English B1 requirement at ILR — evidence map (Appendix English Language)
Maps English B1 CEFR evidence routes for Indian ILR applicants (PTE Academic / IELTS Life Skills / degree-in-English).
UKEnglish B1Appendix English LanguagePTEIELTS Life SkillsILR
At ILR application, Appendix KOL + Appendix English Language requires English at B1 CEFR level (lower than the typical degree-level Student visa B2 requirement).
For [CLIENT_NAME] applying ILR:
§1 — APPENDIX ENGLISH LANGUAGE — B1 REQUIREMENT (100-120 words)
ILR English requirement (per Appendix English Language):
▪ B1 CEFR = "Independent User — Threshold"
▪ Can understand main points of clear standard speech
▪ Can describe experiences and ambitions
▪ Can write simple connected text on familiar topics
Three routes to satisfy:
Route A — Nationality:
▪ Majority English-speaking country list (UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, NZ, Canada, etc.)
▪ India is NOT on this list
Route B — Academic Qualification:
▪ Degree taught + assessed in English
▪ UK NARIC / ENIC equivalency may be required
▪ Most Indian Bachelor's degrees from recognised universities qualify
Route C — Approved SELT (Secure English Language Test):
▪ IELTS UKVI Life Skills B1
▪ PTE Academic UKVI [VERIFY current acceptance]
▪ Trinity College ISE
▪ LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
§2 — IELTS UKVI LIFE SKILLS B1 (80-100 words)
The most common B1 SELT for ILR applicants:
▪ Tests Speaking + Listening only (NOT Reading/Writing)
▪ 22-minute oral exam (2 candidates per session)
▪ Test centres in major UK cities + India
▪ Fee: GBP 150-200 in UK; INR 12,000-15,000 in India
▪ Result: Pass or Fail (no band score)
▪ Validity: 2 years from test date
▪ Book via ielts.org
Advantages:
▪ No written / reading test = faster preparation
▪ Conversational style + everyday topics
▪ Lower entry bar than Academic IELTS
§3 — DEGREE-IN-ENGLISH ROUTE FOR INDIAN APPLICANTS (120-150 words)
If [PRIOR_DEGREE] is:
▪ Bachelor's (B.A. / B.Sc / BTech / BBA / B.Com) from a recognised Indian university taught + assessed in English
Most Indian Bachelor's degrees from major institutions are recognised:
▪ IITs, IIMs, IISc — clearly English-medium
▪ Delhi University, Mumbai University, Calcutta University — accept
▪ Most state and private universities (BITS Pilani, VIT, Manipal, SRM, Amity, etc.)
For lesser-known Indian universities:
▪ ENIC-UK equivalency letter may be required (GBP 75-150)
▪ University admissions team can issue letter confirming language of instruction
▪ Some state universities have variable medium of instruction — verify
If applicant has done UK Master's:
▪ UK Master's degree is automatically English-evidenced (no additional proof needed)
§4 — RELYING ON PREVIOUS UK VISA ENGLISH EVIDENCE (80-100 words)
Important nuance:
▪ At ILR, the same English evidence used for previous Skilled Worker visa GENERALLY satisfies B1 requirement
▪ Applicant must show: previously demonstrated English at B1 or higher
▪ Common scenarios:
- Tier 4 / Student visa with B2 evidence → covers B1 ILR
- Tier 2 General with B1 evidence → covers ILR
- Skilled Worker with degree-in-English → covers ILR
▪ If previous English evidence was at A2 (visitor / dependant rapid B1 may be required)
For [PRIOR_VISA_ENGLISH]: confirm B1 or higher equivalence.
§5 — RECOMMENDED PATH FOR THIS APPLICANT (80-100 words)
Based on [PRIOR_DEGREE] + [PRIOR_VISA_ENGLISH] + [CURRENT_VALID_EVIDENCE]:
If applicant has:
▪ UK Master's degree → Use as English evidence (no test needed)
▪ Indian Bachelor's from recognised university (degree-in-English) → Use as English evidence
▪ Previous Skilled Worker visa with B1+ evidence → Re-use same evidence
▪ NONE of above → Take IELTS UKVI Life Skills B1 (4-6 weeks prep + test)
For [CLIENT_NAME]: recommended path = [decide based on inputs].
§6 — TIMING + BOOKING (60-80 words)
If taking SELT:
▪ 6-8 weeks before ILR application — book IELTS UKVI Life Skills B1
▪ Test centres in UK: London, Manchester, Birmingham, etc.
▪ Test centres in India (if applying from India): Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore
▪ Validity: 2 years from test date
▪ Re-test if failed: 7 days minimum gap
§7 — EVIDENCE FILE FOR ILR APPLICATION (60-80 words)
Submit with ILR application:
□ IELTS UKVI Life Skills B1 certificate (if taken), OR
□ Degree certificate + transcript from English-medium university, OR
□ UK Master's degree certificate (most efficient), OR
□ ENIC-UK equivalency letter (if foreign degree language unclear), OR
□ Reference to previous SELT certificate used for Skilled Worker visa
End with: "DRAFT — for OISC/IAA-registered adviser or solicitor review. For Indian applicants, the cleanest path is usually a recognised English-medium Bachelor's degree (most major Indian universities qualify). If applicant intends to apply for British Citizenship later, the same B1 evidence carries forward — no additional test needed."Purchase the vault to unlock