English exam before visa application

[john sergison]

Hello all. I have been searching online regarding the English Language Test that is required now.

I am seeing a cost of 8 thousand peso plus when I search. Is that correct or is that for a course of instruction as well as the examination?

Also does anyone know if there is a place in BACOLOD that does this examination?

This is for a friend of mine, thank God my asawa missed this extra thing.

[Terpe]

Hello all. I have been searching online regarding the English language Test that is required now.

I am seeing a cost of 8 thousand peso plus when I search. Is that correct or is that for a course of instruction as well as the examination?

Also does anyone know if there is a place in BACOLOD that does this examination?

This is for a friend of mine, thank God my asawa missed this extra thing.

Which visa John? Is UK Entry visa?
If so that's about the right price.

It needs to be a Test and test provider approved by UKVI

Here's the approved listing (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/261533/new-approved-english-tests.pdf)

[MissDi]

I only spent 5,500 pesos on mine last year. I took the TOEIC exam in January. I used the one in Makati, Hopkins International. Very friendly people and accommodating. They offer (paid) workshop as well before the exam which really helps too. Goodluck to your friend :)

[Jentobeharrison]

Yup, I also took TOEIC in Hopkins at Makati, 5,500 for Listening and Reading (cannot be separated) and Speaking. I agree Miss Di, they are very nice and humble. Also, the exams are quite easy.

[Terpe]

...Also does anyone know if there is a place in BACOLOD that does this examination?

This is for a friend of mine, thank God my asawa missed this extra thing.

John,
There are a couple of possibilities for Bacolod. Have your friend contact these:-

British Council - Bacolod

Tel: +63 2 914 1011-14
Fax: +63 2 914 1020
Email: ielts@britishcouncil.org.ph
Web: www.britishcouncil.org.ph

IDP Education Pty Ltd - Bacolod

Tel: 63 2 816 0755
Fax: 63 2 815 9875
Email: info.manila@idp.com
Web: http://www.philippines.idp.com/ielts.aspx

[MissDi]

Yup, I also took TOEIC in Hopkins at Makati, 5,500 for Listening and Reading (cannot be separated) and Speaking. I agree Miss Di, they are very nice and humble. Also, the exams are quite easy.

indeed :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[majo]

Hello..ielts is offering two english test levels, academic and general, im on a fiancee visa btw. My partner called someone from the immigration i think, to ask about what test do i have to take. He said that i have to take the four categories which are listening, reading, writing and speaking, and that i should obtain a result of 4? Are these true?

[cheekee]

Yes that is correct.

[will1927]

Centre for International Education, Manila.

KET English Test 2,500 peso

http://cie.edu/home/

Will

[sdm]

Hi Everyone, I am trying to get a Fiancé Visa and understand my girlfriend will have to book and take an IELTS test, they do 2 types Academic and General, plus they have something called Life Skills which is another test.

Does anyone know what she will have to have? I rang the Border Agency Here and could not get a straight answer as to exactly what is required.

Thanks in advance.

SDM

[Michael Parnham]

General IELTS,:xxgrinning--00xx3:

[cheekee]

For settlement visas Life skills A1 will be sufficient (spouse visa)

For ILR and citizenship then life skills B1 or higher.

Worth going for life skills B1 if her English skills are good enough as you wont have to do it again.

If working as a nurse or similar then academic training with score 7 or higher.

http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/ielts_in_the_uk/for_uk_visas_and_immigration.aspx

I have just been through this.

Needs to be taken at an approved centre. This can be checked here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/456540/2015-08-26_-_Approved_Secure_English_Language_Tests_and_Test_Centres.pdf


Life skills costs around 11,500 pesos.

[Harry T]

General , Life Skills, and though its in 4 parts, Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening, its only Speaking and Listening that count, but as others have pointed out it HAS to be at an Approved Centre, the so called cheaper options may NOT be at an approved Centre, the majority are around 7/8,000+ pesos, and they usually include a short course followed by the exam. Good luck :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[sdm]

For settlement visas Life skills A1 will be sufficient (spouse visa)

For ILR and citizenship then life skills B1 or higher.

Worth going for life skills B1 if her English skills are good enough as you wont have to do it again.

If working as a nurse or similar then academic training with score 7 or higher.

http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/ielts_in_the_uk/for_uk_visas_and_immigration.aspx

I have just been through this.

Needs to be taken at an approved centre. This can be checked here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/456540/2015-08-26_-_Approved_Secure_English_Language_Tests_and_Test_Centres.pdf


Life skills costs around 11,500 pesos.

Sorry,

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I am still unsure exactly what she needs, we are applying for a Fiancé Visa, I know it has to be taken at the correct place but I just need to know what has to be booked. I looked on the IELTS webpage and I cannot actually find "Fiancé" visa requirements on it they have "Family of a settled person" and "Indefinite Leave to Remain or Citizenship" Visa's.

thanks for your help,

SDM

[sdm]

General IELTS,:xxgrinning--00xx3:

So just the one test "Genera" IELTS needs to be booked, basically I don't want her to do more than necessary.

thanks again,

SDM

[sdm]

General , Life Skills, and though its in 4 parts, Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening, its only Speaking and Listening that count, but as others have pointed out it HAS to be at an Approved Centre, the so called cheaper options may NOT be at an approved Centre, the majority are around 7/8,000+ pesos, and they usually include a short course followed by the exam. Good luck :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Thanks for your reply, I just need to know which ones to book, I don't want her to have to do more than is necessary.

SDM.

