ILR English Requirement 2026 — Translating the Evidence
English is one of the two knowledge tests you must pass for ILR. If you rely on a foreign degree taught in English, the translation of that degree is usually what decides the outcome.
Indefinite Leave to Remain asks you to pass the Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK test. You can meet the English part in three ways. You can sit a Secure English Language Test (SELT). You can use a recognised UK or overseas degree that was taught in English. Or you can be exempt because you are a national of a majority English-speaking country. This 2026 guide covers the middle route — how we translate foreign degrees so UKVI accepts them.
About the 2026 English requirement level
The Home Office has said it plans to raise the English language requirement from B1 to B2 CEFR for some routes and settlement stages. The level that applies to you depends on your visa route and the date of the decision. Always check the caseworker guidance for the rule in force on the day you submit.
How Foreign Degrees Prove English
UKVI accepts a degree from an institution outside the UK if:
- The degree is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or higher, as confirmed by Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC).
- The degree was taught in English — Ecctis will confirm this as an "Academic Qualification Level Statement" plus a separate "English Language Statement".
- The degree's language of instruction is documented by the awarding institution.
For each point above, you usually need a certified English translation of the foreign documents before Ecctis can assess them.
Documents Typically Translated
Degree certificate
The scroll or diploma that confirms the award. We keep the qualification name in the original language in brackets.
Academic transcript
The full list of subjects, grades and credits. We explain the grading system in a translator's note so Ecctis can read it.
Medium-of-instruction letter
A signed letter from the university's registrar. It confirms the course was taught in English. You need it if the university is in a country where English is not the main language.
Syllabus or module handbook
Useful when the teaching language is in doubt. It shows what language the course materials were in.
Translating an Academic Transcript — What to Watch For
Transcripts are tricky because grading systems differ so much. A Spanish "notable" is not the same as a French "assez bien", even though both sit close to a UK 2:2. We keep the original grades and add a translator's note that explains the scale:
| Country | Top grade | Pass grade | UK approximation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | Matrícula de Honor (10) | Aprobado (5) | First / Third |
| France | Très bien (16–20/20) | Passable (10/20) | First / Third |
| Germany | Sehr gut (1.0) | Ausreichend (4.0) | First / Third (inverted) |
| Italy | 110 e lode | 66/110 | First / Third |
| India | Distinction (75%+) | Pass (35–40%) | First / Third |
| China | 优秀 (90+) | 及格 (60) | First / Third |
Important: we translate — Ecctis does the equivalence mapping
Translators never tell UKVI what a foreign grade is "worth" in UK terms. That is Ecctis's job. We keep the original grade and explain the scale in neutral terms. The statutory body then decides the equivalence.
Alternative Route: SELT Translation (Rare But Useful)
If you sat a SELT at a UKVI-approved test centre, the awarding body issues the certificate itself (IELTS, LanguageCert, Trinity and others). It usually needs no translation. Two situations still lead to translation requests:
- Bilingual SELT reports (for example Arabic-English), where you want a clean English version for your records and your solicitor.
- Old language certificates issued with notes in the local language, such as a Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English from decades ago.
What a Certified Academic Translation Includes
- The degree name in English, with the original in brackets. A note shows whether the award is academic (Bachelor, Licenciatura, Lisans) or professional (Diploma, Título).
- The name of the awarding institution in the original script, plus an English spelling.
- Date of award in UK format.
- The grading scale explained in a note, with every grade kept as it appears.
- Official seals, embossed stamps and security marks described in labelled blocks.
- Certification page compatible with Ecctis and UKVI.
Turnaround and Cost
- Degree certificate alone: 24 hours, single-page certified translation.
- Degree + transcript + medium-of-instruction letter: 2–3 working days.
- Full Ecctis evaluation bundle: 3–5 working days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Ecctis to assess my degree if it was taught in English?
Yes, if a university outside the UK awarded the degree. Ecctis issues the official English Language Statement that UKVI requires. Our translation of your documents is usually the first step.
My university's medium-of-instruction letter is in the local language. Do I need that translated too?
Yes. The letter must be in English, or come with a translation. Without a certified English translation, Ecctis cannot use the letter, even if it says the course was in English.
What if my degree is from one of the listed English-speaking countries?
If the degree comes from a country on the UKVI English-speaking country list (USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and others) and is issued in English, you usually need no translation. Scottish and Northern Irish degrees are UK degrees, so they are not translated either.
Does my translation need an apostille?
The translation itself is not apostilled. The original degree certificate is, where Ecctis needs it for checks. We translate the apostille along with the degree.
Can my parents' English qualifications be used?
No. The English requirement applies to you, not to your relatives. Only your own degree, SELT or nationality exemption counts.
I'm exempt on age grounds. Do I still need to translate anything?
People over 65 are usually exempt from the English requirement. You still need to prove your age, and a foreign birth certificate needs a certified translation — our birth certificate translation guide covers that.
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Spanish Translation
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Arabic Translation
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