Becoming a Permanent Resident
To apply to become a permanent resident or citizen of the UK, you will need to:
- Speak and read English
- Have a good understanding of life in the UK
How You Can Be Tested
There are currently two ways you can be tested on these requirements:
- Take the Life in the UK test. The questions are written in a way that requires an understanding of the English language at English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Entry Level 3, so there is no need to take a separate English language test. People here on work visas, including those on Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points-based system, normally must pass the Life in the UK test to become permanent residents.
- Pass an ESOL course in English with Citizenship. You will need to take this course if your standard of English is below ESOL Entry Level 3. The course will help you to improve your English and learn more about life in the UK. At the end of the course you will take a test.
After Passing the Test
Once you have passed one of these tests, you can make an application for permanent residence or British citizenship. The form that you have to complete and the evidence that you need to provide will depend on your personal circumstances. There is a fee for submitting an application, which is different for the various types of application.
Updated Requirements
From October 2013, the requirements changed. For settlement or permanent residence, you need to:
- Pass the Life in the UK test
- Produce acceptable evidence of speaking and listening skills in English at B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. This is equivalent to ESOL Entry Level 3.
The requirements for citizenship applications may also change in the future. You should check the information on the UK government website for current requirements before applying for settlement or citizenship.
Check that you understand
- The process of becoming a permanent resident or citizen
- The different ways you can be tested on your knowledge and English skills
*Source: Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, 3rd Edition. Crown copyright. Reproduced under the Open Government Licence.*
للتقدم بطلب للحصول على الإقامة الدائمة أو الجنسية في UK، ستحتاج إلى:
- التحدث بالإنجليزية وقراءتها
- امتلاك فهم جيد للحياة في UK
كيف يتم اختبارك
هناك حاليًا طريقتان يمكن من خلالهما اختبارك في هذه المتطلبات:
- أداء اختبار Life in the UK. صيغت الأسئلة بأسلوب يتطلب إتقان اللغة الإنجليزية بمستوى ESOL Entry Level 3 (الإنجليزية للناطقين بلغات أخرى - المستوى التمهيدي 3)، لذا لا حاجة لأداء اختبار لغة إنجليزية منفصل. ويتعين عادةً على الأشخاص الموجودين بتأشيرات عمل، بما في ذلك حاملو تأشيرات Tier 1 وTier 2 ضمن نظام النقاط، اجتياز اختبار Life in the UK للحصول على الإقامة الدائمة.
- اجتياز دورة ESOL في الإنجليزية مع المواطنة. ستحتاج إلى الالتحاق بهذه الدورة إذا كان مستواك في الإنجليزية أدنى من ESOL Entry Level 3. ستساعدك الدورة على تحسين لغتك الإنجليزية ومعرفة المزيد عن الحياة في UK. وفي نهاية الدورة ستؤدي اختبارًا.
بعد اجتياز الاختبار
بمجرد اجتيازك أحد هذين الاختبارين، يمكنك تقديم طلب للحصول على الإقامة الدائمة أو الجنسية البريطانية. ويعتمد النموذج الذي يجب عليك تعبئته والأدلة التي يجب تقديمها على ظروفك الشخصية. وهناك رسوم لتقديم الطلب تختلف باختلاف نوع الطلب.
المتطلبات المحدّثة
اعتبارًا من أكتوبر 2013، تغيرت المتطلبات. للحصول على الإقامة الدائمة أو تسوية الوضع، تحتاج إلى:
- اجتياز اختبار Life in the UK
- تقديم دليل مقبول على إتقان مهارات التحدث والاستماع باللغة الإنجليزية بمستوى B1 وفقًا للإطار الأوروبي المرجعي المشترك للغات. وهو ما يعادل ESOL Entry Level 3.
قد تتغير متطلبات طلبات الجنسية أيضًا في المستقبل. ينبغي لك مراجعة المعلومات على موقع حكومة UK الإلكتروني للاطلاع على المتطلبات الحالية قبل التقدم بطلب الإقامة الدائمة أو الجنسية.
تأكد من أنك تفهم
- إجراءات الحصول على الإقامة الدائمة أو الجنسية
- الطرق المختلفة التي يمكن من خلالها اختبار معرفتك ومهاراتك في اللغة الإنجليزية
*Source: Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, 3rd Edition. Crown copyright. Reproduced under the Open Government Licence.*
Translations are provided as a study aid only. The English version is the sole authoritative source.
To apply to become a permanent resident or citizen of the UK, you will need to:
- Speak and read English
- Have a good understanding of life in the UK
How You Can Be Tested
There are currently two ways you can be tested on these requirements:
- Take the Life in the UK test. The questions are written in a way that requires an understanding of the English language at English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Entry Level 3, so there is no need to take a separate English language test. People here on work visas, including those on Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points-based system, normally must pass the Life in the UK test to become permanent residents.
- Pass an ESOL course in English with Citizenship. You will need to take this course if your standard of English is below ESOL Entry Level 3. The course will help you to improve your English and learn more about life in the UK. At the end of the course you will take a test.
After Passing the Test
Once you have passed one of these tests, you can make an application for permanent residence or British citizenship. The form that you have to complete and the evidence that you need to provide will depend on your personal circumstances. There is a fee for submitting an application, which is different for the various types of application.
Updated Requirements
From October 2013, the requirements changed. For settlement or permanent residence, you need to:
- Pass the Life in the UK test
- Produce acceptable evidence of speaking and listening skills in English at B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. This is equivalent to ESOL Entry Level 3.
The requirements for citizenship applications may also change in the future. You should check the information on the UK government website for current requirements before applying for settlement or citizenship.
Check that you understand
- The process of becoming a permanent resident or citizen
- The different ways you can be tested on your knowledge and English skills
*Source: Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, 3rd Edition. Crown copyright. Reproduced under the Open Government Licence.*
Test your knowledge of Chapter 1
Practice Chapter 1 (72 questions)The study guide content on this site is based on information from Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents, 3rd edition, published by the Home Office. © Crown copyright. This is an independent study tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Home Office or the official test provider. For the official handbook, visit officiallifeintheuk.co.uk.