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Tier 1 (Exceptional talent)

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Extension applications

This page describes the requirements that you must meet if you are currently in the UK under Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) of the points-based system, and you want to extend your permission to stay here.

Economically active

You will score 75 points if:

  • you are economically active in your expert field, as previously endorsed by a designated competent body, in employment and/or self-employment; and
  • that designated competent body has not withdrawn its endorsement of you.

The Documents section describes that documents that you will need to provide with your application to prove that you are economically active.

English language

English is the UK's most widely spoken language. The ability to speak English competently improves your potential to succeed in the UK labour market, and assists in integration into the UK. Therefore, you will need to show that you have a good knowledge of English.

You will score 10 points and meet the English language requirement if you:

  • are a national of a majority English speaking country; or
  • pass an English language test approved by us; or
  • hold a degree that was taught in English and is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or above.

You can also meet the English language requirement, without the need to provide evidence, if you have:

  • ever been granted leave under Tier 2 (General) under the Immigration Rules in place on or after 6 April 2011, having already provided evidence of having a knowledge of English equivalent to level B1 of the CEFR or above; or
  • ever been granted leave under Tier 1 (General), Tier 1 (Entrepreneur), Tier 1 (Post study), and Tier 2 (Minister of religion) under the Immigration Rules in place on or after 19 April 2007; or
  • leave to remain as a Tier 1 (Exceptional talent). You will only score points for English language if you have already had an extension of Leave to Remain as a Tier 1 (Exceptional talent) Migrant and have previously satisfied the English language requirement.

To find out whether you will meet any of these criteria, see 'More information' below.

The Documents section explains what you will need to submit with your application to prove that you meet the English language requirement.

If you have a disability (such as hearing difficulties), you will not be exempt from the English language requirement. If you will need to pass an English language test in order to meet the requirement, you should contact a test provider for details of the support that can be provided while you take the test.

If you cannot score 10 points for English language, we will refuse your application, even if you score 75 points for being economically active and meet all the other requirements of the Immigration Rules.

More information

  • Are you a national of a majority English speaking country?

    If you are a national of one of these countries, you automatically meet the English language requirement:

    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Australia
    • the Bahamas
    • Barbados
    • Belize
    • Canada
    • Dominica
    • Grenada
    • Guyana
    • Jamaica
    • New Zealand
    • St Kitts and Nevis
    • St Lucia
    • St Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • the USA
  • What is an approved English language test?

    We will only accept English language test certificates from education providers that have been assessed as meeting our requirements. You can download a list of acceptable tests from the right side of this page.

    You must check that you have passed an English language test that is on the list, and is still within its validity period. You must have achieved at least CEFR level B1 in all 4 components (reading, writing, speaking and listening).

    You can make your application before you have taken or received the results of an English language test. If the test provider confirms that you have sat a test or have a confirmed date to take the test, we will hold your application open so that you can complete this process. But if you do not pass the test on the first attempt, we will not hold your application open so that you can make more attempts.
  • Do you hold an acceptable degree taught in English?

    To demonstrate that you meet the English language requirement, your degree must:

    • be recognised by the National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the UK (UK NARIC) as being equivalent to at least a UK bachelor's degree; and
    • have been taught in English to a standard comparable to that of level C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

    If your degree was taken in one of these countries, we will assume that it was taught in English:

    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Australia
    • the Bahamas
    • Barbados
    • Belize
    • Dominica
    • Grenada
    • Guyana
    • Ireland
    • Jamaica
    • New Zealand
    • St Kitts and Nevis
    • St Lucia
    • St Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • the UK
    • the USA

    Please note that Canada is not on this list.

    We will assess your degree using our points-based calculator, which contains information from UK NARIC. You will meet the English language requirement if the calculator confirms that your degree:

    • is at or above the level of a UK bachelor's degree; and
    • was taught to a competent standard of English equivalent to level C1 on the CEFR.

    If the points-based calculator cannot confirm these details, you will not meet the requirement.

    You can use the points-based calculator, which you can find on the right side of this page, to check your degree before you apply. If you cannot find details of your degree on the calculator, UK NARIC will not be able to verify whether you meet the English language requirement. In that case, you should present an alternative qualification or select another way of showing that you meet the English language requirement.

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