Will You Need B2 English for ILR or British Citizenship in 2027?

Updated 6 October 2026: This post has been updated to reflect the latest Home Office guidance on the English language requirements for settlement (ILR) and British citizenship.

Many people planning to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or British citizenship have heard that the English language requirement is changing in 2027. This has caused some confusion about exactly who will need B2 English.

The important thing to know is that the B2 change applies to settlement (ILR), not currently to British citizenship.

What Is Changing for ILR?

For many settlement routes, the English language requirement is currently CEFR B1.

For applications made on or after 26 March 2027, this will increase to CEFR B2.

In simple terms:

• Settlement/ILR application before 26 March 2027 → B1

• Settlement/ILR application on or after 26 March 2027 → B2

  
  

The change applies to a number of settlement routes, including Skilled Worker, Long Residence, UK Ancestry and several family and other routes. The exact requirements can vary depending on the immigration route.

For the affected routes, the Immigration Rules generally refer to demonstrating English at the required level through speaking and listening, although applicants should check the rules for their particular route. For example, the Skilled Worker settlement rules specifically state B2 in speaking and listening from 26 March 2027.

Does the B2 Change Apply to British Citizenship?

No — not currently.

The English language requirement for British citizenship by naturalisation remains B1 CEFR or higher.

The current Home Office guidance for Form AN, updated in July 2026, confirms that a Home Office-approved English qualification at B1 or higher can satisfy the English language requirement for naturalisation.

This means that the new B2 requirement for settlement should not be confused with the English requirement for British citizenship.

If you have already obtained ILR using a B1 English qualification, the current Home Office guidance also confirms that you meet the English-language requirement for naturalisation and do not need to take another English test.

When Does the Change Take Effect?

The new B2 settlement requirement comes into force on 26 March 2027.

So, if you are working towards ILR, it is important to check which English requirement applies to you based on your immigration route and the date you expect to apply.

If you are applying for British citizenship by naturalisation, however, the English requirement remains B1 for now.

In Summary

The simplest way to remember the change is:

ILR / settlement: B1 → B2 from 26 March 2027 for many affected routes.

British citizenship / naturalisation: B1 remains the requirement.

Immigration rules can change, so always check the latest GOV.UK guidance before taking an English test or making an application.

Official information: Immigration Rules – Appendix KoLL and Form AN guidance.