Knowledge of Language and Life in UK

Knowledge of language and life in
the UK
Version 29.0
This guidance tells you about the knowledge of language and life requirement for
those applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or British citizenship.
Page 1 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Contents
Contents......................................................................................................................... 2
About this guidance ....................................................................................................... 4
Contacts ..................................................................................................................... 4
Publication.................................................................................................................. 4
Changes from last version of this guidance .............................................................. 4
Knowledge of language and life in the UK.................................................................... 5
Background ................................................................................................................ 5
Indefinite leave to remain .......................................................................................... 5
Applications for settlement under simplified routes made after 1 December 2020 . 6
Naturalisation as a British citizen .............................................................................. 6
Exemption because of age ............................................................................................ 7
Indefinite leave ........................................................................................................... 7
Naturalisation ............................................................................................................. 7
Evidence of age ......................................................................................................... 7
Exemption because of physical or mental condition .................................................... 8
When to exercise discretion ...................................................................................... 8
How to exercise discretion......................................................................................... 9
Evidence of physical or mental condition .................................................................. 9
Applications which are not subject to specific medical waiver evidence
requirements .......................................................................................................... 9
Knowledge of English language.................................................................................. 11
Overseas applicants ................................................................................................ 11
National of a majority English-speaking country ........................................................ 13
Evidence................................................................................................................... 13
Speaking and listening qualification at B1 level ......................................................... 15
Applications made on or after 12 November 2015 for naturalisation and on or after
19 November 2015 for ILR ...................................................................................... 15
Indefinite leave applications................................................................................. 15
Naturalisation applications ................................................................................... 15
Applications for naturalisation before 12 November 2015 or ILR before 19
November 2015 ....................................................................................................... 15
Evidence................................................................................................................... 16
Validity of qualifications ........................................................................................... 17
Degree qualifications ................................................................................................... 19
Majority English-speaking countries........................................................................ 19

Non-majority English-speaking countries................................................................ 19
Evidence from NARIC.............................................................................................. 19
Evidence of degree .................................................................................................. 20
Diplomas .................................................................................................................. 20
Life in the UK test ........................................................................................................ 22
Acceptable test ........................................................................................................ 22
United Kingdom.................................................................................................... 22
Channel Islands and Isle of Man ......................................................................... 22
Overseas .............................................................................................................. 22
Format of the test ..................................................................................................... 22
Evidence the applicant has passed the Life in the UK test .................................... 22
Before 1 October 2019......................................................................................... 22
Between 1 October 2019 and 17 December 2019.............................................. 23
From 17 December 2019 ..................................................................................... 23
Identification documents .......................................................................................... 24
Returning documents so applicant can take the test: indefinite leave ................... 24
Results of the applicant’s test: indefinite leave ........................................................... 26
Applications for indefinite leave ............................................................................... 26
Applications for limited leave ................................................................................... 26
False documents ......................................................................................................... 27
Meeting requirement after 15 years in the UK: indefinite leave ................................. 28
Evidence of KoLL: additional information requests .................................................... 30
Recording outcomes on CID / Atlas ............................................................................ 31

About this guidance
This guidance tells you about the knowledge of language and life requirement for
those applying for indefinite leave to remain or naturalisation as a British citizen.
Contacts
If you have any questions about the guidance and your line manager or senior
caseworker cannot help you or you think that the guidance has factual errors, then
email Nationality Policy team.
If you notice any formatting errors in this guidance (broken links, spelling mistakes
and so on) or have any comments about the layout or navigability of the guidance
then you can email the Guidance Rules and Forms team.
Publication
Below is information on when this version of the guidance was published:
• version 29.0
• published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024
Changes from last version of this guidance

Additional paragraph on page 8 informing caseworkers that applicants should
provide medical information alongside their completed medical exemption forms.
Related content
Contents

Knowledge of language and life in the
UK
This page tells you which applicants must meet the knowledge of language and life
(KoLL) in the UK requirement to be granted indefinite leave to remain or be
naturalised as a British citizen.
Background
The British Nationality Act 1981 provides that a person applying for naturalisation
must have sufficient knowledge of life in the United Kingdom, and of English, Welsh
or Scottish Gaelic. Regulations specify how a person can demonstrate knowledge of
English language and life in the UK, which is set out in this guidance.
Since 2007 the requirements for certain indefinite leave to remain applications have
included knowledge of English language and of life in the UK.
To meet the KoLL requirements for either indefinite leave to remain or naturalisation,
a person must meet both parts of the requirement:
• knowledge of language
• knowledge of life in the UK
Indefinite leave to remain

