ILR Life In The UK Test

Hi everyone, you were all super helpful before with your advice on the best study tools for the Life in the UK test- feeling prepared now!

This is a question I am not sure anyone will have an answer to, but I am getting antsy as I am able to apply for my ILR anytime between May 28 (28 days before my 5 yrs in the UK) and August 9 (biometrics expiration date).

My test has been pushed to mid-June, and I fear it may be pushed yet again (my original date was due to be May 4th, so was pushed back over a month). To be safe and not caught off guard, I'm  preparing for the worst (hopefully needlessly), and am just nervous what will happen if it comes down to answering NO to the question on the app that asks if you have passed the Life in the UK test.

Does anyone have any insiders knowledge or advice on this situation? Thanks in advance.

We don’t have any information yet on what will happen regarding Covid and Life in the UK tests.

I assume there will be measures put in place in the case that you are unable to take the test due to Covid (I.e. you may be allowed to submit the application anyway and then send the pass certificate when you are able to take it),  but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens in the next few weeks.


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We are also facing the same issue. I’m crossing my fingers that the UKVI will come out with some guidance very soon.


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Thank you as always Ksand, always feel a bit of relief when I see a response from you!

Thanks for responding, Ash. It's a bit nerve-racking isn't it? Of course there will be plenty of people in the same boat and there is nothing that can be done on our end, but it does still make you worry. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly relieved to hear from someone in the same situation. I was considering calling the UKVI contact centre at some point this week, if I do I will certainly update this thread.

Thank you as always Ksand, always feel a bit of relief when I see a response from you!

Thanks for responding, Ash. It's a bit nerve-racking isn't it? Of course there will be plenty of people in the same boat and there is nothing that can be done on our end, but it does still make you worry. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly relieved to hear from someone in the same situation. I was considering calling the UKVI contact centre at some point this week, if I do I will certainly update this thread.

I would definitely be interested in anything they can tell you! I hope that is it positive news.

It is reassuring that there are going to be many people going through the same issue as it will force the Government to do something. I know they have extended other visas so I was hopeful that would be the case for spousal visas too but nothing seems to have become of that.


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Thank you as always Ksand, always feel a bit of relief when I see a response from you!

Thanks for responding, Ash. It's a bit nerve-racking isn't it? Of course there will be plenty of people in the same boat and there is nothing that can be done on our end, but it does still make you worry. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't slightly relieved to hear from someone in the same situation. I was considering calling the UKVI contact centre at some point this week, if I do I will certainly update this thread.

How did you get on with UKVI?

I’ve checked today and all of the appointments are fully booked until August now!


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I would definitely be interested in anything they can tell you! I hope that is it positive news.

It is reassuring that there are going to be many people going through the same issue as it will force the Government to do something. I know they have extended other visas so I was hopeful that would be the case for spousal visas too but nothing seems to have become of that.


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What a huge mess this is. My ILR is due July 22nd. It would make so much more sense to just automatically extend everyone's visas that are due. Instead, they expect you to apply by the application date (I can't even take the Life in the UK test), and then just wait around for God knows how long. Makes no sense at all.

When everything started blowing up with the coronavirus back in March, never did I think it would come to all this.

I know no-one could have predicted where we would be now due to coronavirus so it's a real shame for those of you who have been caught out in this way. But I just wanted to mention in case anyone reading is not aware, that you can sit your Life in the UK test at any time once in the UK on your spouse visa.
In fact, we have always encouraged people to take it earlier rather than later because it is a drag having to study for it and it's a major stressor out of the way once you have passed. 

How did you get on with UKVI?

Hi Ash, I just got off the phone with them (sorry for the delay). They have told me to apply as normal and to add a covering letter noting the issue with the Life in the UK Test( centres being closed). They also said to attach the email showing they have had to move my test along with the new date of my test. He said once they go through my application they should get in touch for the certificate (assuming I'll have been able to take the test by then), or he said it may even be possible that the test centres will be able to send the certificate on for me in said situation (though I imagine they'll leave it up to you). Admittedly I don't feel comfortable waiting for them to get in touch for the cert- I'll probably spam them with it if I take the test after I apply!

