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.*
Para solicitar convertirse en residente permanente o ciudadano del UK, necesitará:
- Hablar y leer English
- Tener un buen conocimiento sobre la vida en el UK
Cómo puede ser evaluado
Actualmente existen dos formas en las que puede ser evaluado sobre estos requisitos:
- Realizar el Life in the UK test. Las preguntas están redactadas de manera que requieren un conocimiento del idioma English de nivel English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Entry Level 3, por lo que no es necesario realizar un examen de idioma English por separado. Las personas que se encuentran aquí con visas de trabajo, incluidas las de Tier 1 y Tier 2 del points-based system, normalmente deben aprobar el Life in the UK test para convertirse en residentes permanentes.
- Aprobar un curso de ESOL en English con Citizenship. Deberá realizar este curso si su nivel de English es inferior al ESOL Entry Level 3. El curso le ayudará a mejorar su English y a aprender más sobre la vida en el UK. Al final del curso realizará un examen.
Después de aprobar el examen
Una vez que haya aprobado uno de estos exámenes, puede presentar una solicitud de residencia permanente o British citizenship. El formulario que debe completar y las pruebas que debe aportar dependerán de sus circunstancias personales. Existe una tasa por la presentación de la solicitud, que es diferente para los distintos tipos de solicitud.
Requisitos actualizados
A partir de octubre de 2013, los requisitos cambiaron. Para el establecimiento o la residencia permanente, es necesario:
- Aprobar el Life in the UK test
- Presentar pruebas aceptables de habilidades de habla y escucha en English en el nivel B1 del Common European Framework of Reference. Esto es equivalente al ESOL Entry Level 3.
Los requisitos para las solicitudes de citizenship también pueden cambiar en el futuro. Debe consultar la información en el sitio web del UK government para conocer los requisitos actuales antes de solicitar el establecimiento o la citizenship.
Compruebe que comprende
- El proceso para convertirse en residente permanente o ciudadano
- Las diferentes formas en que puede ser evaluado sobre sus conocimientos y habilidades en 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.