B2 English for ILR from 26 March 2027: what the rules say

The change in one table

This applies on the routes listed below. A few routes stay at B1, and so does British citizenship.

Where the change comes from

The government changes the Immigration Rules with a document called a Statement of Changes. This one is HC 1691, published on 5 March 2026. Its explanatory memorandum says:

“This change increases the English language requirement for settlement to B2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for a number of immigration routes where the existing requirement is at B1 level.”

Explanatory memorandum to HC 1691, para 5.60

It also says when:

“These changes will come into force on 26 March 2027. The changes will therefore apply to those already on a pathway to settlement in the UK”

Explanatory memorandum to HC 1691, para 5.62

So the new level also reaches people who are already in the UK on a route to settlement. What counts is the date of the application.

The GOV.UK page address uses 'hc-1619'; the document title and reference say HC 1691.

Which routes move to B2

Paragraph 5.60 names these parts of the Immigration Rules:

• Appendix KoLL (which the family route's partner and parent settlement rules point to)
• Appendix Skilled Worker (includes Health and Care Worker)
• Appendix Tier 2 Minister of Religion
• Appendix Representative of an Overseas Business
• Appendix UK Ancestry
• Appendix Global Talent
• Appendix Scale Up
• Appendix Innovator Founder
• Appendix International Sportsperson
• Appendix Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection)
• Appendix Long Residence
• Appendix Bereaved Partner
• Appendix Private Life
• Appendix Settlement Family Life

Skilled Worker, including Health and Care Worker

For the main applicant, a new paragraph sets the settlement English rule:

“SW 22A.1. Where the date of application is on or after 26 March 2027, the applicant must, unless an exemption applies, show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B2.”

Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 22A.1

For partners and children applying as dependants, the rule asks for B1 for applications made before 26 March 2027 and B2 on or after (Immigration Rules Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 44.1(a)-(b)).

See this paragraph on GOV.UK (screenshot)

Partners and parents on the family route

Settlement as a partner (E-ILRP) or parent (E-ILRPT) on the family route uses Appendix KoLL for English. (Immigration Rules Appendix FM, E-ILRP.1.6 and E-ILRPT.1.5)

Appendix KoLL then sets the level by the date of the application:

“(i) where the date of application is before 26 March 2027, that the applicant has passed an English language test in speaking and listening, at a minimum level B1…”

“(ii) where the date of application is on or after 26 March 2027, that the applicant has passed an English language test in speaking and listening, at a minimum level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages…”

Immigration Rules Appendix KoLL, para 2.2(c)(i)-(ii)

See this paragraph on GOV.UK (screenshot)

Who stays at B1

We read these rules on 31 October 2026. They still ask for B1:

• Hong Kong BN(O) route: Settlement on the BN(O) route asks for B1 in speaking and listening, with no 2027 change in the rule text. (Immigration Rules Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas), HK 60.1)
• HM Armed Forces route (partners and children): Settlement for a partner or child on the HM Armed Forces route asks for B1 in speaking and listening, with no 2027 change in the rule text. (Immigration Rules Appendix HM Armed Forces, AF 29.1)
• Domestic Workers in a Private Household route: Settlement on this route (and for its partners and children) asks for B1 in speaking and listening, with no 2027 change in the rule text. (Immigration Rules Appendix Domestic Workers in a Private Household, DW 11.1 and DW 30.1)
• British citizenship (naturalisation): Naturalisation asks for a SELT at B1 or above, taken no more than two years before the application. HC 1691 changes the Immigration Rules, not these regulations. (British Nationality (General) Regulations 2003, regulation 5A(1)(a))

This page covers the rules as they were written on the date we checked them. It doesn't cover proposals or consultations.

Does a B1 pass still count?

This is the question people ask most. Here is what the rules say, in general:

• On the routes that move, the rules ask for B1 for applications made before 26 March 2027, and B2 for applications made on or after it.
• A B1 result is one level below B2.
• Appendix English Language says an English result from an earlier application counts only “at the level required for their current application” (Immigration Rules Appendix English Language, EL 3.1).
• Appendix KoLL lists earlier leave based on a B1 qualification only for applications made before 26 March 2027. For later applications, it refers to leave based on a B2 qualification (Immigration Rules Appendix KoLL, para 2.2(b) and 2.2(ba)).
• Separately, a test result must be from “in the 2 years before the date of application” (Appendix English Language, EL 6.1).

How this works for one person depends on their route and their dates. We can't answer that.

We can't tell you what applies to you. Check GOV.UK or find a regulated adviser with the Immigration Advice Authority.

Which B2 speaking and listening tests exist today

On 31 October 2026, the GOV.UK list of approved English tests taken in the UK had no B2 test of the speaking-and-listening-only type. Its speaking-and-listening tests were at A1, A2 and B1 only.

Every other B2 test on the list covers four skills: reading, writing, speaking and listening. The score the list asks for at B2:

• ISE II (B2, four skills): pass in each of reading, listening, speaking, writing
• IELTS for UKVI (four skills): 5.5 in each skill
• LANGUAGECERT General SELT (four skills, A2-C1): 60 in each skill
• LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT (four skills, B1-C2): 60 in each skill
• PTE Academic UKVI (four skills): 59 in each skill

The settlement rule is about speaking and listening. How a four-skill result is used for it is a question for GOV.UK or a regulated adviser, not for this page.

Trinity College London has announced a B2 speaking and listening test, GESE Grade 7 (B2 Speaking & Listening SELT). The provider says it will be used for ILR (settlement) applications made on or after 26 March 2027. On 31 October 2026 it was not on the approved list, not bookable and had no published price.

The B2 test tracker shows the status of every B2 test, with prices and a change log.

Settle Prep is not affiliated with or endorsed by Trinity College London, IELTS SELT Consortium, LANGUAGECERT or Pearson. We name their tests only to describe them.

Exemptions and other ways to meet the rule

Appendix English Language lists general exemptions for settlement English:

“An applicant for settlement is exempt from the English language requirement if at the date of application any of the following apply: (a) they are aged 65 or over; or (b) they are aged under 18; or (c) they have a disability (physical or mental condition) which prevents them from meeting the requirement”

Appendix English Language, EL 1.1

The rules also list other ways to meet the requirement. These include:

• being a national of one of 18 listed majority-English-speaking countries (EL 4.1);
• some degrees, including a degree taught in English (EL 5);
• certain English qualifications from school in the UK (EL 7).

Whether any of these fits a person is not something this site can say.

We can't tell you what applies to you. Check GOV.UK or find a regulated adviser with the Immigration Advice Authority.

Practising for B2 speaking

B2 is a step up from B1. Trinity College London has published the format for GESE Grade 7: 3 parts in 15 minutes.

1. Topic phase, about 5 minutes
2. Interactive phase, about 4 minutes
3. Conversation phase, about 5 minutes

In the middle part, you ask the questions and keep the conversation going. Our guide explains each part: GESE Grade 7: what happens in the exam.

Our free speaking check has a B2 practice mode in this style. It takes about 4 minutes and gives a practice estimate, not an official result.

Settlement and citizenship applications also use the Life in the UK test. A pass gives a unique reference number used in the settlement or citizenship application. See how many people pass it each quarter.