Life in the UK test: costs expected to rise
It is a requirement of UK immigration and nationality law that those wishing to naturalise as British Citizens or to settle (get Indefinite Leave to Remain, ILR) in the UK must demonstrate a knowledge of life and language in the UK. There are two ways in which this can be done. One is to take the official ‘Life in the UK’ test, the other is to complete a recognised and accredited course in English as a Second Language (ESOL) with citizenship as part of its curriculum.
The current cost of the Life in the UK test is £34. However, the Home Office have said that Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has indicated that the test will be liable to Value-Added Tax (VAT) so the costs may soon rise. VAT is currently charged at 17.5% of the cost of the item charged, so the rise may be significant.
There is no restriction on who can take a Life in the UK test, nor any time limit on the validity of the test. A person intending to apply for British Citizenship or for ILR in a couple years time could, if they wished to do so, take the test now.
The new revised Life in the UK: A Journey to Citizenship Handbook, which prepares you to sit the Life in the UK Test, has now been published. The Handbook was revised to simplify the level of English in the previous edition. The revised edition contains updated information, advice on areas of the book to concentrate on to prepare for the test, and a glossary. The test is being revised. The government says that people taking a test on or after 2 April 2007 should study the revised edition of the Handbook, but says that people who already have a copy of the old edition can continue to use it to prepare for tests before 2 July 2007. If you do not already have a Handbook, and need one, buy the new edition.
The preface to the Handbook warns people to 'think carefully' before buying any of the so-called 'study guides' to the Life in the UK test, sometimes found in bookshops or on the internet. It points out that none of these is officially approved, although some suggest that they are, and that there is a risk that such guides will either not help candidates much, or worse, mislead them into expecting different questions. The test questions are based on the Life in the UK : A Journey to Citizenship Handbook and this is the book that any reputable firm of lawyers will recommend that you purchase.
The requirement to demonstrate a knowledge of life and language in the UK was first introduced for applications for British Citizenship. From 2 April 2007 it was extended to applications for settlement. People aged 18 to 65 who are applying for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain - ILR) in the UK after 2 April 2007 have to prove that they have both knowledge of life in the UK and knowledge of the English language. This affects everyone in the UK applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain, whether they are applying because they are married to a British Citizen or because they have worked here for over five years. If a family is applying for settlement, all members of the family aged between 18 and 65 will need to meet the requirements. European Economic Area (EEA) nationals are not affected.
Alison Harvey, Gherson and Co.
