You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re:
- Aged 65 or over
- Unable to, because of a long-term physical or mental condition
If you are unable to because of long-term physical or mental conditions, you will need to provide a completed exemption form from a doctor confirming your physical or mental condition.
Nationalities Exempt from Meeting the English Language Requirement
There are nationalities that are exempt from meeting the English Language requirement. These are:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- The Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Ireland (for citizenship only)
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
If you’re from a country that’s not on the list you’ll need to prove your knowledge of English, even if English is an official language.
Exemptions if you’re applying to settle:
You do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you’re applying as:
- A victim of domestic violence as the partner or spouse of a British citizen or someone settled in the UK
- The partner or spouse of a person who has died who was either a British citizen or someone settled in the UK
- An adult-dependent relative between 18 and 64 of someone who is present and settled in the UK, is a refugee, or has humanitarian
- protection
- A refugee living in the UK
- Someone living in the UK with discretionary leave
- Someone living in the UK for with humanitarian protection
- Someone who has permission to stay in the UK as a retired person of independent means
- A Commonwealth citizen on discharge from HM Forces, including Gurkhas
- Someone in exceptional circumstances, for example as an orphan, widow or over-age dependant
