Migrants will be forced to learn English to A Level standard if they want to move to Britain
People seeking to move to the UK will need to demonstrate advanced English proficiency, with proof provided through a Secure English Language Test (SELT) taken with a Home Office–approved provider. Test results will be checked as part of the visa application process, tightening how language ability is validated before entry.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood framed the policy as a balance of openness and responsibility, emphasizing that integration hinges on strong language skills.
“This country has always welcomed those who come to this country and contribute.
But it is unacceptable for migrants to come here without learning our language, unable to contribute to our national life. If you come to this country, you must learn our language and play your part.”
The updated benchmark goes beyond basic competency. Applicants will be expected to express themselves fluently and spontaneously, without obvious pauses to search for words, and to handle conversations and tasks across a range of settings. That means operating confidently in social interactions, academic contexts, and professional environments, rather than relying on limited or rehearsed phrases.
In practice, the requirement centers on two pillars. First, candidates must sit a SELT with a provider approved by the Home Office, ensuring consistent testing standards and identity checks. Second, those results will be verified within the visa processing system, creating a clear audit trail that links a candidate’s test outcome to their application. Together, these steps are designed to make language assessment both secure and enforceable.
For prospective migrants, the message is straightforward: arriving in Britain will require the ability to communicate at a high level—confidently, flexibly, and in real time—so that newcomers can participate fully in civic life, education, and the workforce from day one.
