Citizenship Tests

In a curiously worded statement issued yesterday, IND announced that later this year they will announce the start date of citizenship tests.

An announcement about an upcoming announcement so to speak. 

I take it to mean that the tests will probably pilot in the spring of 2006 and go live in the summer.   I have signed up for the pilot just to get familiar with what material they plan to cover...

Thanks god I just applied for my citizenship last week, I'd hate to have to go thru the bother of having to take it.

On the other hand, it'd be interesting to see a sample test.

Matt

I saw that statement, and if I'm not mistaken some of those tests will be extended to ILR, that is the English language and knowledge of the UK tests.  Hopefully my application will just make it through in the summer next year!

Sigh...just in time for my October 2006 citizenship application!   

I got a letter on Saturday saying my citizenship application is successful and that I'll be receiving a letter telling me to make an appointment for an oath ceremony.  Yes, I've cleared the citizenship test hurdle!

There's a PDF on the Home Office website which discusses how people will be able to obtain citizenship.  It doesn't state any specific dates but it's interesting to see that nothing will need to be sent to the Home Office to prove English language ability as the tests themselves will take care of that.  Additionally, there are exemptions from taking the test if you are below ESOL level 3 in which case you'll need to take classes or if you are too old or infirmed.

The only benefit I would have received is that I wouldn't have gotten my diploma folded in half and creased by the Home Office when it came back!! 

http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/ind/en/home/news/press_releases/new_language_requirement.Maincontent.0002.file.tmp/wmslanguagetest.pdf

Matt

I saw that statement, and if I'm not mistaken some of those tests will be extended to ILR, that is the English language and knowledge of the UK tests.  Hopefully my application will just make it through in the summer next year!

Oh you are joking. As if it's not enough to pay through the teeth for ILR, now we have to take a flippin' test?!  Gary, any idea if this is true and if so when it'll be implemented? I'll be applying for ILR toward the end of next summer....

I'm guessing the citizenship tests will kick in mid-late next year - but it's only a guess.  The study guide was £9.99 when I got it, hopefully it's the same price.

So it's going to apply to ILR too? I'm still 2 years away from citizenship, so I'm prepared to have to do that test...

Oh, and congrats, Matt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for that info...I should be applying for citizenship next year..that is if i can scrape the £200-300 needed...ouch

Thanks Anne!  Perhaps they should just test every British citizen in the UK, see what the average score is? 

Matt

So it's going to apply to ILR too?

Yeah, that's what I want to know - specifically - too. 

Hello all!

The first paragraph in the statement includes the following: "A separate statement on the implementation of similar tests for those seeking permanent settlement in the United Kingdom, announced in principle on 7 February in Controlling our Borders, the five-year strategy for asylum and immigration, will be made in due course."

I think they are talking about ILR there, I could be mistaken!

Hello all!

The first paragraph in the statement includes the following: "A separate statement on the implementation of similar tests for those seeking permanent settlement in the United Kingdom, announced in principle on 7 February in Controlling our Borders, the five-year strategy for asylum and immigration, will be made in due course."

I think they are talking about ILR there, I could be mistaken!

I hope that's just for asylum seekers - but, it's the fault of the asylum seekers that is making it so !"£$%^ difficult for those of us just wanting to be with our beloved spouses!

I hope that's just for asylum seekers - but, it's the fault of the asylum seekers that is making it so !"£$%^ difficult for those of us just wanting to be with our beloved spouses!

Uh huh, I'm sure that the asylum seekers are at fault here.  They haven't got enough to worry about what with fleeing their homelands and leaving possessions and loved ones behind to escape torture and who-knows-what-else.  Shame on them for making your life a teeny tiny bit more inconvenient. 

I don't think this will be a big deal.  Gaining the right to live in a foregin country isn't easy, but surely going through one or two more hoops isn't going to kill any of us.  We all speak English (though some Brits would contest this, I'm sure) and we've got it relatively easy compared to those in much more difficult circumstances. 

But then, since I'm done with all the immigration hoops, maybe that's easy for me to say. 

I don't think so.  I'll be applying for ILR in a few months (if all goes as planned) because I get to skip the spousal visa.  I certainly don't mind taking a little test-what's the big deal?  I think that I *should* know something about the country I'm going to live in, and I think it's right that the IND might want me to know something about their country before I plop myself and my family down in it.  I agree that the expense is a little upsetting, but the process certainly isn't-and correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think anyone here has had that hard a time getting to be with their spouses-we certainly haven't had anyone denied a spousal visa, have we?  Although I know that does sometimes happen to asylum seekers... 

Personally, I think it's the people who are creating false marriages in an attempt to defraud the IND, and not the poor asylum seekers, who create immigration problems for the rest of us.  But then, I don't buy into the subtle racism that says asylum seekers are automatically criminals and so should be required to take even more extra steps that the rest of us don't either, so perhaps that's just me.