Luckily the date they have moved me to falls within my timeframe of being able to apply between May 28-August 8, so I will wait until my new test date of June 15 and apply after that- whether I have taken the test or not. Hopefully applying with the completion cert (though the date isn't looking terribly likely).

What a huge mess this is. My ILR is due July 22nd. It would make so much more sense to just automatically extend everyone's visas that are due. Instead, they expect you to apply by the application date (I can't even take the Life in the UK test), and then just wait around for God knows how long.

I know, Karlee. It is adding so much stress on to something that is already incredibly stressful. At least you know you aren't the only one in this situation, if that gives you any comfort.

But I just wanted to mention in case anyone reading is not aware, that you can sit your Life in the UK test at any time once in the UK on your spouse visa.

Thanks, Larrabee. I only found this out after the fact and so wish this was more widely broadcasted or else I certainly would've taken it years ago. But thank you for noting here, hopefully you save someone else a bit of stress.


Also to mention, incase anyone was wondering, I asked if we were able to travel outside of the UK while our applications are being process (as things have changed and we no longer need to send our passports). I was told you CAN travel outside of the UK if it is before your biometrics appointment. If you have already had your biometrics appointment you are not able to leave the UK. (Seems Christmas with my family in the US is likely off the table this year).

Wow jspay, thanks so much for all the info. My application date is still a couple months away... so hoping we'll have more guidance by then. And that visa centers, etc. will be moving towards reopening.

I intended to take my Life in the UK test in April-May. Yeah, that's not happening. I'm still studying for it now. I should know all those quizzes like the back of my hand by the time I can finally take it.

Hi Jspay

Thank you so much for getting back on this. I think the more information that is shared about this the more it can put minds to rest.

There seems to be a large amount of people that are in this same boat as most of the test slots seem to have filled up. Who knows how long it might take to book a resit for the test if this is ever required.

I checked today on the Life in the U.K. test website and it still says they are closed. With no date for when they may reopen it’s anyone’s guess when the test will actually be available.


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They should either: extend our current visas altogether, waive the test requirement (prob unlikely), or grant us ILR then have us take the test when we can, by a certain date.

This has been a stressful situation, and the lack of guidance was really concerning me. But, it's good to know that we're all in the same boat.

...or grant us ILR then have us take the test when we can, by a certain date.

It sounds like this is essentially what they are doing (not granting it I suppose, but having applications carry on as normal). But it's good there isn't a cut off as who knows how many times they will have to shift pre-booked tests or how far down the line they will need to be pushed. 

But I agree the fact I had to call and wait on hold to get this information is frustrating, it should be readily available online, and if it is, it certainly isn't easy to track down because I haven't seen it.

There seems to be a large amount of people that are in this same boat as most of the test slots seem to have filled up.

I did the same today and had a look at when the next available slots are in my area and July 31st is the first date with any in all of London. I suppose you're safe if you already have your booking as they will move it for you and you have proof of your original booking, but who knows how many months away they will move it. And weeks ago they had dates listed of when you should book a test after (I think it was you cannot book any earlier than May 14th), now there isn't a date at all, just "for the foreseeable".

I may call back in a few weeks, just to see if any guidelines change. Will definitely update in this thread, and if anyone else gets any info, do please share. If nothing else, this has been a great little support group!

They should either: extend our current visas altogether, waive the test requirement (prob unlikely), or grant us ILR then have us take the test when we can, by a certain date.

We’ll have to wait and see, but what I imagine will probably happen is that they will put your ILR application on hold until you can pass the test, and then grant it when they have received the pass certificate.

Which is similar to what they were doing when the IHS surcharge website wouldn’t let you pay the IHS for children, so what they did was process your application and when they were ready to approve it, they would contact you and ask you to pay the IHS surcharge for the child. Once the payment was received, they would issue the visa within a couple of days.


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I'm sure you've all seen that some biometrics centres are opening from tomorrow June 1st, same goes for testing centres for the Life in the UK test. I think I am lucky in that the centre my test is due to happen on the 15th is opening. Do have a check if any around you are!