The Tory-LibDem coalition government announced on Wednesday that it will introduce compulsory English language tests for immigrants coming to marry or join their partners, who are citizens or permanent residents in Britain, from autumn this year.
All non-European immigrants, including those from India, will have to demonstrate basic communication skills that enable them to deal with everyday life before getting a visa to travel to the UK.
The previous Labour government had planned to introduce English tests from 2011 and the coalition government has advanced the implementation of the test to cut down numbers of people on spouse visa. The requirement of proficiency in English is likely to be imposed across different visa categories, home secretary Theresa May said on Wednesday. “This is only the first step. We are currently reviewing English language requirements across the visa system with a view to tightening the rules further in the future.”
All non-EU immigrants, wishing to enter the UK on spouse visa, have to apply for a two-year settlement visa initially. After two years, they are allowed to apply for indefinite leave to remain. “The rules will apply to spouses, civil partnerships, unmarried couples, same sex partners and fiancés, and will be compulsory for people applying from within the UK, as well as visa applicants from overseas,” the home office said.
The move will affect the Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities in Britain as they rely mostly on home countries for marriages. In 2009, 38,000 spouse visas were issued by the UK and 21,000 people on the visa were granted indefinite leave to remain. Immigrants wishing to move to the UK on spouse visa will have to demonstrate proficiency in basic English at A1 level, the same level required for skilled workers admitted under the Tier 2 of the points-based system.