Legislation
Life in the UK - Coronavirus and More
If you are an adult between ages 18 - 65 applying for indefinite leave to remain or British Citizenship you are likely to need to take the Life in the UK test. This is separate from any test you may have to take to prove your English ability and is designed to measure your knowledge of UK daily life. How well it accomplishes this goal is up for debate, with much of the test focusing on obscure historical factoids, but nonetheless it is a mandatory requirement. Here are some of the most commonly asked questions with regard to the test.
Are Life in the UK tests affected by Coronavirus?
As of March 21st, Life in the UK Test centres will be closed in line with official requirements of the UK Government until 13 April 2020 as a precautionary measure against coronavirus (COVID-19).
If you have booked a test to take place during this period, your test booking will be rescheduled automatically to a date after 13 April 2020.
If you are booking a new test, test dates are still available from 13 April 2020.
There is currently no guidance published by the government on what to do if you require Life in the UK to make a visa application and your current visa is due to expire before you will be able to take a test. If this applies to you, you should contact the Coronavirus helpline and explain your situation.
How should I book the test?
You should book the test on the government website be wary of booking through a third party or on any other website as they may not be legitimate. You will need:
- An email address
- A debit or credit card
- An accepted form of ID (such as a passport or BRP)
There are over 30 test centres in the UK to choose from and the fee will be £50. You must book at least 3 days in advance.
What will the test be on?
The test will be on the contents of the official handbook for the Life in the UK test. It will be 45 minutes long and you will have to answer 24 multiple choice questions.
The pass mark is 75% and it is a pass/fail test. If you pass you will be given a unique reference number which you will need to make note of and add to your visa application form.
What if I fail?
If you fail you can take the test again, although you will have to wait 7 days. There is no limit on the number of times you can attempt the test, so if you aim to take it well in advance of the date you intend to make your application you will have plenty of time to have as many attempts as you need if the worst happens. These will not be free though, so it’s advisable to do plenty of revision so you can pass first time!
If you are interested in applying for ILR or British Citizenship, we can help with these applications and many others. Contact us at [email protected]