English language testing for spouses and partners
The new government announced today that language testing is to be introduced for non-EEA spouses and partners applying for UK visas or leave to remain from Autumn 2010.
Testing will be required for people applying from within the UK as well as visa applicants overseas.
Home Secretary Theresa May justified the move, which had already been proposed by the previous Labour government and was slated for 2011, saying:
'I believe being able to speak English should be a prerequisite for anyone who wants to settle here. The new English requirement for spouses will help promote integration, remove cultural barriers and protect public services.'
Anyone wishing to come to the UK as a partner will need to demonstrate basic English at A1 level of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for language testing. Further information about what is required at A1 level is can be found at http://tinyurl.com/qwlem