ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) currently requires B1 English. If you are applying for ILR in 2026, B1 is the standard. The requirement rises to B2 for ILR applications made on or after 26 March 2027. Separately, Skilled Worker visa applications already need B2 from 8 January 2026 — but that is the visa stage, not the ILR settlement stage.
Not sure if B2 applies to you? Use our free B1 or B2 English checker. It takes 30 seconds.
If you are applying for ILR now, check your B1 level with our free checker before booking an official test.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| ILR English requirement now (2026) | B1 (CEFR) |
| ILR English requirement from 26 March 2027 | B2 (CEFR) |
| Skilled Worker visa applications (new grants) | B2 from 8 January 2026 |
| Skilled Worker visa extensions | Usually B1 if your earlier permission was granted at B1 |
| Who the 2027 ILR change covers | Almost every ILR route with an English requirement, including spouses, partners, parents and dependants |
| Skills needed for ILR | Speaking and listening (but every approved B2 test today also tests reading and writing) |
| Citizenship English requirement | B1 (unchanged) |
| Accepted B1 tests | IELTS Life Skills B1, PTE Home B1, Trinity GESE Grade 5, LanguageCert ESOL SELT B1 (speaking and listening) |
| Accepted B2 tests | IELTS for UKVI 5.5 in each skill, PTE Academic UKVI 59, LanguageCert Academic/General SELT 60, LanguageCert ESOL SELT B2, Trinity ISE II |
| Exemptions | Under 18 or 65+, long-term condition, exempt nationality, English-taught degree, 15 years' continuous leave on certain routes |
| Test validity | Must be passed in the 2 years before you apply |
Quick Overview
✅ ILR applications in 2026 still require B1 English — not B2
✅ B2 for ILR does not apply until 26 March 2027
✅ Citizenship by naturalisation requires B1 — this has not changed
⚠️ B2 is required for Skilled Worker visa applications (new grants) from 8 January 2026 — this is the visa stage, not ILR
⚠️ Many people are confusing the January 2026 visa change with an ILR change — they are different
📌 If your ILR application will be submitted after 26 March 2027, start preparing for B2 now
📌 Exemption categories (nationality, degree, age, disability) apply at whatever level is required at the time
💡 A B2 certificate clearly meets the B1 standard — if you have B2, you are covered for both ILR (now) and citizenship
💡 If you are close to your ILR date, apply under B1 rules now — do not wait until March 2027
What Changed in January 2026 — And What Did Not
On 8 January 2026, the Home Office raised the English language requirement for Skilled Worker visa applications (new grants) from B1 to B2. This applies when you first apply for or renew a Skilled Worker visa.
This is not the same as the ILR settlement requirement.
The settlement (ILR) requirement rises to B2 separately, on 26 March 2027. ILR applications submitted before that date require B1.
So there are two changes on two different timelines:
- 8 January 2026 — B2 for Skilled Worker visa applications (new grants; extensions are usually B1 if your earlier permission was granted at B1 — check GOV.UK)
- 26 March 2027 — B2 for ILR on almost every route with an English requirement, including the family route (spouse, partner, parent) and dependants
On a spouse or partner visa, the earlier steps are lower: A1 for your first visa and A2 to extend. See the English test for spouse visa guide, the A2 English test, or find your level with the free English test checker.
What Level Do You Need Right Now
If you are applying for ILR in 2026 — the current standard is B1.
If you are applying for a Skilled Worker visa (first-time application or renewal) on or after 8 January 2026 — you need B2.
If you are applying for Skilled Worker ILR before 26 March 2027 — B1 still applies. On or after that date, you need B2.
If you are applying for citizenship — B1 (unchanged).
If your ILR application will be made on or after 26 March 2027 — start preparing for B2 now.
Which English Tests Are Accepted for ILR Now (B1)
The Home Office accepts tests from approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) providers. For B1 ILR, accepted options include:
IELTS Life Skills B1 Offered by British Council and IDP. Speaking and listening only. (The A1 and A2 levels are for family visas, not ILR.)
