UK settlement English is rising to B2 in 2027
From 26 March 2027, many people applying for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) will need to prove their English at CEFR level B2 in speaking and listening, up from B1 today. The change comes from the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 1691. This page explains what is changing and how to prepare. It is general information, not immigration advice.
- Now
- B1 required
- From 26 Mar 2027
- B2 required
- Rule change
- HC 1691
- B2 level
- ~A-level standard
- Extra study
- ~200 hours
- Life in the UK
- Still required
What is changing
Today, most settlement routes ask for English at B1 in speaking and listening. Under HC 1691, from 26 March 2027 many of those routes will instead require B2. Applications are always judged by the Immigration Rules in force on the day they are submitted, so the date you apply matters. The Life in the UK test requirement is unchanged: you will still need to pass it.
What B2 means (and why it is a big step)
B1 is everyday conversation: describing experiences, giving simple opinions, understanding clear speech on familiar topics. B2 is upper-intermediate, often compared to A-level standard. At B2 you are expected to justify your opinions, follow and join more abstract discussions, and respond to hypothetical questions. Moving from B1 to B2 is commonly estimated at around 200 hours of learning, which is why starting early matters so much.
Does it affect you?
That depends on your route and when you apply, and we cannot tell you which rules apply to your case. What we can say is general: applications submitted before 26 March 2027 may be assessed under the current B1 requirement where the rules for that route permit, and applications on or after that date will need B2 where English forms part of the eligibility. To find out what applies to you, check your route on GOV.UK or speak to a regulated immigration adviser (OISC-registered, or a qualified solicitor). Please do not rely on this page for your application.
How to prepare
Whether you are aiming for B1 now or B2 for later, the path is the same: speak, out loud, regularly, and fix the specific mistakes that hold you back. Speak & Stay lets you practise a real B1 conversation today, with every mistake explained in your own language, and is building a structured B1-to-B2 pathway for the people who will need the higher level. The earlier you start, the calmer the deadline feels.
Frequently asked questions
When does the B2 English requirement for settlement start?
26 March 2027. Under Statement of Changes HC 1691, many settlement (ILR) routes will require English at CEFR level B2 in speaking and listening from that date, up from B1.
What level of English is required for ILR now?
For most routes, B1 in speaking and listening (commonly the Trinity GESE Grade 5 SELT). That remains the requirement until the change takes effect.
What is CEFR B2, compared to B1?
B2 is upper-intermediate, often compared to A-level standard. At B2 you can justify your opinions, discuss more abstract topics, and handle hypothetical questions, well beyond the everyday conversation of B1. Moving from B1 to B2 is often estimated at around 200 hours of learning.
Does the B2 change affect me?
It depends on your specific route and when you apply. Settlement applications are assessed under the Immigration Rules in force on the date you submit them. This is general information, not immigration advice: check the rules for your route on GOV.UK, or speak to a regulated immigration adviser (in the UK, one registered with the OISC or a qualified solicitor).
Can I still qualify at B1 if I apply before March 2027?
Applications submitted before 26 March 2027 may be assessed under the current B1 requirement where the rules for your route permit. This is not guaranteed for every route, so check your route on GOV.UK or with a regulated adviser before relying on it.
How should I prepare for the B2 requirement?
Start early. Because B2 needs roughly 200 more hours than B1, the people who cope best begin well before the deadline, building from B1 to B2 with regular speaking practice rather than cramming.
Start your English practice today.
Practise a real B1 conversation, in your language, free.
Start freeBased on the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules HC 1691 and GOV.UK guidance current at the time of writing; immigration rules change, so always confirm the current position for your route on GOV.UK. Speak & Stay is an independent preparation service and is not affiliated with the Home Office or any test provider. Nothing on this page is immigration advice.