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.*
Aby ubiegać się o status stałego rezydenta lub obywatela UK, będziesz musiał:
- Mówić i czytać po English
- Dobrze rozumieć życie w UK
Jak możesz zostać przetestowany
Obecnie istnieją dwa sposoby, w jakie możesz zostać sprawdzony pod kątem tych wymogów:
- Podejdź do Life in the UK test. Pytania są sformułowane w sposób wymagający znajomości języka English na poziomie English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Entry Level 3, więc nie ma potrzeby przystępowania do oddzielnego testu z języka English. Osoby przebywające tutaj na wizach pracowniczych, w tym na Tier 1 i Tier 2 points-based system, zazwyczaj muszą zdać Life in the UK test, aby zostać stałymi rezydentami.
- Zdać kurs ESOL w języku English z Citizenship. Będziesz musiał wziąć udział w tym kursie, jeśli Twój poziom języka English jest poniżej ESOL Entry Level 3. Kurs pomoże Ci poprawić Twój English i dowiedzieć się więcej o życiu w UK. Na koniec kursu przystąpisz do testu.
Po zdaniu testu
Gdy zdasz jeden z tych testów, możesz złożyć wniosek o stały pobyt lub British citizenship. Formularz, który musisz wypełnić, oraz dowody, które musisz przedstawić, będą zależeć od Twojej osobistej sytuacji. Za złożenie wniosku pobierana jest opłata, która różni się w zależności od rodzaju wniosku.
Zaktualizowane wymogi
Od October 2013 wymogi uległy zmianie. W przypadku osiedlenia się lub stałego pobytu musisz:
- Zdać Life in the UK test
- Przedstawić akceptowalne dowody umiejętności mówienia i słuchania w języku English na poziomie B1 Common European Framework of Reference. Jest to odpowiednik ESOL Entry Level 3.
Wymogi dotyczące wniosków o citizenship mogą również ulec zmianie w przyszłości. Przed złożeniem wniosku o osiedlenie się lub citizenship należy sprawdzić informacje na stronie internetowej UK government pod kątem aktualnych wymogów.
Sprawdź, czy rozumiesz
- Proces zostawania stałym rezydentem lub obywatelem
- Różne sposoby sprawdzania Twojej wiedzy i umiejętności językowych w zakresie English
*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.