Trinity GESE Grade 5 In-person speaking assessment at B1 level.
LANGUAGECERT International ESOL B1 Speaking and listening, taken at a LanguageCert test centre. It cannot be taken online from home. See can you take the B1 English test online?
PTE Home B1 Pearson's speaking and listening test. Pass or fail.
PTE Academic UKVI A four-skill test. B1 means at least 43 in each skill.
Always check GOV.UK's approved SELT provider list before booking. Providers can be added or removed.
Which Tests Will Be Needed for ILR From March 2027 (B2)
For ILR, the rule is B2 in speaking and listening. But every B2 test on the Home Office's approved list today is a four-skill test. So in practice you will also sit reading and writing, unless a speaking-and-listening B2 test is approved before March 2027.
The approved B2 tests and minimum scores are:
| Test | Minimum score for B2 |
|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General Training) | 5.5 in each of the four skills |
| PTE Academic UKVI | 59 in each skill |
| LanguageCert Academic SELT or General SELT | 60 in each skill |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 | 33/50 in each skill |
| Trinity ISE II | Pass in each skill |
There is no "IELTS Life Skills B2", and PTE Home only goes up to B1.
Timing matters. Your test must be passed in the 2 years before you apply. An old B1 result will not count for an application made on or after 26 March 2027.
If you cannot reach B2: the new rules accept evidence of at least 75 guided learning hours (not self-study) in the 12 months before you apply, plus a teacher's view that you are unlikely to reach B2 with further study.
Not sure which level applies to you? Use our free B1 or B2 English checker.
Is B2 Much Harder Than B1?
B2 is one level above B1 on the CEFR scale. At B1, you can handle everyday situations and familiar topics. At B2, you can:
- Follow extended discussions on abstract and complex topics
- Read and understand English news and professional communications
- Express yourself clearly on a wide range of topics without obvious difficulty
For most people who have worked professionally in English in the UK for five years, B2 is achievable. But it does require preparation — do not assume your current level is B2 without testing it first.
Who Is Exempt From the English Requirement
The exemption categories apply at whatever level is required at the time of your application. You may not need an English test if:
Nationality: You are a national of a majority English-speaking country. The full list is on GOV.UK.
Degree taught in English: Your degree was taught and assessed in English. You need documentary evidence.
Age: You are under 18 or 65 or over on the date you apply.
Disability or health: A long-term condition prevents you from meeting the English requirement. You need a completed exemption form from your doctor.
Long residence: If you have had 15 years of continuous leave on certain routes, you are treated as meeting the requirement.
Verify your exemption on GOV.UK and gather evidence before applying.
Common Mistakes
❌ Thinking B2 is already required for ILR in 2026 The B2 requirement for ILR does not apply until 26 March 2027. If you apply for ILR before that date, B1 is sufficient. Paying for B2 preparation when B1 is all you need wastes time and money.
❌ Confusing the visa change with the ILR change B2 for Skilled Worker visa applications started 8 January 2026. B2 for ILR starts 26 March 2027. These are different things. Check which stage you are at before deciding which test to take.
❌ Waiting to apply for ILR because you are worried about B2 If you qualify for ILR under B1 rules now, apply now. You do not need to wait for the March 2027 change. Delaying your application helps nobody — and the B2 requirement will apply if you wait past March 2027.
❌ Not checking the approved SELT provider list Only tests from Home Office approved providers count. A general English qualification from an unapproved provider is not accepted.
❌ Leaving test booking too late Test slots fill up quickly in busy cities. Allow 6-8 weeks from booking to having your certificate.
❌ Assuming a Skilled Worker employer letter replaces all English evidence This provision has specific conditions. Check current GOV.UK guidance for your route.
Expert Tips
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If your ILR date is before March 2027, apply under B1 rules. Do not overcomplicate this. B1 is sufficient now. Apply as soon as you qualify.
