Master prompt
CEFR thresholds map across UK immigration routes
Comprehensive map of A1 / A2 / B1 / B2 / C1 / C2 thresholds by UK route — Student, Skilled Worker, Spouse stages, Naturalisation — with sources.
UKLanguage testCEFRA1A2B1B2C1Appendix English Language
Produce a CEFR thresholds map for [CLIENT_NAME] covering [PRIMARY_ROUTE] now and Spouse extension → Spouse ILR → Naturalisation going forward, so they invest in the right test at the right level once.
CLIENT SUMMARY
• Primary route now: [PRIMARY_ROUTE]
• Future routes in scope: Spouse extension → Spouse ILR → Naturalisation
• Existing language proof: None
§1 — CEFR LEVELS AT A GLANCE
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) defines six levels:
A1 — Beginner: basic phrases, introductions, very familiar topics
A2 — Elementary: simple everyday matters, short routine social
exchanges
B1 — Intermediate: independent user; can handle most everyday travel
situations, give opinions, narrate experiences
B2 — Upper-intermediate: complex texts, abstract topics, fluent
interaction with native speakers
C1 — Advanced: nuanced, professional / academic settings
C2 — Proficient: near-native; rare in UK immigration context
Appendix English Language (Immigration Rules) applies these levels with
"skills" granularity — some routes require all four skills (S/L/R/W),
others only two (S/L).
§2 — CEFR THRESHOLDS BY UK ROUTE (Appendix English Language EL 4.1)
Each route below lists: minimum CEFR + which skills + acceptable proofs.
Note: rules are revised periodically — verify against current Appendix
English Language at gov.uk/government/publications/immigration-rules-
appendix-english-language before any application.
STUDENT (Appendix Student) — degree level (RQF 6+)
• CEFR B2 — all four skills (S, L, R, W)
• Acceptable proofs:
— IELTS for UKVI Academic — overall 5.5 (B2 lower) per module
— PTE Academic UKVI — overall 59 per module (B2 lower)
— LanguageCert International ESOL B2 — pass each module
— Trinity ISE II (UK only)
— Degree taught in English overseas + UK ENIC letter
• SOME sponsors waive SELT for degree-level if applicant has UK
degree OR overseas degree taught in English (confirmed with UK ENIC
letter)
STUDENT (below degree, RQF 3-5)
• CEFR B1 — all four skills
• Same providers, B1 thresholds
SKILLED WORKER (Appendix Skilled Worker)
• CEFR B1 — all four skills (S, L, R, W)
• Acceptable proofs:
— IELTS for UKVI (Academic OR General Training) — overall 4.0 per
module
— PTE Academic UKVI — overall 43 per module (B1 lower)
— LanguageCert International ESOL B1 (4-skills)
— PSI Skills for English B1
— UK ENIC-confirmed degree taught in English (overseas degree)
— UK degree (any level)
— National of majority-English-speaking country (see §3)
HEALTH AND CARE WORKER (Appendix Skilled Worker — Health subset)
• CEFR B1 four skills as default; some healthcare sponsors require
higher (B2) via professional registration body (NMC, GMC, GDC, GPhC)
• For doctors / dentists: OET (Occupational English Test) Grade B is
accepted by GMC / GDC; for visa, IELTS for UKVI GT is more common
• For nurses: OET Grade B OR IELTS Academic 7.0 (NMC standard) — but
VISA only needs B1 (IELTS 4.0). NMC sets a higher bar than UKVI;
satisfy both.
SPOUSE / PARTNER / PARENT (Appendix FM) — INITIAL entry from overseas
• CEFR A1 — Speaking + Listening only
• Acceptable proofs:
— IELTS Life Skills A1 — Pass
— PTE Home A1 — Pass
— LanguageCert Speaking & Listening A1 — Pass
— PSI Skills for English A1 — Pass
— Degree taught in English + UK ENIC letter
— National of majority-English-speaking country (see §3)
SPOUSE / PARTNER / PARENT — 2.5-year EXTENSION in UK
• CEFR A2 — Speaking + Listening
• Same providers at A2; the most cost-effective is IELTS Life Skills
A2 or PTE Home A2
SPOUSE / PARTNER / PARENT — INDEFINITE LEAVE TO REMAIN (ILR)
• CEFR B1 — Speaking + Listening (Reading + Writing NOT required for
Spouse ILR)
• Acceptable proofs:
— IELTS Life Skills B1 — Pass
— PTE Home B1 — Pass
— LanguageCert Speaking & Listening B1 — Pass
— Trinity GESE Grade 3 (UK only)
— UK degree / overseas degree + UK ENIC English-medium confirmation
— National of majority-English-speaking country
NATURALISATION (BNA 1981 Schedule 1 para 1(1)(c))
• CEFR B1 — Speaking + Listening
• Same B1 two-skills providers as Spouse ILR
• Once met always met: if applicant passed B1 for Spouse ILR
previously, NO retest required for naturalisation
LONG RESIDENCE ILR (10 years lawful residence — Appendix Long Residence)
• CEFR B1 — Speaking + Listening
• Same proofs as Spouse ILR
SETTLEMENT — other categories (refugee, victim of domestic violence,
bereaved partner, etc.)
