test centre. Please see the Gov.Uk webpage linked in the top right of this page for further information on approved tests and providers. The below table summarises the level of test required for the different routes. Where two or more components of an English Language test are examined and awarded together, the required scores must be achieved in all relevant components during a single sitting, unless you were exempt from sitting a component on the basis of a disability. You must provide your unique reference number for your test along with your visa application. |
The tables below summarise 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 and 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.
