skilled worker visa refusal

[Rubab78601]

We are currently without legal immigration status in the UK and, due to certain circumstances, are unable to return to our home country. I was previously in the UK on a student visa, with my husband and daughter as my dependants. However, our visas, including my BRP, expired on 1st March 2025.

In December 2024, my husband received a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), and we submitted his Skilled Worker visa application in January 2025. However, we later received a communication from the Home Office requesting proof of English language proficiency, as his bachelor's degree—although completed—was not accepted as sufficient evidence.

He attempted the IELTS exam twice but unfortunately scored 3.5 in the reading section both times, which did not meet the required standard. On Wednesday, 4th June 2025, we received a refusal decision from the Home Office, solely on the grounds of not meeting the English language requirement.

We are now in a very difficult and urgent situation and would greatly appreciate any serious legal advice regarding our options to remain in the UK legally.

[secret.simon]

due to certain circumstances, are unable to return to our home country.

You may have to expand on why you can't return to your home country.

his bachelor's degree—although completed—was not accepted as sufficient evidence.

Was his bachelor's degree completed in the UK? Had he received his graduation certificate and was that submitted in the application?

[Rubab78601]

we can't go, it means we have sacrifice our all savings, our assets, everything, just to come here for our daughter's future, and his degree is from Pakistan, not from here.

[secret.simon]

we can't go, it means we have sacrifice our all savings, our assets, everything, just to come here for our daughter's future

That sounds more like a case of you don't want to return as opposed to you can't return due to circumstances outside your control, such as threats to your life, etc. The Home Office is going to give no weight to your feelings on that.

his degree is from Pakistan, not from here.

Did he get his degree verified by Ecctis/NARIC and did he submit the verification along with the application? Merely having a bachelors degree is not enough for meeting the language requirement. If the degree is from a non-English speaking country, such as Pakistan, it is not sufficient to just having the degree. Ecctis or NARIC need to have verified that the degree was taught in English.

He attempted the IELTS exam twice but unfortunately scored 3.5 in the reading section both times, which did not meet the required standard.

That is concerning. If he did his degree in English, there would be an expectation that he would be able to read and write in English.

In any case, wait for others to advise on this point, but I thought that UKV&I's tests only required speaking and listening scores, not reading and writing (though that may be only for spousal visas and skilled workers visas may have higher standards, so wait for others to advise further).

[razergd1]

Unfortunately in this case skilled worker visa requires B1 level on all 4 subjects. E.g. speaking, listening, reading and writing. So the refusal sounds correct.

[lolo2]

An IELTS score of 3.5 is equivalent to an A2 CEFR level.

It would be really hard - if not impossible - for someone with that level of English to complete a university programme in English, even if such programme is taught in a non-English speaking country.

Having a Bachelors degree itself is not a proof of knowledge of English.

Why you didn't apply for example for a Graduate visa (or a Skilled worker visa on your own) before expiry date of your Student visa?

Now you became an overstayer and every day you remain like this is adding to your overstaying situation. The advice here is always to avoid being an overstayer.