The B1 English test for settlement and British citizenship
In short
Indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship both ask for English at CEFR level B1 in speaking and listening, from a Secure English Language Test taken at an approved centre, alongside the Life in the UK test. One B1 pass can cover both applications if it's still within date.
This is going up to B2 on 26 March 2027
A statement of changes to the Immigration Rules raises the settlement English requirement from B1 to B2 for a long list of routes from 26 March 2027, including Settlement Family Life, Long Residence and Private Life. Work routes such as Skilled Worker are already at B2. If your settlement application falls on or after that date, check which route you're settling under before you book a B1 test, because a B1 pass may not be enough by then.
Statement of changes HC 1691, 5 March 2026Who needs B1
- Applying for indefinite leave to remain, including as a partner on the five-year family route.
- Applying to naturalise as a British citizen.
- Anyone who needs to satisfy the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK requirement and isn't exempt.
What the requirement actually is
Level B1
The level where you can handle most situations that come up in daily life, explain your opinion and give reasons for it, and follow a conversation about a familiar topic at normal speed.
Speaking and listening, from the SELT list
For settlement and naturalisation the Home Office accepts only speaking and listening qualifications at B1 or above from its published SELT list, taken at an approved centre. Other English certificates are not accepted for this stage.
Plus the Life in the UK test
B1 English is one half of the requirement. You also have to pass the Life in the UK test, which is a separate booking and a separate fee.
What the test looks like
- It's one live test with a real examiner, in four parts: a short interview, a role play, a picture task, and a listen-and-talk task.
- Speaking and listening only. There is no reading or writing paper at A1, A2 or B1.
- You're marked on five criteria and the result is reported as Pass or Not yet at the level you sat, not as a band score.
The four parts are the same at every level. Our guide to the SELT Speaking & Listening test walks through each one with a sample task.
Rules worth knowing before you book
- It has to be a Secure English Language Test (SELT) taken at a Home Office approved test centre. A test from the same provider taken anywhere else is not accepted.
- A SELT result is valid for two years from the date it's awarded.
- You sit the level you need. Passing at a higher level also satisfies a lower requirement, so a B1 pass covers an A2 stage.
You may not need the test at all
The requirement doesn’t apply to everyone. You’re likely to be exempt if any of these is true:
- You're aged 65 or over.
- You have a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you meeting it, evidenced by a doctor.
- You're a national of a country the Home Office treats as majority English speaking, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA or Jamaica.
- You already hold a degree that was taught or researched in English.
What comes after B1
Citizenship asks for the same B1 speaking and listening standard as settlement. If you passed B1 for your ILR application and still hold the certificate, you can usually rely on the same result when you naturalise, which is why it's worth keeping it somewhere safe.
FAQ
What English test do I need for ILR?
A B1 speaking and listening qualification from the Home Office SELT list, taken at an approved centre, plus the Life in the UK test.
Does B1 for citizenship include reading and writing?
No. For settlement and naturalisation the accepted qualifications cover speaking and listening at B1 or above.
Can I use the same B1 test for ILR and citizenship?
Usually yes. The same B1 speaking and listening result can support both applications, provided it's from an approved provider and still accepted at the time you apply.
Is the B1 requirement changing?
Yes, for many routes. From 26 March 2027 the settlement English requirement rises to B2 across a list of routes that includes Settlement Family Life. Check your specific route on GOV.UK before booking.
How long is a B1 SELT result valid?
Two years from the date it's awarded, though a result already accepted in an earlier immigration application can sometimes still be relied on after that.
See where your English is right now
Record one answer to a real interview question and get it marked on the official criteria. No account needed.
Sources
This page summarises UK government guidance as it stood in September 2026. It’s general information about an English test, not immigration advice, and the rules change. Check your own application on GOV.UK before you book anything.