If you plan to settle in the UK, the date to plan around is 26 March 2027. From then, the English language requirement for many indefinite leave to remain applications rises from B1 to B2. The change was added to the Immigration Rules in March 2026, with a year’s notice before it takes effect.

B2 is upper-intermediate English. It is often described as broadly equivalent to a foreign language A-level, while B1 is closer to GCSE level. For most settlement routes affected by the change, the rule wording focuses on speaking and listening. Even so, you should check the exact requirement for your route and approved test provider before booking.

If you assumed the B1 pass that helped you extend your visa would carry you through to permanent residence, that assumption may no longer hold.

The change follows a wider tightening of the system. New applicants on the Skilled Worker, Scale-up and High Potential Individual routes have needed B2 English for entry clearance or permission to stay since 8 January 2026. It sits alongside other reforms, including tighter rules for student dependants and the shifts that followed Brexit on the UK investor visa landscape.

What B2 actually means

The gap between B1 and B2 is real. Most people need structured practice, not a last-minute revision weekend. The Home Office has estimated that moving from B1 to B2 can take around 200 hours of learning.

Level	CEFR description	Rough equivalent	What you can do
B1, before 26 March 2027	Threshold, independent user	Foreign language GCSE	Handle routine conversation and familiar topics
B2, from 26 March 2027	Vantage, independent user	Foreign language A-level	Follow detailed discussion and communicate more confidently

You will still need to pass the Life in the UK test where it applies. The cost of settling has also climbed. From 8 April 2026, the ILR application fee is £3,226 per person, so a family of 4 faces £12,904 in application fees before English test, Life in the UK test, legal or priority service costs are added.

Who is exempt

Not everyone has to sit an English test. The usual settlement exemptions include applicants who are under 18 or aged 65 or over, and people with a physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement.

Nationals of majority English-speaking countries are treated as meeting the standard. A degree can also count if it meets the Home Office requirements. UK degrees are usually proven with the certificate, transcript or official letter. Overseas degrees may need confirmation from the UK’s qualification and language assessment provider, which replaced the old “Ecctis” wording in the Immigration Rules. You can check the official position in the GOV.UK English language requirement guidance.

How to prepare without leaving it late

Start with a proper assessment. Self-assessment is often too optimistic, especially where someone uses English at work but has not practised test conditions. If you are currently around B1, give yourself several months of steady study.

Use a Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test provider. Other certificates may not be accepted, even if they look similar. Make sure the test covers the level and components required for your route at the date you apply.

If your route to settlement feels less certain than it once did, early advice from a residency by investment lawyer in London can help you map your UK timeline against the new rules.

If the UK route no longer fits

Some people decide a longer, stricter path is not worth it, and look elsewhere. It is worth understanding the difference between residency and citizenship by investment before you commit, and whether a second passport would serve your goals better.

Routes that turn on investment rather than language include St Lucia citizenship by investment and the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship programme, both of which can provide mobility without residence conditions. In Europe, the Hungary golden visa and the Greece financially independent person visa offer residence on financial criteria, while Maltese citizenship by investment sits at the premium end.

If you are still comparing, our overview of the best golden visa options in Europe is a useful starting point, and a parallel route is the UK investor visa focused on strategic growth sectors.

Frequently asked questions

When does the B2 English requirement start for settlement?
It applies to many indefinite leave to remain applications submitted on or after 26 March 2027.

What is the difference between B1 and B2 English?
B1 is intermediate English. B2 is upper-intermediate and shows a stronger ability to follow discussion and communicate clearly.

Do I need to retake the English test if I already passed at B1?
If your settlement application is made on or after 26 March 2027 and no exemption applies, you may need to meet B2.

Who is exempt from the requirement?
Exemptions can include applicants under 18, applicants aged 65 or over, people with a qualifying condition, nationals of majority English-speaking countries and those with a recognised degree taught in English.

Plan your settlement strategy with confidence

The rules are firmer and the costs are higher, so the value of a clear plan has gone up. Speak to the Coates Global team about your route to UK settlement, or about an alternative that better fits your timeline. Book a consultation today and we will help you weigh your options properly.