All those applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) under a route which requires
KoLL, must meet both parts of the requirement, unless they are exempt because of
their age or because of a physical or mental condition.
The following categories of people do not need to meet the KoLL requirement:
• victims of domestic violence

• foreign and Commonwealth citizens on discharge from HM Forces (including
Gurkhas)
• highly skilled migrants applying under the terms of the Highly Skilled Migrant
Programme (HSMP) judicial review, and their dependants
• bereaved spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners or same-sex partners of
people present and settled in the UK
• parents, grandparents and other dependent relatives of people present and
settled in the UK, applying under paragraph 317 of the Immigration Rules, even
if they are aged between 18 and 64
• adult dependent relatives, under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, even if
they are aged between 18 and 64
• retired persons of independent means
• people applying for ILR as a refugee
• people applying for ILR on the basis of discretionary leave

• people applying for ILR on the basis of humanitarian protection
• people applying for ILR outside the Immigration Rules, for example under
discretionary arrangements such as those for Gurkhas, widows, overage
dependants and orphans
• people applying for ILR as a stateless person
In addition, doctors, dentists, nurses or midwifes who have previously been granted
leave under Tier 2 (General), do not need to meet the English language requirement
for indefinite leave to remain. The exemption only applies to the knowledge of
English language requirement, and they are still required to satisfy the Knowledge of
Life in the UK.
Applications for settlement under simplified routes made

after 1 December 2020
Applications for settlement under the following routes are subject to separate
simplified Immigration Rules on English language and Knowledge of Life in the UK,
which can be found at Appendix English Language and Appendix KoL UK:
• Skilled Worker
• Representatives of an Overseas Business
• T2 Minister of Religion
• T2 Sportsperson
• UK Ancestry
• Global Talent
• Innovator
• T5 (Temporary Worker) International Agreement Workers who are private
servants in a diplomatic household
• Hong Kong British National (Overseas)
For these routes, refer to the guidance on Assessing the English Language
requirement to consider how these applicants meet the English language
requirements set out under the simplified rules. For Life in the UK the guidance
below continues to apply to these routes.
Naturalisation as a British citizen

All those applying for naturalisation must meet both parts of the KoLL requirement,
unless they are exempt because of their age, physical, mental condition or they are
exempt under the Windrush scheme (Windrush scheme casework guidance).
Related content
Contents
Exemption because of age: naturalisation
Exemption because of physical or mental condition
Categories not subject to knowledge of language and life: indefinite leave
Exemption because of age: indefinite leave

Exemption because of age
This section tells you when people are exempt from the knowledge of language and
life in the UK (KoLL) requirement, because of their age.
Indefinite leave
People aged under 18 years, or 65 years or older on the date of their application are
exempt from the KoLL requirement.
Naturalisation
There is discretion to waive the KoLL requirement if, because of a person’s age, it
would be unreasonable to expect them to meet it. This is set out in paragraph 2(1)(e)
of schedule 1 to the British Nationality Act 1981.
Where the applicant is aged 65 or over you must waive the requirement.
Where the applicant is aged 60 to 64, you must normally waive the requirement if the
time needed to reach the required standard means the applicant would then be aged
65 or over.
Where the applicant is aged under 60 you must not normally waive the requirement
based on age alone.
If you are intending to exercise discretion in respect of an applicant under 65 you

must contact the Nationality Policy team prior to making a final decision, setting out
the details of the application and why you are intending on applying discretion.
Evidence of age
Any person who is applying indefinite leave or naturalisation and is claiming to be
exempt from KoLL due to their age must provide evidence to support this. This may
include:
• passport
• EEA identity card (for naturalisation purposes)
• birth certificate
Related content
Contents

Exemption because of physical or
mental condition
This page tells you when to exercise discretion and waive the knowledge of
language and life in the UK requirement, because of a physical or mental condition,
to a person applying for naturalisation as a British citizen or indefinite leave to
remain.
There is discretion to waive the knowledge of language and life in the UK

requirement if, because of a person’s physical or mental condition, it would be
unreasonable for them to meet it.
This is set out in:
• Appendix KoLL of the Immigration Rules (for indefinite leave to remain

applications)
• Appendix English Language and Appendix KOL UK of the Immigration Rules
(for indefinite leave to remain applications on the following routes made after 1
December 2020: Skilled Worker, Representatives of an Overseas Business, T2
Minister of Religion, T2 Sportsperson, UK Ancestry, Global Talent, Innovator,
T5 (Temporary Worker) International Agreement Workers who are private
servants in a diplomatic household, Hong Kong British National (Overseas))
• paragraph 2(e) of Schedule 1 to the British Nationality Act 1981 (for
naturalisation applications)
To request a waiver the applicant must provide a completed medical waiver

proforma from a doctor confirming their physical or mental condition. All original and
current relevant medical reports setting out their diagnosis should also be submitted
with the completed exemption form.
When to exercise discretion

