Jump to content

Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

Image of entrepreneurs

Evidence of your English language ability

This page describes the documents that you must provide to prove your English language ability, if you are applying under Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) of the points-based system.

For more information about this requirement, see the Claiming points for English language page.

You do not need to provide evidence of your English language ability if you have ever been given permission to stay under:

  • Tier 2 (General) - under the Rules in place on or after 6 April 2011, provided that when you were granted that leave you obtained points for having a knowledge of English equivalent to level B1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning or above; or 
  • Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) - providing you scored points for your English language ability in that application; or
  • Minister of Religion - under the Rules in place on or after 19 April 2007; or
  • Tier 2 (Minister of religion) - provided that when you were that leave you obtained points for English language for being a national of a majority English speaking country, a degree taught in English, or passing an English language test.

You do not need to provide evidence of your English language ability if you were last given permission to stay in the UK:

  • under Tier 1 (General) or Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) and are applying for an extension of leave to remain; or
  • as a Businessperson (under Paragraphs 200-210 of the Immigration Rules); or
  • as a Highly Skilled Migrant Programme participant under the Immigration Rules which came into force on 5 December 2006 and you are applying for an extension of leave to remain under a Tier 1 category.

Nationals of majority English-speaking countries

If you want to show that you meet the English language requirement because you are a national of a majority English-speaking country, you should provide your current valid original passport or travel document.

If you cannot provide your current original passport or travel document at the time of your application, you must give full reasons for this in the 'Passport information' section of the application form.

We may allow you to provide alternative specified documents if your current passport or travel document has been:

  • lost or stolen;
  • returned to the relevant authorities because it has expired; or
  • sent to another part of the UK Border Agency.

The alternative specified documents are

  • your current national identity document; or
  • an original letter from your home government or embassy. This letter must be original, on the government or embassy's letter-headed paper, and bearing its official stamp. It must have been issued by an authorised official, and must confirm your full name, date of birth; and nationality.

We will not allow you to provide alternative documents in any other circumstances.

back to top

Approved English language test

If you want to show that you meet the English language requirement because you have passed an English language test approved by us, you must provide your original test result certificate.

The certificate must clearly show:

  • your name;
  • a valid date
  • the qualification obtained; and
  • the date of the award

back to top

Degree taught in English

If you want to show that you meet the English language requirement because you hold an acceptable degree taught in English, you should provide the original certificate of your award.

This certificate must be original, and must clearly show:

  • your name
  • the title of the award
  • the date of the award
  • the name of the awarding institution

Original provisional certificates are not acceptable.

You must provide the original certificate of your award unless:

  • you have successfully completed your degree but you are awaiting graduation; or 
  • you no longer have the certificate and the awarding institution cannot issue a replacement.

In either of those situations, you must provide the original academic reference from the institution, and the original academic transcript. Both documents must be on the institution's official headed paper.

The original academic reference must clearly show:

  • your name
  • the title of the award
  • confirmation that the certificate will be or has been issued
  • the date that the certificate will be issued, or confirmation that the institution cannot issue a replacement

The original academic reference will not be suitable evidence if it does not state which qualification has been awarded.

The academic transcript must clearly show:

  • your name
  • the name of the academic institution
  • the course title
  • confirmation of the award

You should ensure that the contact details for the awarding body are up to date. If we need to verify the details and we cannot contact the institution, we will not accept this evidence and may therefore refuse your application.

back to top

Policy & Law

Related documents