Ielts Question

I’m applying to bring my husband to the UK with a settlement visa. I’m a British Citizen so do not qualify under EEA rules.

My husband took his Ielts exam in August 2018 and passed

I was unwell so couldn’t apply for the visa immediately

Applied for biometrics and passport refused at the biometrics centre as less than 6 months left on his passport, told to get a new passport, told to seek a refund and apply again

Got new passport with new passport number

Ielts certIficate is with old passport number, which has now been taken off him and retained as is the practise in his country. So no longer have it.

Ielts I think expires after 2 years is this correct? Pls confirm

Ielts you cannot retake it until it has expired - this is mentioned on their website . Is this correct please confirm

Will the home office expect the passport number which is listed on the ielts certificate as ID number to be the same as the passport he is applying with ?

Can they refuse because of that ?

I would appreciate if anyone knows the answer and or a solution.

Called the home office this evening and charged a lot of money, for the answer “we don’t really know”. Totally useless and a complete rip off

Thanks

Was that ielts test was life skills A1/A2/B1? If yes then try to request its copy from ielts authority or redo it.

Thank you for your reply

He took A1 but his English is better than most native English speakers

Anyway as I mentioned below

1. You cannot retake Ielts until it expires, Ielts as I understand is valid for 2 years

My question was as stated above, can you use an Ielts with a different passport number on it?

Thanks I hope someone can answer

AlunaAluna wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 20, 2018 7:55 pm

Thank you for your reply

He took A1 but his English is better than most native English speakers

Anyway as I mentioned below

1. You cannot retake Ielts until it expires, Ielts as I understand is valid for 2 years

My question was as stated above, can you use an Ielts with a different passport number on it?

Thanks I hope someone can answer

If you either attached old passport with application or if not then have given the detail of it on form then your ielts with different number should be fine. But you need to have officially issued copy of ielts to be acceptable.

Pls read my question

Original passport is not available, as in his country old passports are retained.

Do have a photocopy
Do have a home office document with a photocopy of his old passport and passport number stamped and signed by them...

I just want a clear answer of the protocol regarding Ielts and not leave it to being “subjective” - very dangerous indeed when it comes to the Home Office...

So my question - definitive answers only pls -
Can you have a different passport number on you or Ielts Certificate to the one you are providing for the application?

Thank you

AlunaAluna wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 20, 2018 11:30 pm

Pls read my question

Original passport is not available, as in his country old passports are retained.

Do have a photocopy
Do have a home office document with a photocopy of his old passport and passport number stamped and signed by them...

I just want a clear answer of the protocol regarding Ielts and not leave it to being “subjective” - very dangerous indeed when it comes to the Home Office...

So my question - definitive answers only pls -
Can you have a different passport number on you or Ielts Certificate to the one you are providing for the application?

Thank you

You didn't understand what has been advised earlier. Let me rephrase it again perhaps in easiest tone. As you said that your previous passport has been retained but be remembered you still need to write its detail on form and the reason of not attaching it and if you mentioning it on form then your ielts test with different (previous) passport number will be fine. I hope it clarify you now.

Hello

I understood quite perfectly, I am very capable of reading and understanding written English....

I am not searching for a “might be” solution....

As I requested could somebody advise

1. The official protocol of Ielts Application certificates when applying for a settlement Visa. Is it generally accepted to proceed with an Ielts certificate that was issued with a differing passport number - an old one in this case - for the visa application with a new passport?

2. Is there any definitive protocol regarding requirements for Ielts certificates as part of the applications, requirements outlined to Caseworkers reviewing visa applications?

Seagull thank you for your replies, but I would really appreciate a definitive answer from someone who would know either way. Thank you for your personal advice on the matter but I would like another member to answer who may know the definitive answer if any and has come across this scenario previously. And if this is yet another example of the Home Office applying rules and regulations with no definitive protocol to follow, as I have already found to be the case.

Thank you kindly

With all due respect, you are slightly overthinking.

Ielts I think expires after 2 years is this correct? Pls confirm

Correct.

Ielts you cannot retake it until it has expired - this is mentioned on their website . Is this correct please confirm

Never heard of this. This is not an HO rule. Many have retaken IELTS even with a current valid one still in hand.

Will the home office expect the passport number which is listed on the ielts certificate as ID number to be the same as the passport he is applying with ?

A simple covering letter will suffice to briefly explain about the passport renewal. Regardless of the 2 different passport numbers, he is obviously still the same individual applying for a visa.

Can they refuse because of that ?

No.

Thank you for your concise reply.

Just to advise you it is stated on the Ielts website that you can only take Ielts at the same level with a pass once until the certificate has expired. If you fail the Ielts you are free to retake as many times as you wish. This information is on the Ielts website.

I have had confirmation from a barrister friend who consulted a colleague practising immigration law

One should normally provide a certified copy or the original passport to accompany the Ielts certificate with a cover letter. And yes application can be refused on grounds that the passport number on the certificate issued does not correlate to the one being used in application. Therefore an explanation is required as you mentioned. Although applications have rarely been rejected due to this, but there have been instances where this has resulted in a refusal, although rare.

Thank you everybody for taking the time to reply.

The alternative is to do a C1 test which is higher than the B1 and use the new passport.

Yes this is a very logical and viable solution!
Thanks again.