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Home Office changes to approved English language tests

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28 July 2014

NATECLA has learnt that, as of 1 August 2014, the Home Office will enforce certain changes related to the approved English Language Tests accepted for visa applicants.


The following points, which may be applicable to some ESOL departments, have been taken from a recently published government document entitled Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC532, 10 July 2014. The changes only apply to SELT (secure English language test) exams and affect visa applications, NOT applications for citizenship. Applications for citizenship DO NOT require a SELT.

Please contact Trinity, CIE or Cambridge English exams directly for further information: 

Key points from Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules HC523:

  • 7.14. Changes are being made to remove all tests provided by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) from the list of approved English language tests on 1 August 2014. This is a scheduled withdrawal at this provider’s request.
  • 7.15. Changes are also being made to remove specific tests provided by Cambridge English (the BULATS Online test) and Trinity College London (ESOL Skills for Life tests) from the list of approved English language tests on 1 August 2014. These changes are being made at the providers’ requests. Other listed tests from these two providers will continue to be accepted.
>> Download the full document. 

>> A list of approved providers will be published on the visas and immigration pages of the GOV.UK website on 1 August 2014: 

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