You must exercise discretion if the applicant:
• is suffering from a long-term illness or disability that severely restricts their

ability to learn English or prepare for the Life in the UK test
• has a mental condition which prevents them from speaking or learning English
to the required standard
Where a person provides evidence that they would be unable to satisfy one part of
the requirement, it does not automatically mean that they will be unable to meet the
second part of the requirement. It may be that their condition would make it
unreasonable for them to prepare and complete the Life in the UK test but due to the
different nature of how English language is assessed they are still able to
demonstrate that they satisfy the English language requirement.

How to exercise discretion
You must consider how the condition would prevent the applicant from taking the Life
in the UK test or learning English. For example, discretion may be appropriate where
an applicant:
• is deaf
• is a person without speech
• has a speech impediment which limits their ability to communicate in the
relevant language
Each application must be considered on its own merits and will depend on the facts
in each case including whether the applicant is a national of a majority English-
speaking country.
Life in the UK test centres, and many colleges can cater for a variety of disabilities,
such as blindness. An applicant may be able to do the test even if they produce
evidence of a disability.
You must also consider whether an applicant’s condition would prevent them from
meeting both parts of the requirement or just one.
Evidence of physical or mental condition

If an applicant claims to have a physical or mental condition, they must provide
original and current medical evidence from a medical practitioner. This must include
the medical waiver proforma. Where a request for an exemption does not include a
medical waiver proforma completed by a relevant medical practitioner you must
provide the applicant with the opportunity to provide this unless the application falls
to be refused on another ground.
Where an applicant fails to provide a completed waiver despite the document being
requested, you must consider whether they satisfy the knowledge of English
language and life in the UK requirements based on the information available. Any
refusal must make it clear that they do not meet the language and / or life in the UK
requirements and have not provided the specified evidence to be considered for a
waiver from these requirements.
Applications which are not subject to specific medical waiver

evidence requirements
You cannot insist that an applicant seeking a waiver provides the medical waiver
proforma completed by a registered medical practitioner, where you are considering
an application for:
• Naturalisation submitted before 9 August 2018

• indefinite leave to remain (ILR) application submitted before 1 November 2018

• settlement under a simplified route made after 1 December 20 (Skilled Worker,
Representatives of an Overseas Business, T2 Minister of Religion, T2
Sportsperson, UK Ancestry, Global Talent, Innovator, T5 (Temporary Worker)
International Agreement Workers who are private servants in a diplomatic
household, Hong Kong British National (Overseas))
If the application seeking the waiver fits into one of the categories above, you must
consider whether the evidence provided of the applicant’s condition is sufficient to
exercise discretion.
If you are not satisfied that the applicant has provided sufficient information or
documents to support their request you must give them the opportunity to provide
further documents (such as a completed medical waiver proforma). You do not need
to request further information if the application falls to be refused on other grounds.
In these cases, the refusal must also include the fact that they have not met the
knowledge of English language or life in the UK requirements and set out why this
requirement has not been waived.
Related content
Contents

Knowledge of English language
This page tells you how a person can meet the English language part of the
knowledge of language and life in the UK (KoLL) requirement.
An applicant will meet the English language requirement if any of the following apply,
they:
• are a national of a majority English speaking country

• have passed an approved speaking and listening Secure English Language
Test (SELT) at B1 level or above of the Common European Framework of
Reference for Languages (CEFR)
• have an academic degree equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or above,
taught in English
A person applying after 1 December 2020 for settlement on the Skilled Worker,
Representatives of an Overseas Business, T2 Minister of Religion, T2 Sportsperson,
UK Ancestry, Global Talent, Innovator, T5 (Temporary Worker) International
Agreement Workers who are private servants in a diplomatic household, or Hong
Kong British National (Overseas) routes can also meet the English Language
requirement for settlement if they:
• have previously shown they meet the required level in a successful application
For guidance on the considering the English requirement for these routes you should
see Assessing the English Language requirement guidance for these routes.
A person who successfully made an indefinite leave to remain (ILR) application on

the basis of a B1 level qualification can meet the English language requirement for
naturalisation without needing to pass another qualification but will be required to
pass the Life in the UK test if they have not already done so.
A person can apply for indefinite leave to remain without passing a KoLL test if they
have an English language speaking and listening qualification at A2 CEFR and have
been in the UK for 15 years with limited leave as a:
• partner
• child
• parent
• dependant of HM Forces personnel
• dependant of a points-based system (PBS) migrant
• dependant of a work permit holder
Overseas applicants
There is also a provision for naturalisation cases for a person designated by the
Secretary of State to confirm in writing that a person has sufficient knowledge of
language and life in the UK.

