English language test -General training instead of A1?

[azmalta]

Hi

I am applying for the Spouse visa in July after my husband completes 6 months in continuous employment in the UK, in the meantime I live in Malta with our British born son and my Ukrainian daughter - as my husband is dual Maltese and British.

My question:

In Malta the only date showing on the British council IELTS for the English A1 test in in September 2018!!! however there is availability to do the Academic or General training test on several dates from May-June , ie well in time for our application.

Would the UKVI accept the Academic or General test instead of the A1 - considering it is harder and includes both written and reading exercises on top of the listening and speaking, sense says that they should - but this is the UKVI so all sense is thrown out of the window!

any thoughts?

O

[Londoner007]

Strictly IELTS Speaking and Listening A1 ONLY. Try find a different learning centre that does have availability.

[seagul]

I am sure you must already know that Malta is an EU country and if you have its nationality then you can enter freely without visa. If you are no Maltese national then you will need spouse visa. And regarding English language there must certainly be arrangements made by British council to do A1 test on priority basis as September is too far.

[Butterflywings]

Hi

I am applying for the Spouse visa in July after my husband completes 6 months in continuous employment in the UK, in the meantime I live in Malta with our British born son and my Ukrainian daughter - as my husband is dual Maltese and British.

My question:

In Malta the only date showing on the British council IELTS for the English A1 test in in September 2018!!! however there is availability to do the Academic or General training test on several dates from May-June , ie well in time for our application.

Would the UKVI accept the Academic or General test instead of the A1 - considering it is harder and includes both written and reading exercises on top of the listening and speaking, sense says that they should - but this is the UKVI so all sense is thrown out of the window!

any thoughts?

O

We know someone who applied with IELTS ACADEMIC and had a score of 8 bands. The applicant was a university assistant professor. The visa was REFUSED saying that it is not a UKVI exam at level A1. They lost their appeal too as judge said the IELTS website and visa policy clearly say that no exam other than UKVI A1 can be used after this date(i cant remember the date) for spouse entry clearance. So like others have already said, DO NOT use anything other than A1.

[Katie_France]

I submitted IELTS for UKVI General with my previous application, but I didn’t state the ielts test UKVI number in my application. At the very beginning I couldn’t understand why I was refused.

However, through later communication with MP, HO clearly wrote that they refused not because of the test but because I didn’t state UKVI number in the application.

So you can pass Ielts for UKVI Academic or General, as long as it’s IELTS for UKVI.

[Londoner007]

Anyone foolish enough to risk it, go for it.

[Katie_France]

Londoner007, that’s is just what the response from HO was. IELTS for UKVI is suitable as long as you include IELTS for UKVI number in your application.

[azmalta]

Dear All, thank you for all your input.

I heard back form the British council test centre here in Malta and they said they only do the A1 test every 6 months! so the next one is in September as British Council staff fly in for the test. They suggested I fly to Rome and do it there!!

oh dear...........

[azmalta]

I just again carefully read the UKVI spouse visa english language requirement:

"You can prove your knowledge of English by passing an approved English language test with at least a CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening
."

the ''at least'' part is what I picked up on?

[humbleguy]

Clearly states you could sit a general exam and it would be accepted
https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/ielts-ukvi/score

[azmalta]

humble guy you star! i did not see that!! indeed it does clearly state as note 2

"2 IELTS for UKVI can be used where IELTS Life Skills is used; test takers would need to get 4.0 or above in Speaking and Listening (scores for Reading and Writing will be ignored).''

Thanks for that spot!

O

[Katie_France]

Make sure it is IELTS for UKVI not just general, and don’t forget to include test’s UKVI number in the application - how did you meet English language requirements?

humble guy you star! i did not see that!! indeed it does clearly state as note 2

"2 IELTS for UKVI can be used where IELTS Life Skills is used; test takers would need to get 4.0 or above in Speaking and Listening (scores for Reading and Writing will be ignored).''

Thanks for that spot!

O

[metanoia]

humble guy you star! i did not see that!! indeed it does clearly state as note 2

"2 IELTS for UKVI can be used where IELTS Life Skills is used; test takers would need to get 4.0 or above in Speaking and Listening (scores for Reading and Writing will be ignored).''

Thanks for that spot!

O

I think you've missed the point in discussion that even IELTS for UKVI will only be available in September 18 so waiting time would still be the same.

[Katie_France]

Azmalta, metanoia is right.

You can’t just take General Ielts, it should be ielts for ukvi, which is also available only in September in Malta. So you have to book your exam somewhere else.

[azmalta]

..........yes i see that now:(

well, the nearest is in Rome, its just a hassle as we have our 3 year old son, daughter who is 8 in school and my husband is in UK in a new job qualifying us.....

We had a discussion about this new revelation re exam dates and i think its the final nail in the coffin for us, we are more and more now thinking to just wait until November when we are 5 years married and apply for my Maltese citizenship which i should be granted by dec/jan. Then go to uk as a eu citizen which is fine until 2021 (re brexit)...

[seagul]

..........yes i see that now:(

well, the nearest is in Rome, its just a hassle as we have our 3 year old son, daughter who is 8 in school and my husband is in UK in a new job qualifying us.....

We had a discussion about this new revelation re exam dates and i think its the final nail in the coffin for us, we are more and more now thinking to just wait until November when we are 5 years married and apply for my Maltese citizenship which i should be granted by dec/jan. Then go to uk as a eu citizen which is fine until 2021 (re brexit)...

Yes it's a good cost effective strategy. Keep an eye on brexit news. Maybe some transition arrangements take place and you get benefited.

[Butterflywings]

..........yes i see that now:(

well, the nearest is in Rome, its just a hassle as we have our 3 year old son, daughter who is 8 in school and my husband is in UK in a new job qualifying us.....

We had a discussion about this new revelation re exam dates and i think its the final nail in the coffin for us, we are more and more now thinking to just wait until November when we are 5 years married and apply for my Maltese citizenship which i should be granted by dec/jan. Then go to uk as a eu citizen which is fine until 2021 (re brexit)...

This sounds much better option to me personally.