If English is not your main language, you can take a course in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you can study ESOL at the 3 entry levels:

• ESOL Entry 1 (lowest)
• ESOL Entry 2
• ESOL Entry 3 (highest)

In Scotland, you can study ESOL at the following 3 levels:

• Access 2
• Access 3
• Intermediate 1

You are a 'skilled or highly skilled migrant' if you are currently in one of the following immigration categories:

• Tier 1 (Exceptional talent)
• Tier 1 (General)
• Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)
• Tier 1 (Investor)
• Tier 2 (Intra company transfer)
• Tier 2 (General)
• Tier 2 (Minister of religion)
• Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
• work permit holder
• highly skilled migrant (excluding those covered by the HSMP ILR Judicial Review policy document)
• representative of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation
• representative of an overseas business
• overseas government employee
• minister of religion, religious missionary, or member of a religious order
• airport-based operational ground staff of overseas-owned airlines
• person intending to establish themselves in business
• innovator
• person intending to establish themselves in business under the provisions of EC Association Agreements
• investor
• writer, composer or artist

If your English skills are at or above ESOL Entry 3 level or Scottish Intermediate 1 level, or if you are currently in the UK as a skilled or highly skilled migrant, you will need to pass the Life in the UK test before you apply for settlement.

This test consists of 24 multiple-choice questions, based on the information in the handbook 'Life in the UK: A Journey to Citizenship' (ISBN: 9780113413133).

The handbook is available from many bookshops or from The Stationery Office. If you have a visual impairment, an audio CD version of the handbook is available. The handbook was last updated in March 2007, so you should ensure that you use the second edition when preparing for the test.

The Home Office has also endorsed an official study guide. 'Life in the United Kingdom: Official Citizenship Test Study Guide' (ISBN: 9780113413249) is available from many bookshops or from The Stationery Office. Please note that the study guide does not contain the learning materials for the test, and should be read in conjunction with the handbook.

You can take the test at one of approximately 65 Life in the UK test centres around the UK. The Life in the UK test website explains how to prepare for and book your test. If you have a visual impairment, you can take the test in large print or the computer can read out each question for you. If you have special needs, you should contact your nearest test centre for details of the support it can provide.

The test costs £34.00 including VAT. You must pay this fee at the test centre before you begin the test.

You will also need to show photographic identification. The Life in the UK test website lists the suitable forms of identification.

If you pass the test, you will receive a pass notification letter.  You must include this letter with your application for settlement. The test centre will also notify us electronically within two working days that you have passed the test. If you pass the test, you will not need to provide any further evidence of your language skills.

Please note: If you want to apply for settlement in person at a public enquiry office (PEO), you must pass the test at least 2 working days before you attend your appointment, to allow time for the test result to be sent to us electronically. If the test result is not on our system when you attend your appointment, we will be unable to decide your application on the same day.

Taking the test in Welsh or Scottish Gaelic

The test is usually taken in English. If you are taking the test in Wales, you can ask to take the test in Welsh. If you are taking the test in Scotland, you can ask to take the test in Scottish Gaelic. You should contact your nearest test centre for details.

If you are in the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man

You will need to pass a test similar to the Life in the UK test, or successfully complete an ESOL course that contains citizenship materials, before you apply for settlement. Tests taken on these islands are paper-based and consist of 25 questions, with 6 questions based on local information about the island where the test is being taken.

If you are overseas

The Life in the UK test cannot be taken overseas.  If you are not in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, you will need to return here to take the test. 

If your English skills are below ESOL Entry 3 level (or Intermediate 1 level in Scotland), and you are not a skilled or highly skilled migrant, you must take an ESOL with citizenship course and obtain a relevant qualification to demonstrate your knowledge of language and life in the UK.

ESOL courses are available throughout the UK. The Directgov website can help you find a course at the right level in your area.

The course must be at an accredited college, and must include citizenship materials derived from the document 'Citizenship Materials for ESOL Learners' (ISBN: 1-84478-5424).

You must obtain a relevant ESOL qualification from an approved awarding body, and you must demonstrate that you have made relevant progress.

An 'accredited college' is:

• a publicly funded college that is subject to inspection by Ofsted (if it is in England), the Education and Training Inspectorate (Northern Ireland), HM Inspectorate of Education (Scotland), Estyn (Wales); or an inspection programme that has been approved by the Island's Government (in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man): or
• a private college that has been accredited by Accreditation UK, the British Accreditation Council (BAC), the Accreditation Body for Language Services (ABLS) or the Accreditation Service for International Colleges (ASIC).

A college meets the definition of an 'accredited college' if it is accredited on the date when you obtain your qualification, or if it is accredited on the date when your settlement application is decided.

A 'relevant ESOL qualification' is:

• an ESOL qualification in speaking and listening at Entry 1, Entry 2 or Entry 3 level approved by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual); or
• one National Qualifications Unit in ESOL at Access 2, Access 3 or Intermediate 1 level approved by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

'Approved awarding bodies' in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are:

• Ascentis (formerly Open College of the Northwest)
• Cambridge ESOL
• City & Guilds (Pitmans)
• Edexcel
• Education Development International (EDI)
• English Speaking Board (International) Limited
• Learning Resource Network (LRN)
• National Open College Network
• Trinity College London

In Scotland, the only approved awarding body is the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

To demonstrate 'relevant progress', your college must confirm that you have progressed by at least 1 level from the level at which you were assessed at the beginning of the course that led to your relevant qualification. For example, if you were initially assessed by your college as being below Entry 1 level, you must obtain a relevant ESOL qualification at Entry 1 level or above.

You should check with your college to ensure that it is accredited as described above, and that the course meets all of the above requirements. If your college is not accredited, or if the course does not meet all of the above requirements, your application will be refused. Your college should provide a letter confirming that the relevant criteria are met.  We have drafted a template of the letter (PDF 27KB opens in a new window) which you can use. The college should also provide evidence to show how it meets the definition of an accredited college.

Unless you are exempt from the KOL requirement, your application for settlement will be refused without a refund of the application fee if you have not met the requirement.

If you have not yet met the KOL requirement and your current permission to stay will expire soon, you will need to apply using the appropriate form to extend your temporary permission to stay (also known as 'further leave to remain') in the UK.

If you do meet the KOL requirement but your dependent partner has not yet obtained a relevant qualification, they will need to apply separately to extend their temporary permission to stay. They should apply using an FLR(O) application form, or using an FLR(M) form if you have applied or are applying under the points-based system.