Rules 6
Do you need to prove B2 English?
First-time Skilled Worker applicants, including people switching from a Graduate visa, need English at B2 unless an exemption applies.
| Figure | In force | Since | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| English level for a Skilled Worker visa | | SW 4.1, HC 1333 (gov.uk) | |
F1 Substituted by HC 1333, APP SW3. In force . Show what it said before | |||
| English level when switching to Skilled Worker | B2 | SW 4.1, HC 1333 (gov.uk) | |
The English level for a Skilled Worker visa rose on .
New applicants and switchers need the higher level
For a Skilled Worker visa you must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. HC 1333 changed the level on : No longer applies: B1 Applies today: B2Note F2.
5.22 The English language requirement for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up routes is increased from B1 Level to B2 Level (as defined under the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR)).
To switch to Skilled Worker from a different visa, such as a Graduate visa, you need level B2. Its dates are in after your course ends and switching before your course ends.
A High Potential Individual (HPI) visa also needs English at B2, after the same Statement of ChangesStatement of Changes A document laid before Parliament that amends the Immigration Rules. Each has an HC number and one or more commencement dates..
Existing Skilled Workers keep the earlier level
If you had a Skilled Worker visa before and are applying to extend or update it, you need level B1. You do not need to prove your knowledge of English again.
If you had this visa before 8 January 2026 and you’re applying to extend or update it, you need level B1 English. You do not need to prove your knowledge of English again.
Some applicants need not prove their English
Nationals of some countries and territories do not need to prove their knowledge of English. Otherwise you usually need to prove it in one of a set list of ways, and a UK degree taught in English is one of them.
Check whether you need to prove it
Two ways to be exempt, and the ways to prove it
No need to prove English if you are a national of: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and USA.
Authority GOV.UK guidance, Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English (gov.uk).
The passage relied on
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:
Otherwise, when switching you need level B2, usually proved in one of these ways:
Authority Appendix Skilled Worker, SW 4.1 (HC 1333 APP SW3) (gov.uk).
The passage relied on
If you’re applying to switch from a different visa, you need level B2.
- A UK school qualification begun under 18 (GCSE, A level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Higher or Advanced Higher in English)
- A degree taught in English and awarded by a UK institution
- A degree taught in English from an institution outside the UK, confirmed by Ecctis
- A Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider
A UK degree taught in English counts even if you studied outside the UK.
Authority GOV.UK guidance, Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English (gov.uk).
The passage relied on
You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree-level qualification that was both:
Ways to prove it GOV.UK guidance, Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English (gov.uk).
The passage relied on
You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply. You can prove it in one of the following ways, by:
If you have already proved your knowledge of English in a previous successful visa application, you may not have to prove it again.
English for settlement is scheduled to change
Statement of Changes HC 1691 adds an English requirement for Skilled Workers applying to settleSettlement Permission to live in the UK permanently, also called indefinite leave to remain. Each route sets its own qualifying period and conditions., at B2 or above.
Scheduled: Settlement applications made on or after need English speaking and listening at B2, unless an exemption applies. (HC 1691)
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.
Each change is dated in the Ledger of rule changes. Other entries on pay, switching and jobs are in Rules. Country-specific points, such as the exemption for US nationals, are in the nationality notes.
History
- 26 March 2027. Scheduled. English level for settlement raised, HC 1691.
- . Entry updated.
- . Entry first published.
- 8 January 2026. In force. English level raised for Skilled Worker and HPI, HC 1333.
Common questions
Do I need B2 English for a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. The level has been B2 since 8 January 2026. If you had a Skilled Worker visa before that date and are extending or updating it, you need B1 and do not need to prove your English again.
Do I need B2 English to switch from a Graduate visa?
Yes. If you are applying to switch to Skilled Worker from a different visa, such as a Graduate visa, you need level B2.
Who is exempt from the Skilled Worker English language requirement?
Nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and USA do not need to prove their knowledge of English.
Does a degree taught in English count for a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. A degree-level qualification taught in English and awarded by a UK institution is one accepted way to prove your English, even if you studied outside the UK.
Sources
- Skilled Worker visa: Knowledge of English (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
If you had this visa before 8 January 2026 and you’re applying to extend or update it, you need level B1 English. You do not need to prove your knowledge of English again.
If you’re applying to switch from a different visa, you need level B2.
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re a national of one of the following countries or territories:
You can prove your knowledge of English if you have a degree-level qualification that was both:
awarded by a UK institution, even if you studied outside the UK
You’ll usually need to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply. You can prove it in one of the following ways, by:
If you have already proved your knowledge of English in a previous successful visa application, you may not have to prove it again.
- Statement of Changes HC 1333: explanatory memorandum (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
5.22 The English language requirement for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up routes is increased from B1 Level to B2 Level (as defined under the Common European Framework for Reference for Languages (CEFR)).
6.4 For the changes that introduce a visa requirement on Botswana, those changes will come into effect at 1500 BST on 14 October 2025. The changes regarding appendix HPI, will come into effect on 4 November 2025, the changes relating to Students transitioning to the Innovator Founder route come into effect on 25 November 2025 and the changes to English language requirements for economic migration routes will come into effect on 8 January 2026. All other changes will come into effect on 11 November 2025 and are detailed in the implementation section of the Statement of Changes.
- Statement of Changes HC 1333 (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
APP SW3. In the table in SW4.1, for “level B1”, substitute “level B2 or, where the applicant’s most recent permission was as a Skilled Worker and which was granted subject to a requirement at level B1, level B1”.
The following paragraphs shall take effect on 8 January 2026. In relation to those changes, if an application for entry clearance, for an Electronic Travel Authorisation, for permission to enter or for permission to stay, or an application for administrative review has been made before 8 January 2026, such applications will be decided in accordance with the Immigration Rules in force on 7 January 2026:
APP HPI5. In the table in HPI 4.1, for “level B1”, substitute “level B2.”.
- High Potential Individual visa: Knowledge of English (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Skilled Worker (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
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.
- Statement of Changes HC 1691: explanatory memorandum (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
5.62 These changes will come into force on 26 March 2027.
6.3 For the changes that introduce a visa requirement on Nicaragua and St Lucia, those changes will come into effect at 1500 GMT on 5 March 2026. All other changes will come into effect on various dates from 26 March 2026 and are detailed in the implementation section of the Statement of Changes.
How each figure is checked: Sources and method.
This is general information about the rules, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, use a solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (gov.uk).