However, at present, no one is designated by the Secretary of State for these
purposes.
Related content
Contents

National of a majority English-speaking
country
This page tells you how a person can meet the speaking and listening part of the
knowledge of language and life in the UK (KoLL) requirement by being a national of
a majority English-speaking country.
Nationals of majority English-speaking countries are considered automatically to

meet the English language part of the KoLL requirement and do not need to show a
formal speaking and listening qualification. They must, however, show they have
passed the Life in the UK test.
Nationals of the following countries are accepted as majority English speakers:
• Antigua and Barbuda

• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• Malta
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• The United States of America
For naturalisation purposes this includes Ireland.
British overseas territories citizens are also accepted as majority English speakers.
Evidence
A person must provide a valid passport or travel document to show they are a citizen
or national of a majority English-speaking country. A dual national can rely on either
of their nationalities.
If the person’s passport or travel document has:
• been lost or stolen

• expired and been returned to the relevant authorities

• is with another part of the Home Office
alternative evidence as proof of nationality will be accepted. This must be:
• a current national identity document

• an original letter from the person’s home government or embassy confirming
their full name, date of birth and nationality
Related content
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Speaking and listening qualification at
B1 level
This page explains how a person can meet the speaking and listening part of the
knowledge of language and life in the UK (KoLL) requirement.
A person will meet this by having a speaking and listening qualification in English at
B1 level or above of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
(CEFR).
Applications made on or after 12 November 2015 for

naturalisation and on or after 19 November 2015 for ILR
For naturalisation applications made on or after 12 November 2015 and indefinite
leave to remain (ILR) applications made on or after 19 November 2015, the only
tests that are acceptable are qualifications covering speaking and listening at B1 or
above from the Secure English Language Test (SELT) list published on the Home
Office pages of GOV.UK.
No other tests are acceptable and the test must be taken at an approved test centre.
Indefinite leave applications

The English language test must have been taken no more than 2 years before the
date of application. However, tests that have been taken more than 2 years ago and
have since expired can still be accepted where both of the following apply. The
qualification:
• is from one of the providers on the current SELT list

• has previously been accepted by us as part of another immigration application,
such as for entry clearance
A qualification that is not from one of the providers on the current SELT list, is not
acceptable even if previously accepted by us as part of another application
Naturalisation applications
A person who successfully made an application for indefinite leave to remain based
on a B1 level qualification can meet the English language requirement for
naturalisation without needing to pass another qualification. This is regardless of
whether the original qualification is on the current SELT list.
Applications for naturalisation before 12 November 2015 or

ILR before 19 November 2015

Where an application is made before 12 November 2015 for naturalisation or before
19 November 2015 for ILR, the following tests are acceptable:
• qualifications covering speaking and listening at B1 or above from the Secure
English Language Test (SELT) published on the Home Office pages of Gov.uk.
A new SELT list was introduced on 6 April 2015:
o for tests taken on or after 6 April 2015 you must refer to the most current
SELT list
o for tests taken before 6 April 2015 you must refer to the previous SELT list -
only tests sat at an approved centre are acceptable
• qualifications in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) at Entry level
3, level 1 or level 2, that include speaking and listening and that have been
regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) -
the qualification must be listed as an ESOL qualification on the Ofqual Register
of Regulated Qualifications and have been taken in England, Wales or Northern
Ireland - qualifications listed as ESOL qualifications are acceptable regardless
of whether the name of the qualification includes reference to ESOL - for the
Ofqual register
• a National Qualification in ESOL at Scottish Credit and Qualifications
Framework (SCQF) levels 4, 5 or 6 awarded by the Scottish Qualifications
Authority (SQA)
ESOL qualifications often have 4 components:

• reading
• writing
• speaking
• listening
Where the ESOL qualification is on the Ofqual register, you must accept unit credits
in speaking and listening, even if the applicant has not obtained the whole
qualification at the required level.
For SELT tests, the applicant must pass the whole qualification.
A person is not required to study for their qualification at any particular institution or
follow any particular curriculum. The method of study that a person follows to reach
the minimum B1 English level is up to them.
Evidence
For tests taken on or after 6 April 2015, applicants do not need to supply any
evidence of the English language test - instead they must provide a unique reference
number (URN). The URN is in the following format:
• XXX / 123456 / 123456 / 123456789 which consists of the:

o first 3 letters of the SELT provider’s name
o date of test
o test centre number
o candidate number