• CEFR B1 — Speaking + Listening (generally)
• Specific categories may have exemptions or different requirements —
consult OISC adviser per category
§3 — NATIONALITY EXEMPTIONS (EL 6.1)
Nationals of the following countries (majority English-speaking) are
EXEMPT from the language requirement in all routes (verify Appendix
English Language for current list — these are the historical list):
Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada,
Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland (but already covered by Common
Travel Area for most routes), Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts
and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and
Tobago, United States of America
Acceptable proof of nationality: passport.
[CLIENT_NAME] check: if None mentions national of
any of these countries, language requirement is satisfied automatically
without a SELT — confirm passport on file.
§4 — DEGREE-BASED EXEMPTION (EL 3.1 — academic qualifications)
A degree-level academic qualification taught in English may substitute
for a SELT if:
(a) UK degree (Bachelor's, Master's, PhD) — accepted directly; no
separate confirmation needed
(b) Overseas degree — must be UK ENIC-confirmed (ECCTIS) AS:
• Equivalent to UK Bachelor's / Master's / PhD AND
• Taught wholly in English (or with English-language confirmation
from ENIC)
(c) ENIC fee: approximately GBP 49.50 standard + GBP 19.80 English-
language confirmation add-on (2026-05 — verify)
(d) ENIC letter must be in applicant's name, dated, and reference the
degree; valid for the route's application window
Indian degrees commonly accepted with ENIC letter:
• Bachelor's from UGC-recognised universities (Mumbai, Delhi, JNU,
Banaras, Anna, Calcutta, Madras) — typically equivalent to UK
Bachelor's
• Postgraduate degrees from IIMs / IITs / NITs — typically equivalent
to UK Master's / PhD as appropriate
If None mentions an Indian degree:
• Confirm degree was taught entirely in English (most UGC universities
are; some regional-language programmes are not)
• Order UK ENIC Statement of Comparability with English-Medium
Confirmation
• Add to application as substitute for SELT
§5 — AGE EXEMPTION (EL 6.1)
Applicants AGED 65 OR OVER at the date of application are exempt from the
English language requirement in:
• Spouse / Partner / Parent (Appendix FM) — all stages
• Naturalisation (Form AN)
NOT exempt by age for:
• Skilled Worker / Health and Care Worker (no upper age limit for
employment-based routes; some sponsors set their own age criteria)
• Student (typical applicants are under 65 anyway)
§6 — LONG-TERM MENTAL / PHYSICAL CONDITION EXEMPTION
Where applicant has a long-term physical or mental condition that
prevents them from meeting the requirement, exemption may be claimed
with medical evidence (doctor's letter, consultant's report). The
caseworker has discretion. Common cases: hearing impairment requiring
BSL, severe cognitive impairment, severe physical disability that
prevents test attendance even with accommodations.
If [CLIENT_NAME] may qualify: brief OISC adviser / solicitor for
evidence-gathering with consultant evaluation.
§7 — STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATION FOR [CLIENT_NAME]
Build a multi-route plan that minimises total tests:
Step 1: For [PRIMARY_ROUTE] now, identify minimum CEFR + skills set
(see §2). State the cheapest sufficient test.
Step 2: For Spouse extension → Spouse ILR → Naturalisation, identify the HIGHEST CEFR threshold
across all future routes (e.g. Spouse extension A2 → Spouse ILR B1
→ Naturalisation B1 — highest is B1).
Step 3: If the difference between current-route minimum and future-
route maximum is small (e.g. A1 now → B1 later), consider taking
the higher test now ONLY IF:
(a) Applicant is comfortably at the higher level AND
(b) Score validity (typically 2 years) covers the future
application AND
(c) Cost-benefit favours single test over multiple lower-level
tests over 5-7 years
Otherwise, take A1 now and B1 later (saves money + reduces failure
risk).
Step 4: If None indicates a previous SELT pass,
apply the "once met always met" rule (EL 5.1) — that pass remains
valid for that CEFR level and lower on all future UK applications
after the application that used it is decided.
Step 5: If None indicates a degree or nationality
exemption, consider whether ENIC letter or passport copy can substitute
for SELT entirely — saves cost permanently.
§8 — OUTPUT FORMAT
Produce a table:
Route | When | CEFR | Skills | Recommended test | Cost (INR)
[PRIMARY_ROUTE]| Now | [lvl] | [S/L] | [test] | [amount]
[next route] | [date] | [lvl] | [S/L] | [test or "use prior pass"]| [amount]
...
Below the table:
• One-paragraph rationale tying CURRENT_LANGUAGE_PROOF + future-route
strategy to the recommendation
• Flag any exemptions [CLIENT_NAME] may already qualify for that the
OISC adviser should verify (degree + ENIC letter, nationality,
age 65+)
• Total savings vs taking each test separately
End with: "DRAFT CEFR map — for OISC-regulated adviser or solicitor review. Verify against current Appendix English Language EL 4.1 and the UKVI SELT-provider list before submission. Score validity (typically 2 years) and 'once met always met' rule (EL 5.1) determine whether prior SELT passes can be reused."Unlock the vault to see the full prompt