UK Immigration Rules Appendix O: Approved English Language Tests Deleted
Current rules
Appendix O has been deleted. The current GOV.UK page for Appendix O now states simply: “DELETED.” The English-language rules have instead been consolidated under Appendix English Language. Under the current Appendix English Language, an applicant can meet the English-language requirement through an approved test where they provide: a valid digital reference number; from an approved provider; showing that they passed an approved English-language test; at the required level; and in each required component specified by the relevant immigration route. The test must have been taken within the two years before the date of application. The current rules no longer reproduce the complete list of approved tests within Appendix O. Instead, Appendix English Language directs applicants to the separate Home Office page containing the approved test providers and approved tests. The English-language requirement remains route-specific Appendix English Language continues to apply to numerous immigration routes, including: Student; Skilled Worker; Representative of an Overseas Business; Minister of Religion; International Sportsperson; UK Ancestry; Global Talent; Innovator Founder; High Potential Individual; Scale-up; Private Life; Settlement Family Life; Hong Kong BN(O); Victim of Domestic Abuse; Long Residence; and other specified routes. The level required depends on the relevant route.
Overview
The Home Office has formally deleted Appendix O of the UK Immigration Rules, effective from an unspecified date prior to its removal from the GOV.UK website. This appendix previously detailed the specific English language tests approved for individuals seeking limited leave to enter or remain in the UK under various Immigration Rules routes. The deletion signifies a change in how approved English language tests are referenced or managed within the Immigration Rules framework.
Who is affected by the latest change
- Applicants whose immigration route needs proof of English language
- Student visa applicants
- Skilled Worker applicants
- People applying for UK Ancestry settlement
- Global Talent applicants where the English requirement applies
- High Potential Individual applicants
- Innovator Founder applicants
- Scale-up applicants
- International Sportsperson applicants
- Family and private life applicants who must meet the relevant English requirement
- Applicants for settlement under routes that include Appendix English Language
- Immigration advisers
- Universities and licensed student sponsors
- Employers who sponsor workers
- English language test providers and applicants who use Secure English Language Tests (SELTs)
What changed in the latest version
Before
Before now, the Immigration Rules included a specific section called Appendix O: Approved English Language Tests. This Appendix described the approved framework for English language testing. It also set out the rules for how applicants could show they had the required English language ability by taking an approved test. The old version of Appendix O stated that an applicant could meet the English language requirement. To do this, they had to provide a valid digital reference number from an approved provider. This number had to show that they had passed an approved English language test at the required level within the correct timeframe. So, the Immigration Rules used to have a separate appendix just for approved English language tests.
After
Appendix O has been deleted. The current GOV.UK page for Appendix O now simply says: "DELETED." The rules about English language have now been put together under a new section called Appendix English Language. Under the current Appendix English Language, an applicant can meet the English language requirement by taking an approved test if they provide: a valid digital reference number; from a provider approved by the Home Office; which shows they passed an approved English language test; at the level needed for their application; and in each part of the test (such as speaking, listening, reading, writing) specified for their immigration route. The test must have been taken within the two years before the date they apply. The current rules no longer include the full list of approved tests within Appendix O. Instead, Appendix English Language tells applicants to look at a separate Home Office page. This page lists the approved test providers and approved tests. The English language requirement still depends on the specific immigration route. Appendix English Language still applies to many immigration routes. These include: Student; Skilled Worker; Representative of an Overseas Business; Minister of Religion; International Sportsperson; UK Ancestry; Global Talent; Innovator Founder; High Potential Individual; Scale-up; Private Life; Settlement Family Life; Hong Kong British National (Overseas) — or BN(O); Victim of Domestic Abuse; Long Residence; and other routes that are specified. The English language level needed changes depending on the relevant route.
Appendix O has been deleted. This means applicants and immigration professionals can no longer use this specific appendix to find a clear list of approved English language tests. It is essential to know if the rules for English language proficiency have changed. It is also important to know if they have moved to another part of the Immigration Rules, or if there is now a different way to prove English language ability. If people do not check the updated guidance, applications could be prepared wrongly or rejected. This would happen because they used the wrong English language evidence.
Explained simply
Imagine there was a list of all the toys you were allowed to bring on a trip, called 'Toy List O'. Now, 'Toy List O' has been removed from the rulebook. This doesn't mean you can't bring any toys, but you'll have to look in other parts of the rulebook or ask a grown-up to find out which toys are still allowed for your trip.
Frequently asked
Version history
- v7Effective 3 Aug 2026EffectiveCritical impactUK Immigration Rules Appendix O: Approved English Language Tests Deleted
Immigration Rules Appendix O previously listed the English language tests approved by the Home Office. These tests were for people applying for limited permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom. Appendix O has now been deleted. This means the specific list of approved tests that Appendix O contained is no longer directly in force. The source document confirms that the entire appendix has been removed from the Immigration Rules.
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