Do I need B2 English for ILR right now?

No. The B2 requirement only applies to settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027. Before that date, a Skilled Worker has no English requirement at the settlement stage, and partners and adult children need B1 in speaking and listening.

Is the Duolingo English Test accepted for ILR?

No. Duolingo is not on the Home Office's approved SELT list and will not meet the English language requirement for settlement, regardless of the score achieved.

Can I use my old B2 certificate if it has expired?

It depends. If your certificate was accepted for a previous UK immigration application and the test itself is still on the current approved list, it may still be usable. If the test or provider is no longer approved, you will need to sit a new one.

Do dependants need to pass reading and writing too?

No. Under the Immigration Rules, dependants applying for settlement need B2 in speaking and listening, which is the same standard the Rules set for the main applicant. In practice, every approved B2 test examines all four skills.

I'm a UK graduate. Do I need to take an English test for ILR?

Generally not. A degree awarded by a UK institution is accepted as proof of English ability, so a separate test is not usually required.

What happens if I apply after 26 March 2027 without meeting B2?

Your application is likely to be refused on English language grounds unless an exemption applies to you. It is worth checking your position and, where possible, preparing well in advance of that date.

Which English Tests Does UKVI Accept for ILR After 26 March 2027? – steps with books and a certificate badge

Which English Tests Does UKVI Accept for ILR From 26 March 2027?

By WorkPermitCloud

Category: ILR

Updated06 Oct 2026· Reviewed by WPC content team

What changed: Corrected to show that the Immigration Rules require B2 in speaking and listening for settlement from 26 March 2027, that UK GCSEs and A levels in English are accepted evidence on some routes, and which tests are approved at B2.

First published 11 Jul 2026

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