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Tier 2 (Minister of religion)

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English language

This page explains how you can score points for your English language ability when you apply under Tier 2 (Minister of religion) of the points-based system.

You must read the Tier 2 policy guidance before you apply. You can download the guidance from the right side of this page. The guidance is based on Part 6A of the Immigration Rules.

You must score 10 points for your English language ability, or your application will be refused.

You can score 10 points if you:

  • are a national of a majority English speaking country; or
  • pass an approved English language test; or
  • hold a degree that was taught in English and is the same as a UK bachelor's degree.

You can also meet the English language requirement and score 10 points without having to send further evidence if:

  • you have been given permission to stay in the past under Tier 1 (General) or the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme after 7 November 2006; or
  • you were given permission to stay in the past under Tier 2 (Minister of religion) and are applying to extend your stay;
  • you are applying because you have changed jobs, and you have already given us evidence that you meet the English language requirement under Tier 2 (Minister of religion); or
  • you are applying because you have changed jobs, and you have been given permission to stay in the past as a minister of religion under the old rules on or after 19 April 2007.

If you are a national of a majority English speaking country

You must have 10 points for English language. These will be awarded if you are a national of a majority English language speaking country listed below:

  • 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;
  • United States of America.

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If you have passed or are taking an English language test

We will award you 10 points for English language if you pass a test on our list of approved English language tests at level B2 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

You can download this list from the right side of this page. Only test certificates from providers on this list will be accepted.

If you have a disability (for example, hearing difficulties), you are not exempt from the English language requirement. You should contact a test provider for details of support you can receive while you take the test.

If you are waiting to take an English language test or waiting for your test result

If you applying to extend your stay under Tier 2, you may need to send your application before you have taken, or received the results of a test.

If you have met all other requirements to get permission to stay under Tier 2, you have 10 working days from the date of your application to tell us when you will sit your test.

You must send a letter telling us when you will sit your test to:

UK Border Agency
PO Box 3468
Sheffield
S3 8WA

Once you have sat your test, you must send your certificate within 5 working days to the same address.

If you give confirmation from the test provider that you have taken a test or have a confirmed date to take the test we will continue to hold the application open. We will finish assessing your application when you then send an English language test certificate.

If you do not pass the test on the first attempt, the application will not be held open to allow you to try again. You will not meet the English language requirement and your application will be refused.

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If you have a degree taught in English

We will award you 10 points for English language if you have a degree which is the same as a United Kingdom bachelor's level and which was taught or researched in English to a particular level.

The qualification must:

  • be recognised by National Academic Recognition Information Centre for the UK (UK NARIC) as equivalent to at least a UK bachelor's degree; and
  • have been taught in English.

We assume that a degree was taken in a majority English speaking country listed below will have been 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 United Kingdom;
  • the United States of America.

Canada is not on this list.

If the degree was taken in another country, we assess your qualification using the points-based calculator, which you can find on the right of this page. The calculator contains information on whether overseas qualifications are the same as a UK bachelor's level or higher provided by UK NARIC.

You can claim points if the points-based calculator confirms that:

  • your degree is the same level as a United Kingdom bachelor's degree; and
  • the degree was taught to a competent standard of English equivalent to level C1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR); or
  • you include a letter with your application from your university confirming your degree was taught in English.

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Checking qualifications

You should check your qualification by using the points-based calculator, which you can find on the right of this page.

If you cannot find your qualification on the points-based calculator, we will refuse your application.

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Application forms

Tier 2 policy guidance

Choose a different form

See also

Do it online

Terms explained

  • Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

    A series of descriptions of abilities, accepted worldwide, that sets clear targets for achievement in learning a language.

  • UK NARIC

    The UK National Recognition Information Centre (UK NARIC) is the only official source of information on vocational, academic and professional qualifications awarded in more than 180 countries worldwide. A national agency managed on behalf of the UK government, it compares overseas qualifications with those in the UK, and provides information on qualifications and education systems outside the UK.

All glossary terms

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Related documents

Internet links