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If your ILR date is after March 2027, prepare for B2 now. B2 tests take more preparation than B1. Start at least 6 months before your planned application.
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A B2 certificate covers both ILR and citizenship. If you have or need B2 for your visa, that certificate also meets the B1 citizenship standard. You do not need a separate lower-level test for citizenship.
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Do not book an online English exam. Every approved SELT, at B1 or B2, is taken in person at a test centre. LanguageCert's online exams are not SELTs and are not accepted. Book early if you live far from a centre.
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Check your exemption first. Many applicants are exempt from the English requirement entirely. Verify on GOV.UK before spending money on any test.
Practise your speaking and listening for free
The B1 test for ILR and citizenship is speaking and listening only. Our free B1 English test practice has every task type from IELTS Life Skills, PTE Home, LanguageCert and Trinity GESE Grade 5, plus 20 free B1 mock tests. Applying from 26 March 2027? Use our B2 practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What English level do you need for ILR in 2026?
B1. If you are applying for ILR in 2026, the current requirement is B1 English. The requirement increases to B2 for applications made on or after 26 March 2027.
When does the ILR English requirement change to B2?
The ILR English requirement rises to B2 for settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027. Applications submitted before that date require B1.
Does B2 apply to ILR from January 2026?
No. B2 applies to Skilled Worker visa applications (new grants) from 8 January 2026. That is the visa stage. The ILR settlement stage does not require B2 until 26 March 2027.
Which English tests are accepted for ILR?
For B1 ILR (current): IELTS Life Skills A2/B1, Trinity GESE Grade 5, LANGUAGECERT B1, PTE Academic UKVI. For B2 ILR (from March 2027): IELTS Academic/General at B2 level, Trinity ISE II, LANGUAGECERT B2, Pearson PTE Academic UKVI at B2 score. Note: there is no "IELTS Life Skills B2" — Life Skills only goes up to B1. Always check GOV.UK's current approved SELT provider list before booking.
Does the English requirement change for British citizenship?
No. Citizenship by naturalisation still requires B1 English. The changes to B2 affect visa applications and ILR — not citizenship.
Can I apply for ILR if I only have B1 English now?
Yes — if your application is submitted before 26 March 2027. B1 is the current ILR standard. You do not need B2 until the March 2027 change takes effect.
What happens if my ILR date falls after March 2027?
You will need B2 English evidence for your ILR application. Start preparing now — B2 takes more preparation than B1, and test slots fill up quickly.
How This Aligns With Official Guidance
The B2 requirement for ILR is set out in the Immigration Rules as amended from 26 March 2027. The B2 requirement for Skilled Worker visa applications is in force from 8 January 2026. The accepted SELT tests are listed on GOV.UK. Always check GOV.UK for the current rules for your specific route and application date.
Official Resources
- English language requirements — GOV.UK
- Indefinite leave to remain — GOV.UK
- Approved SELT providers list — GOV.UK
Related B1 English Guides
- Do I need a B1 English test for ILR? — full requirements, exemptions, accepted tests
- Which B1 test is easiest? — compare Trinity GESE, IELTS Life Skills and LANGUAGECERT
- How to prepare for the B1 English test — how to practise and what to expect on the day
Our Free Tools
The Life in the UK test is a separate ILR requirement. Use these free tools to prepare:
- Free B1 level check — 15 questions to check if your English is at B1
- 767 free practice questions — full question bank
- Free life in the uk mock tests — timed, 24 questions each
- Cheat sheet — key facts and dates
Check Your Timeline Now
If your ILR date is before 26 March 2027, apply under the current B1 rules — do not delay. If your date is after March 2027, start B2 preparation now. And do not forget the Life in the UK test — you need both requirements before your ILR application is complete.
Last reviewed: May 2026 — figures correct at time of publication. Always check GOV.UK for the latest requirements.