Rule changes
B2 English for settlement (ILR) from 26 March 2027: what changes
Alex Monteiro
15 October 2026 · 3 min read
B2 · 2027
I read the UK government's official document (the Statement of Changes HC 1691, published on 5 March 2026) so I could explain, without the legal jargon, what changes in the English you need for settlement. In short: from 26 March 2027, people applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) on most work and family routes will need English at B2 instead of B1. Here is what that means for you.
What changes
- The English language requirement for settlement goes up from B1 to B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), on the routes where it is B1 today.
- It applies to applications made on or after 26 March 2027. Applications made before that date still need B1.
- It also applies to people who are already on a route to settlement. The government delayed the start until 26 March 2027 to give them time to prepare.
Which routes are affected
According to the explanatory memorandum, the change covers the routes in Appendix KoLL and these appendices of the Immigration Rules: Skilled Worker, Tier 2 Minister of Religion, Representative of an Overseas Business, UK Ancestry, Global Talent, Scale-up, Innovator Founder, International Sportsperson, Child Relative (Sponsors with Protection), Long Residence, Bereaved Partner, Private Life and Settlement Family Life.
For Skilled Worker and Scale-up, the English requirement will also be checked at the settlement stage, not only when the visa was first granted. Check on gov.uk whether your own route is on the list.
What does not change
The change is about the level of English. The Life in the UK Test is a separate requirement and is not removed by this change, so people who need it for settlement still have to pass it.
What you can do now
- Work out the date when you can apply for settlement. If it is before 26 March 2027, the B1 level applies to an application made before that date.
- If you will apply after that date, start preparing for a B2 English test early, and check that the test and provider are on the Home Office list of approved English tests.
- Get the Life in the UK Test out of the way while you prepare for English, so it does not hold up your application.
- For your own case, speak to a regulated immigration adviser.
Frequently asked questions
+When does the B2 English requirement for ILR start?
It applies to settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027. Applications made before that date need B1.
+Does it apply if I am already on a Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. The government says the change applies to people already on a pathway to settlement, and for Skilled Worker the English requirement is also checked at the settlement stage.
+Does the change remove the Life in the UK Test?
No. The change raises the level of English. The Life in the UK Test is a separate requirement.
+Does the B2 rule apply to Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders?
No. In March 2026 the Home Office confirmed that the BN(O) route is not affected: settlement on the BN(O) route still needs English at B1. The Life in the UK Test is still required.
Official sources
- Statement of changes to the Immigration Rules: HC 1691, 5 March 2026 (GOV.UK)
- Explanatory memorandum to HC 1691, paragraphs 5.60 to 5.62 (GOV.UK)
- Hong Kong Watch: BN(O) visa not impacted by Home Office changes to the language requirement for settlement (6 March 2026)
This post is for information only and is not legal advice. For your own case, check gov.uk or speak to a regulated immigration adviser.
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