• UKBA to be split in two
• Biometric residence permits to be made compulsory for all stays over 6 months
• Online applications for Tier 2 and Tier 5 visas launched
• Changes to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) extensions for Business Persons and Innovators
• Revised student visa rules to come into effect on 5 April 2012
• Immigration fee increases proposed, changes due in April 2012
• ‘Apply online’ service will be unavailable from 10-12 February
• What does being British mean to you?
• Damian Green introduces idea of ‘contribution-based’ immigration system
• Phone lines now closed for biometric enrolment
• English language test requirements increased for Tier 1 and 2
• List of approved English language tests updated for Tiers 1, 2 and 4
• Biometric appointment booking service to be online only from February
• Online Tier 2 and 5 applications from February 2012
• Is immigration affecting unemployment?
• New application form for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
• Immigration expected to fall because of economy, not policy
• New procedure for Exception Talent visas with Arts Council endorsement
• Fees for appeals apply from December 2011
• Appeal against English language requirements for spouses and partners fails
• Biometric residence permits to be issued with ILR
• Apply Online and Sponsor management services unavailable on 3-4 December
• UK Net migration hits record levels
• Working rights restrictions to continue for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
• Skilled workers may have to meet minimum salary requirement for ILR
• Salary thresholds for sponsoring dependents proposed
• New Shortage Occupation List comes into effect
• Border control lapses put Home Secretary under pressure to resign
• New policy guidance on marriage visas for under-21s
• Over 500 colleges lose the right to sponsor students
• Unqualified financial institutions for Tier 4
• Settlement requirements amended for Tier 2 visas and work permits
• Shortage Occupation List reduced for skilled migrants
• Ban on marriage visas for under-21s thrown out by Supreme Court
• New style passports all now printed in the UK
• Further crackdown on immigration outlined by Prime Minister
• ‘We’re going to change the British citizenship test,’ says Prime Minister
• Changes to the Immigration Rules announced affecting Tier 2 visas
• New rules block stays in the UK for NHS debtors
• Fake university website closed down
• The Guardian asks, Do You Feel British?
• Apply Online service unavailable on Thursday 6 October
• Changes made to list of approved English language tests
• Online services unavailable on 30 September 2011
• UKBA announces changes for carers of British citizens
• 2012 editions are nearly here!
• Family migration consultation ‘to promote better integration’
• MAC advises shortage occupation list be restricted to limit migration
• UKBA request feedback on biometric residence permits
• Settlement consultation closes on 9 September
• UK Border Agency launches new website
• Student visas and International Baccalaureate qualifications
• Latest statistics show net migration up 21%
• The Migrant Journey - Second Report
• Marriage-related migration to the UK
• Biometric visa ‘clinic’ to open in Amsterdam
• Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) route opens
• UKBA launch improved online booking system
• Online services unavailable from 4-7 August
• Details of the Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) route confirmed
• New Tier 1 (Post-study work) forms and policy guidance published
• Payment methods for premium appointments in Glasgow and Cardiff
• Test booking process changes
• New chief executive of the UKBA announced
• Consultation announced on family migration
• Immigration Advisory Service enters into administration
• New approved English language tests and providers
• Changes to student visa rules implemented
• Further clarification on Tier 4 student visas
• UKBA strike action planned on 30 June
• Free extension of stay announced for skilled workers in closed work routes
• New forms published: EEA and BR1
• New scrutiny on private colleges
• More changes to student visas announced
• Breaking the link between temporary and permanent migration
• Q&A document on English language requirements for students
• Home Affairs committee finds UKBA failing to control immigration
• UKBA ‘reviewing’ impact of ECJ cases
• New immigration removal centre opened in Lincolnshire
• Test fee increased for Life in the UK test
• Net migration leaps by nearly 100,000
• Newport passport office to be closed to applications
• ‘Unnecessary’ immigration appeals curbed by new restrictions
• Passenger movement data to be tracked across the EU
• Tier 2 allocations made for April 2011
• Immigration Minister’s answers to your questions released
• Prime Minister defends immigration policy
• Reduced points based test calculator until summer 2011
• Changes to the ‘knowledge of language and life’ requirement for settlement
• ESOL rules change for ‘knowledge of life and language in the UK’ requirement
• Limits on Tier 2 visas and Tier 1 changes come into effect
• Damian Green answers your questions
• New immigration fees - April 2011
• Certificates of Approval abolished in May 2011
• BBC Oxford talks to lifeintheuk.net
• Finalised details of student visa programme announced
• NHS debtors to face restrictions on immigration
• Home Affairs Committee criticises student visa plans
• Re-entry bans reduced for voluntary departures
• Details of Tier 1 Investor and Entrepreneur visas announced

English language test requirements increased for Tier 1 and 2

From April 2012 Tier 1 and 2 migrants will not be eligible to apply for leave to remain until they have passed an accredited English language test.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) are removing the provisions from the Immigration Rules that currently allow applicants to apply before they have taken an English test. The change will come into effect on 6 April 2012.

The UKBA state in their press release that these provisions were originally brought in to allow migrants to make their applications in good time before the availability of English language tests was confirmed.

Since these provisions were introduced the UKBA feel that the availability of accredited English language tests has increased and that the supply now matches the demand. This means that the UKBA feel that migrants can now take an English language test in good time before having to make an application for leave to remain.

As the rule only comes into effect on 6 April 2012 any applications made before that date do not need to be accompanied with evidence of passing an approved English language test. You will still need to pass the test before you application can be approved, if it is one of the requirements for your visa.

Any applications received after the 6 April 2012 must be accompanied by evidence that you have passed an approved test or they will be rejected.