You must use the secure English language test (SELT) unique reference number
included on the application form to check the provider’s online verification system, to
confirm that the applicant passed the test.
See Secure English language tests: online verification systems to verify a test result.
The application does not meet the English language requirements if the test does not
appear on the online verification system.
Once the test results have been verified, you must enter the URN into the ‘Case
Notes’ field in CID and on the case reference number screen using the ‘SELT
Certificate No’ selection.
For tests taken before 6 April 2015, one of the following pieces of evidence is
acceptable:
• a certificate from an approved English language test provider showing:

o the applicant's name
o the qualification obtained
o they have reached B1 of the CEFR in speaking and listening or above
o the date of award
o if specified English language test or qualification results are only available
online, the applicant must provide the appropriate identity details to allow
online verification - see Online verification systems
• a printout of the online score from a Pearson test of English (PTE) showing
they have passed an approved test from an approved English language test
provider and has reached B1 level of the CEFR or above
• an ESOL certificate for a qualification issued in England or Wales that is listed
on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications, which includes speaking
and listening and is at ESOL entry level 3, level 1, level 2 or level 3
• an ESOL certificate issued in Scotland awarded by the Scottish Qualifications
Authority that includes speaking and listening and is at Scottish Credit and
Qualifications Framework level 4, 5 or 6
Validity of qualifications
Validity dates of SELT qualifications listed on the Home Office pages of GOV.UK, or
on the Ofqual register, will not be applied for ILR applications provided either:
• the qualification has previously been accepted for another immigration

application
• if it is being presented for the first time, that it was taken in:
o England and was regulated by Ofqual
o Wales and was regulated by the Welsh Government
o Northern Ireland and was regulated by the Council for the Curriculum,
Examinations and Assessment (CCEA)
o Scotland and was regulated by the SQA

Validity dates of SELT qualifications were not applicable to citizenship applications
made before 6 April 2015, as validity dates were not referred to in the regulations.
For applications made between 6 April and 12 November 2015 you can accept an
expired qualification if it was taken in the UK and was regulated by Ofqual, the Welsh
Government or CCEA, or if taken in Scotland, by the SQA.
After 12 November 2015, you can only accept SELT qualifications which remain
valid unless the qualification was accepted in an application for settlement.
Official - sensitive: start of section
The information on this page has been removed as it is restricted for internal Home
Office use.
Official - sensitive: end of section
Related content
Contents

Degree qualifications
This page explains how a person can meet the speaking and listening part of the
knowledge of language and life in the UK (KoLL) requirement by having a degree
taught in English.
A person can demonstrate they meet the KoLL requirement where they have a
degree that was taught (or researched) in English.
The qualification must:
• be academic (not vocational or professional)

• be deemed by UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC)
to meet the recognised standard of a bachelor’s or master’s degree or PhD in
the UK
• have been taught in English or have been delivered in a majority English
language speaking country (excluding Canada)
Before 6 April 2016, a points-based system (PBS) online points calculator printout,
showing 10 points has been awarded for English language could be submitted,
together with the original degree certificate, to satisfy the English language element
of KOLL requirement. The points-based calculator was abolished on 6 April 2016.
Majority English-speaking countries

If the applicant has a degree that was taught or researched in a majority English-
speaking country (excluding Canada but including Ireland) they must provide:
• their degree certificate

• an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) from Ecctis (formerly UK
NARIC) confirming the qualification is equivalent to a UK qualification
Non-majority English-speaking countries

If the applicant has a degree that was taught or researched in a non-majority
English-speaking country they must provide:
• their degree certificate

• an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUAL) from Ecctis (formerly UK
NARIC) confirming the qualification is equivalent to a UK qualification
• an English language Proficiency Statement (ELPS) from Ecctis (formerly UK
NARIC), which will confirm that the degree was taught in English
Evidence from NARIC

An applicant must provide an AQUALS or a statement of comparability from Ecctis
(formerly UK NARIC) confirming the qualification is equivalent to a UK qualification.

