Advice needed FLR(M)

[arisdavid]

My wife had been granted a 2 year Spouse Visa. She had to delay her travel by more than 3 months due to doctor's advice not to travel. She was 8 months pregnant with our son at that time. This would mean that her Spouse Visa would expire 2 months before she reaches the 2 year qualifying period to apply for ILR.

I understand that she would need to apply for an extension FLR(M) to bridge this gap. In section 8 of the FLR(M) form, there is a question about passing a UKBA approved English Language Test. Now, my wife had taken the life in the UK exam. She pass this exam.

My question is, is she still required to Pass a UKBA Approved English Test to qualify for an extension or is life in the UK test a sufficient proof of her knowledge of the language and life in the UK?

Thanks,

Aris

[Mr Rusty]

The actual wording of the rule says this:

the applicant provides an original English language test certificate in speaking and listening from an English language test provider approved by the Secretary of State for these purposes, which clearly shows the applicant's name and the qualification obtained (which must meet or exceed level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference)

Whilst you might reasonably argue that a "Life in the UK" pass should "meet or exceed level A1", she must be able to produce a certificate issued by one of the listed English Test providers. The list current until April 6th 2011 is here:-

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitec ... rtners.pdf

If her Life in the UK test provider is on that list then her certificate should be valid in my opinion.

However, please note that UKBA have just completed a further round of applications from Test Providers for the so-called 'A1' Test (and all the other tests for Tier 2 and Tier 4 applicants), and many of the companies listed on the link above will not be included. Therefore if she needs to take an 'A1' test she should refer to the new list which UKBA might condescend to publish any day now.

[arisdavid]

Thank you for responding. It's quicker to get an answer here, sometimes I wait about 15 -20 minutes on the line. I'll call them again to double check.

The test centre is not the list.