Immigrants marrying UK citizens will have to take English Language test

Well, there is no interview here, so that would be difficult.   

Also, if they do require this of English speaking people how will they administer it?

If they do it in house that would be a large waste of money to test a bunch of Americans and Canadians.  I suppose you could be from another country and be American and not speak English. 

If they farm it out I would imagine it would be pricey anyway. 

Precisely why they will more than likely charge more for the visas in order to make it happen!

Read this first it shows the Life in the UK is enough or an accredited college ect....

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsfragments/25-kol-settlement1

But very few people that the KOL before moving here and this is all about proving your English skills before getting your first visa.  

I suppose most, perhaps, have some college though.  I am sure they will just charge people more for the privilege of proving they already have a grasp of the language. 

What seems unfair to me is that EU immigrants do not have to know English. I know that has to do with the setup of the EU, but how can you require English-speaking people to take a test while all these European folks don't have to. 

What seems unfair to me is that EU immigrants do not have to know English. I know that has to do with the setup of the EU, but how can you require English-speaking people to take a test while all these European folks don't have to. 

This. I was talking about some of the other reqs for immigrants with someone recently. I think the problem I have with all of them is that they aren't done across the board. If not, what is the true purpose of the new test? Do they want to make sure their immigrants can speak the language (I can't imagine moving somewhere and not knowing the language/making a huge effort first!) or is it just another part of the "See? We're tough on immigration!" crap that's been going on? I think it's the latter, personally.

They cant require EU citizens to prove they speak English because that goes against the code of the EU for open immigration and treaty rights. Thats the only reason Im sure.

They cant require EU citizens to prove they speak English because that goes against the code of the EU for open immigration and treaty rights. Thats the only reason Im sure.

Yes, makes sense.  Just the same as a British citizen doesn't have to speak Polish if he / she moves to Poland.

Here's a thought: http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/uk-to-cut-immigrant-numbers-by-teaching-them-to-read-the-daily-mail-201006092798/

Heehee!

Here's a thought: http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/uk-to-cut-immigrant-numbers-by-teaching-them-to-read-the-daily-mail-201006092798/

Heehee!

HAHAHA Great!

The plan, described by BNP leader Nick Griffin as a 'stroke of genius', will see each new immigrant handed 10 copies of the Daily Mail, a box of high-strength paracetamol and a bucket.

One of the most frustrating arguments is British ex pats don't bother to learn the language of the country in which they settle. I am sure this is true of a significant portion that are ignorant and don't bother equally I am assuming many also do make the effort. Beyond anecdotal evidence does any have any proof or statistics to back such assertions I doubt it. Besides if a sovereign nation decides to enforce strict language skills for its citizen's that is their right and nothing to do with how the British Government run their immigration policy. Besides two wrongs don't make a right I don't see our request foreigners be able to speak basic English as any different what other European countries are insisting.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/2593717.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/8374396.stm

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,188079,00.html

Problem is, this isn't about learning a language.  Language requirements before permanent residency or citizenship is one thing.  This is already a requirement in the UK as well as other countries.  Requiring it before a spouse enters the country is another.  This is definitely going to complicate things for certain families.  Mostly poor people from certain places.

It's totally uncalled for.  There is no work requirement for a spouse visa if the family can support themselves without public funds, so saying it will lead to work is BS.  As I said, this is aimed at a certain type of immigrant.  This will probably just be another cost to the already costly process for those from English speaking countries, those with strong educational systems, or those from families that could afford better education.

For instance, my future sister-in-law may or may not speak English well enough, but my brother-in-law speaks Ukrainian well enough that during his visits there, her not speaking English well enough doesn't really mean their relationship isn't valid.  This new rule may delay or prevent their plans to marry here in the UK in the autumn.  I keep trying to convince him to go the EEA route in another country anyway.  It's a lot cheaper and causes fewer headaches.

They cant require EU citizens to prove they speak English because that goes against the code of the EU for open immigration and treaty rights. Thats the only reason Im sure.

Because the UK has chosen to pool some aspects of sovereignty through its EU membership, people who move from other EU countries to the UK (and the reverse) really aren't "immigrants" in the common sense of the word. Effectively, someone who moves from, say, Spain to the UK is more equivalent to someone who moves from New York to California that someone who moves from the US to the UK.

AFAIC, the KOL already is a 'test of English language' (that and how to rote memorise facts temporarily ) so something further just seems redundant.  Sorry if this has already been mentioned.

AFAIC, the KOL already is a 'test of English language' (that and how to rote memorise facts temporarily ) so something further just seems redundant.  Sorry if this has already been mentioned.

But, usually, you don't take the KOL till you've been in the UK for at least 3 years.

It seems like you'll have to take an English test much earlier now.

AFAIC, the KOL already is a 'test of English language' (that and how to rote memorise facts temporarily ) so something further just seems redundant.  Sorry if this has already been mentioned.

Agree with this.

To separate families in this way appears discriminatory to me.   

At least give people the chance to learn English by being in the UK and prove it by such methods as KOL - it seems fairer.