Where the qualification was obtained in a non-majority English-speaking country, an
ELPS or an English language assessment (ELA) is also required. However, you do
not need to see additional confirmation from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) where the:
• Home Office have previously accepted a degree qualification as meeting the

requirements for an earlier application, and leave was granted
• degree was awarded by a UK university
If the qualification has not previously been used for an immigration application, or the
previous application was refused, the applicant must obtain confirmation from Ecctis
(formerly UK NARIC) that it meets the relevant criteria.
An official statement from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) must be obtained before

applying. See Ecctis Visas and Nationality for further information.
Evidence of degree
The applicant must provide evidence of their degree by providing an original degree
certificate. If the applicant is awaiting graduation, or no longer has the certificate and
cannot get a new one, they must provide an original:
• academic reference from the academic institution on official letter headed paper
- the reference must show:
o the title of award
o that the qualification was taught in English
o when the academic qualification has been, or will be awarded
o the date the certificate will be issued (if the applicant has not yet graduated)
confirms the institution is unable to re-issue the original certificate of award
• academic transcript on official letter headed paper - the transcript must show:
o the name of the academic institution
o the course title
o that the qualification was taught in English
o confirmation of the award
Diplomas
Applicants holding a postgraduate diploma, or a graduate diploma from a UK
university, are considered to have the required level of English for an indefinite leave
to remain (ILR) or citizenship application.
Postgraduate diplomas are usually abbreviated as PGDip, PG Dip, PgD, PgDip.

Examples would be:
• postgraduate diploma in legal practice

• graduate diploma in law
• postgraduate diploma in education
• postgraduate diploma in teaching

A postgraduate diploma, or graduate diploma from a university outside the UK, must
have Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) confirmation showing it is comparable to a UK
degree, and was taught in English.
You must not accept professional diplomas from either inside or outside the UK,
which do not require an undergraduate degree as an entry requirement, for example:
• accountancy
• marketing
• hotel management
• retail management
• cosmetic science
• food hygiene
Related content
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Life in the UK test
This page tells you about the Life in the UK test.
Acceptable test
To meet the life in the UK requirement, an applicant must have successfully
completed the test operated by a provider approved for this purpose. The current
test is administered by PSI.
United Kingdom
In the UK, the Life in the UK test must be booked through GOV.UK.
Channel Islands and Isle of Man

If the test is taken in the Isle of Man, it must be the test known as the ‘Life in the UK
Test’.
If the test is taken in Guernsey or Jersey, it must be the test known as the
‘Citizenship Test’ and administered either by:
• an educational institution
• another person who has been approved by the Lieutenant Governor
Overseas
There are arrangements in place for armed forces personnel and their dependants to
take the Life in the UK test in Germany and Cyprus.
Format of the test

The test lasts 45 minutes and is computer based. There are 24 multiple choice
questions. People are told if they have passed or failed on the day they take the test.
People can take the test in Welsh if they go to a test centre in Wales, or Scottish
Gaelic if they take the test in Scotland.
The test questions are based on the ‘Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New
Residents’ handbook. People must study the handbook to prepare for the test.
Applicants may take the test as many times as is necessary to pass.
Evidence the applicant has passed the Life in the UK test
Before 1 October 2019

Applicants had to provide their pass notification letter with their application. After this
time, they needed to provide only the reference ID.
Between 1 October 2019 and 17 December 2019

Applicants who sat their test after 1 October 2019 and before 17 December must
provide their 7-digit test reference ID. Caseworkers can use this ID to validate an
application on either Warehouse or Entity.
The following test information is included on Warehouse:
• the applicant’s personal information

• Home Office reference number
• test details including:
o test reference
o test centre name and reference
o date of test
o result of test
• how many times an applicant has taken the test
• the serial number of the document used for identification at the test centre, if
the test was taken on or after 16 March 2008
Legacy Life in the UK data will be available through Entity Search.
From 17 December 2019

From 17 December 2019, PSI will not issue pass notification letters and instead
applicants can access their results via their PSI Life in the UK (LitUK) account. The
applicant’s unique reference number (URN) will be displayed against their test
results, and it is this URN that they will need to include on their application form.
Applicants will also receive an email upon sitting the test with their URN, whether
they failed or passed it.
You can access the applicant’s details and validate their application by using the
online verification portal; the portal will show the applicant’s test result and include a
photograph of the applicant. You can obtain access via their local account admin
user. If you have concerns about the test results of an applicant, you must discuss
this with your senior caseworker.
Office use.

Identification documents
All applicants will have a photograph taken on the day of the test. This is intended to
further support caseworkers with applicant test validation and to improve the integrity
around the test.
Guidance for applicants on what type of documents are accepted by test centres is
published on GOV.UK.
If an applicant has included one of these documents with their application and wants
it returned so they can take the test, this can be sent back to them.
Returning documents so applicants can take the test: indefinite leave, can provide
further information.
If the applicant does not have any of the documents listed in the guidance it may be
possible to arrange for an applicant to take the test. These requests are considered
on their own merits.
Office use.
Returning documents so applicant can take the test:

