UK Home Office makes changes to Tier 1 English language test providers

The UK Home Office has announced changes to the approved list of English language test providers for Tier 1 of the new points-based system for immigration.

This year the UK Home Office is implementing major changes to improve its immigration system so that it can better reflect the needs of the British community. The new system has five tiers; Tier 1 (General Skilled Migration) is the first tier to be introduced to the new UK immigration process. Tier 1 allows only those migrants to work in Britain that are absolutely necessary, including highly skilled migrants, investors, business owners and post-study workers. Tier 1 builds on the successful Highly Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP). Further tiers will be introduced over the next year.

On 10 September, the Home Office announced amendments to the list of approved English language test providers for Tier 1. Four organisations and tests were removed from the list, including the A+ Education English Test (A+ Education), the CSPS English Language Course – Advanced (Central School of Professional Studies), the CSCT Standard Test for English (City School of Commerce and Technology), and the Foundation English Language Test and Summer Study English Language Test (University of Hull).

As of the 11 September 2008, evidence of English language skills for Tier 1 migration applications will not be accepted from these organisations or tests.

Updated versions of the guidance notes for Tier 1 were also released on the 11 September for General, Entrepreneur, and Post-Study-work applications.

The UK Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in UK visa and immigration services.

Article by Jessica Bird, UK Visa Bureau.