Hi all, My Filipino wife's first FLR(M) visa expires next year, so we are researching what she will need in order to apply for her FLR(M) extension. She only passed the IELTS Life Skills A1 test originally - which was sufficient for her initial fiancée entry clearance and first FLR(M). I would like to be sure what she needs to satisfy her FLR(M) extension. According to ielts.org, she needs an A2 Speaking and Listening pass, but I can't find this specified on the UK government website - which I would prefer to see before paying out the fees. Can anyone either point me to the correct government page or confirm 100% that A2 is sufficient for this visa? Thank you!
LOL, typical. Immediately after posting, I think I may have found it: https://www.gov.uk/uk-family-visa/knowledge-of-english "If you want to settle permanently in the UK within 5 years If you took the CEFR A1 when you first applied for your visa, you’ll need to take a CEFR A2 test when you apply to stay after 2.5 years." I assume CEFR A2 is equivalent to IELTS A2?
I’d personally go for the B1 because she can potentially use that again when applying for the ILR after 5 years if the rules doesn’t change. I took B1 when I applied for my 2nd FLR(M) last year and will use it again when applying for ILR.
She's stressing enough as it is, so taking a less intensive test now (A2), and having another 2 (or so) years to improve her English for B1 is more preferable to her . Just wanted some re-assurance that A2 is definitely the correct requirement for the second FLR(M).
Has anyone - or, more specifically, anyone's partner - ACTUALLY gone directly from A1 to B1 IELTS, skipping the A2 test, when applying for their second FLR(M)... AND been successful??? The guidelines that @thingymejig2 has Copied & Pasted above do say "... If you want to settle permanently in the UK within 5 years If you took the CEFR A1 when you first applied for your visa, you’ll need to take a CEFR A2 test when you apply to stay after 2.5 years." - They don't say "... you’ll need to take (at least) a CEFR A2, or B1 ..." ???
Thanks for the confirmation. I would hate for my wife to have taken the B1 test for her second 2.5 year FLR(M), only to be told she should have taken the A2 test!