indefinite leave
If an applicant asks for the return of their passport, travel document or driving licence
before a decision is made on the application, you must return the document to the
applicant.
You must not follow this process if an applicant wants their passport or travel
document to travel outside the common travel area.
For more information on applicants who travel outside the common travel area, see
related link: Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 (as amended).
You must not follow this process if:
• an applicant is unlawfully present in the UK, for example, an overstayer or

illegal entrant
• an applicant has been refused asylum or humanitarian protection and has no
other basis of stay in the UK
• an applicant has been refused leave to remain under the Immigration Rules, or
refused European documentation (for example a residence card) as the third
country national family member of an European Economic Area (EEA) citizen

and has no right to reside, whether or not they have a right of appeal in the UK
(unless they have an existing period of leave, other than under 3C or 3D of the
Immigration Act 1971)
• a decision under section 47 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act
2006 has been made
• leave to enter or remain has been curtailed with the result that the migrant has
no outstanding leave
Applicants can request the return of these documents to take the test if they have
submitted an application for indefinite leave. They may need to vary their application
depending on the results of their test.
If you receive a request for return of documents, you must:
• refuse the application if it would be refused even if the applicant met the
knowledge of language and life requirement - for example if there is another
requirement of the rules the applicant does not meet
• write out for any further information you need from the applicant at the same
time as you return the passport or travel document if it does not fall to be
refused on other grounds
• advise the applicant their application may be refused if they do not return their
passport or travel document within 28 calendar days
• if you return a UK driving licence you must still allow the applicant 28 days to
return their Life in the UK pass notification letter, but the applicant does not
have to return their driving licence - you must copy this document and attach
the copy to their file
• return the document by recorded delivery - note the reference details in the
case references screen on Atlas
If the applicant does not return their documents within 28 calendar days, you must
refuse the application on the basis of the non-production of documents. If an
application is made for indefinite leave rather than limited leave, you must also
refuse the application for not meeting the knowledge of language and life
requirement. See Failure to give information within a reasonable time for further
information.
Related content
Contents
Validation, variation and withdrawal of applications

Results of the applicant’s test:
indefinite leave
This page tells you how to consider a case where the applicant has been given time
to sit the Life in the UK test results.
Applications for indefinite leave

If the passport or travel document is returned to the Home Office within 28 days and
you:
• have confirmation they have passed the test; you can grant indefinite leave if all
the requirements are met
• do not have confirmation they have passed the test you must refuse the
application - this is unless they have varied their application to one for limited
leave in which case you must consider the application for limited leave
If the passport is not returned within 28 days, you must refuse the application on the
non-production of documents and the fact they do not meet the knowledge of
language and life requirements
Applications for limited leave

If the passport or travel document is returned within 28 days, and you:
• have confirmation they have passed the test and the applicant has varied their
application to one for indefinite leave, you can grant indefinite leave if all the
requirements are met
• do not have confirmation they have passed the test you can grant limited leave,
as long as they meet the other requirements of the rules
If the passport is not returned within 28 days, refuse the application on the non-
production of documents
Related content
Contents

False documents
This page tells you how to consider applications where you receive a false
knowledge of language and life in the UK document.
If you get written confirmation that a document provided is not genuine, you must
refuse the application on the basis that the applicant does not meet the knowledge of
language and life requirement.
You must inform the applicant in their refusal letter we have kept the document.
Office use.
Related content
Contents

Meeting requirement after 15 years in
the UK: indefinite leave
This page tells you how a person can meet the knowledge of language and life in the
UK requirements if they have at least 15 years’ continuous leave to enter or remain
in the UK.
An applicant will be deemed to have sufficient knowledge of English language and

about life in the UK if they:
• are not a national of an English-speaking country

• have provided specified evidence of an English language speaking and
listening qualification at A2 level of the Common European Framework of
Reference for Languages (CEFR), English for Speakers of Other Languages
(ESOL) entry level 2 or level 3 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications
Framework level 3
• have provided evidence from a qualified English language teacher that it is not
reasonable to expect the applicant to pass a qualification at B1 CEFR, ESOL
entry level 3 or Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework level 4
• have spent a continuous period of at least 15 years leave to enter or remain in
the UK in one of the categories listed in paragraph 3.2(a) of Appendix KoLL of
the Immigration Rules
A ‘qualified English language teacher’ is a person who holds a qualification in

teaching English as a foreign language or in teaching English to speakers of other
languages. The qualification must have been awarded by an organisation:
• regulated by the Office for Qualification and Examination Regulation

• regulated by the Scottish Qualification Authority
• recognised by UK National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC)
to be the equivalent of such a qualification
For the evidence of the qualification that must be supplied, see paragraph 4.7 of
Appendix KoLL of the Immigration Rules.
The evidence from a qualified English language teacher must be a letter from the
teacher, signed and dated within 3 months of the date of application, and include the
following:
• the applicant’s name

