English B1 requirement at ILR — evidence map (Appendix English Language)

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."