• confirmation the applicant has attended an English language class taught by a
qualified English language teacher for at least 75 guided learning hours within
the last 12 months preceding the application - guided learning hours means the
time during which a person is taught or given instruction by a qualified English
language teacher but does not include time spent on unsupervised preparation
or study

• confirmation the writer has assessed that the speaking and listening level
attained by the applicant is not at B1 level or above
• confirmation of the writer’s qualifications as an English language teacher
Related content
Contents

Evidence of KoLL: additional
information requests
This page explains when you can request additional information to verify a person
has met the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement (KoLL).
In some cases, you may suspect that the applicant used deception in relation to a
test or qualification. Examples of this might be where the applicant’s level of English
does not appear to match the level of their qualification, or where the Home Office
has been advised of possible cheating in a life in the UK test.
In such cases the Immigration Rules and Nationality Regulations allow you to
disregard that test or qualification.
You must then write to the applicant explaining that the Home Office is unwilling to
accept the test or qualification as evidence that the KoLL requirement is met and
give them the opportunity to re-sit the KoLL test or take another B1 level test.
For a life in the UK test re-sit you must refer the case to your deputy chief
caseworker who will liaise with the test provider to arrange a re-test.
If you are not satisfied with a B1 qualification you must ask the applicant to take a
test with one of the providers on the current SELT list, at an approved test centre.
If the applicant does not send in acceptable evidence that they meet this requirement
within the time allowed, you must refuse the application.
You do not need to request additional evidence of the KoLL requirement, where it is
clear that the application may be refused for other reasons.
Related contents
Contents

Recording outcomes on CID / Atlas
This page tells you how to update CID for cases requiring knowledge of language
and life in the UK.
You must select the appropriate Atlas outcome from below when you grant an
application in a category that requires the knowledge of language and life:
• GRANT ILR (KOL TEST) - if the applicant has passed the Life in the UK test
and is granted indefinite leave
• GRANT ILR (ESOL) - if the applicant has completed an English for speakers of
other languages course and is granted indefinite leave
• GRANT ILR (EXEMPT FROM KOL) - if the applicant is exempt from the
requirement and is granted indefinite leave - you must use this outcome if the
applicant qualifies for a specified exemption or if a senior caseworker agrees to
waive the knowledge of language and life requirement for the application
• GRANT LTR (NO KOL) - if the applicant does not provide evidence they meet
the knowledge of language and life requirement, and is granted limited leave
under the transitional arrangements in place between 2 April 2007 and 30
March 2009
Related content
Contents

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Knowledge of language and life in

Page 1 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Page 2 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Page 3 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Changes from last version of this guidance

Page 4 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Indefinite leave to remain

• victims of domestic violence

Page 5 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Applications for settlement under simplified routes made

Naturalisation as a British citizen

Page 6 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

If you are intending to exercise discretion in respect of an applicant under 65 you

Page 7 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

There is discretion to waive the knowledge of language and life in the UK

This is set out in:

• Appendix KoLL of the Immigration Rules (for indefinite leave to remain

To request a waiver the applicant must provide a completed medical waiver

When to exercise discretion

• is suffering from a long-term illness or disability that severely restricts their

Page 8 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Evidence of physical or mental condition

Applications which are not subject to specific medical waiver

• Naturalisation submitted before 9 August 2018

Page 9 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Page 10 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

• are a national of a majority English speaking country

A person who successfully made an indefinite leave to remain (ILR) application on

Page 11 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Page 12 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Nationals of majority English-speaking countries are considered automatically to

Nationals of the following countries are accepted as majority English speakers:

• Antigua and Barbuda

For naturalisation purposes this includes Ireland.

If the person’s passport or travel document has:

• been lost or stolen

Page 13 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

alternative evidence as proof of nationality will be accepted. This must be:

• a current national identity document

Page 14 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Applications made on or after 12 November 2015 for

Indefinite leave applications

• is from one of the providers on the current SELT list

Applications for naturalisation before 12 November 2015 or

Page 15 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

ESOL qualifications often have 4 components:

• XXX / 123456 / 123456 / 123456789 which consists of the:

Page 16 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

• a certificate from an approved English language test provider showing:

• the qualification has previously been accepted for another immigration

Page 17 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

Official - sensitive: start of section

Official - sensitive: end of section

Page 18 of 31 Published for Home Office staff on 7 July 2024

The qualification must:

• be academic (not vocational or professional)

Majority English-speaking countries

• their degree certificate

Non-majority English-speaking countries