[Harry T]

IELTS General, Life Skills; here will give you the Info that you need,

http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/findtest_ukvi.aspx

You need a Life Skills pass at B1, IELTS 4 in Speaking and Listening

[sdm]

IELTS General, Life Skills; here will give you the Info that you need,

http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/findtest_ukvi.aspx

You need a Life Skills pass at B1, IELTS 4 in Speaking and Listening

Hi Harry,

thanks for your reply,

This is so confusing I have just called IELTS in the Philippines and asked them what test she needs, they are saying they "think" its an A1 Life Skills test. I said so you "Think" that is what is required! I am so frustrated, I need to get this test booked for her ASAP.

What makes it harder is that there is no reference on the UK.Gov website to a "Fiancé" Visa so I am probably not using the right term.

SDM.

[raynaputi]

Take Life Skills B1.

Fiance is included in the settlement type of visa.

[sdm]

Take Life Skills B1.

Fiance is included in the settlement type of visa.

Hmmm this is really annoying me now, I am being told A1 not B1, what is the difference? Which one is harder?

Border Agency are saying A1, IELTS when I called them said A1, yet everyone here thinks B1, I just don't know what to book.

SDM.

[raynaputi]

A1 is the minimum requirement to enter UK. But taking that, she would need to retake again coz ILR and citizeship would require her to have a B1 level. So might as well take the B1 level to save money for retake. I believe cheekee's wife has managed to pass the B1 test.

[Harry T]

I have just spent 45 minutes going round in circles on the UKV&I website, i give up with it, because it seems its mainly for Online applications, with a need to register and i dont wish to register just to check things out.

If as Raynaputi says, and which i also believe, then Life Skills B1 is sufficient,

Cambridge
English: Key
(also known as
Key English
Test)
Cambridge
English
Language
Assessment A1
A2
B1
Refer to the “Result” on your
Statement of Results:
Level A1 and:
Listening – Weak
Speaking – Weak
Reading – Weak
Writing – Weak
A2, Pass or Pass with Merit and:
Listening – Borderline
Speaking – Borderline
Reading – Borderline
Writing – Borderline
B1, Pass with Distinction and:
Listening – Exceptional
Speaking – Exceptional
Reading – Exceptional
Writing – Exceptional
No expiry
(5th
November
2015 for a
UK
Immigration
application
when taken
on or before
5
th April
2015)

So there you are B1 is higher than A1, so B1 is the one to go for.. Phew

[cheekee]

Yes my wife just did Life skills B1 as Raynaputi says.

We did it because then she wouldn't have to do it again later.

It depends how good your fiancée's english is but my wife passed with no problem.

My wife had to do hers with another candidate who was taking A1. My wife in fact was the only one on that day doing the B1 level. She had to have conversations with another candidate and some conversations with the examiner. Then she did her reading.

[cheekee]

Get your fiancee to look at some test papers and see how she feels about it.

[Terpe]

sdm,

The Life Skills A1 level is the minimum passing grade.
It's a pretty basic level

If her English language is pretty good then better to go for Life Skills B1 level. Yes it's a higher level.

If in any doubt at all just book the Life Skill A1 as that's perfectly acceptable for entry clearance for all family settlement routes.

Keep it simple

[sdm]

A1 is the minimum requirement to enter UK. But taking that, she would need to retake again coz ILR and citizeship would require her to have a B1 level. So might as well take the B1 level to save money for retake. I believe cheekee's wife has managed to pass the B1 test.

Thanks Raynaputi, I have actually booked the A1, but now wish I had booked B1 as her English is good.

SDM.

[sdm]

I have just spent 45 minutes going round in circles on the UKV&I website, i give up with it, because it seems its mainly for Online applications, with a need to register and i dont wish to register just to check things out.

If as Raynaputi says, and which i also believe, then Life Skills B1 is sufficient,

Cambridge
English: Key
(also known as
Key English
Test)
Cambridge
English
Language
Assessment A1
A2
B1
Refer to the “Result” on your
Statement of Results:
Level A1 and:
Listening – Weak
Speaking – Weak
Reading – Weak
Writing – Weak
A2, Pass or Pass with Merit and:
Listening – Borderline
Speaking – Borderline
Reading – Borderline
Writing – Borderline
B1, Pass with Distinction and:
Listening – Exceptional
Speaking – Exceptional
Reading – Exceptional
Writing – Exceptional
No expiry
(5th
November
2015 for a
UK
Immigration
application
when taken
on or before
5
th April
2015)

So there you are B1 is higher than A1, so B1 is the one to go for.. Phew

I know exactly how you feel, I was going round in circles, even the Border Control people kept giving me different answers!!

SDM

[sdm]

Get your fiancee to look at some test papers and see how she feels about it.

I have booked and paid for A1 after the Pay Pal payment system failed 7 times!!!!! I now wish I had booked B1 as her English is good.

[sdm]

sdm,

The Life Skills A1 level is the minimum passing grade.
It's a pretty basic level

If her English language is pretty good then better to go for Life Skills B1 level. Yes it's a higher level.

If in any doubt at all just book the Life Skill A1 as that's perfectly acceptable for entry clearance for all family settlement routes.

Keep it simple

Hi Terpe,

I have booked A1 although I think she would be able to get B1,

I wonder what happens if someone who is in the UK and married then fails to get B1?

If they ran out of time would they get deported?

SDM.

[cheekee]

I have booked and paid for A1 after the Pay Pal payment system failed 7 times!!!!! I now wish I had booked B1 as her English is good.

Did you book an approved centre ?

Who did you book with ?

When I booked the IELTS life skills B1 with british council Philippines, there was no paypal system. Could only pay with VISA card.

[sdm]

Did you book an approved centre ?

Who did you book with ?

When I booked the IELTS life skills B1 with british council Philippines, there was no paypal system. Could only pay with VISA card.

I booked on the IELTS website itself, when you book it it asks you to pay.

SDM

[Harry T]

SDM, the Life Skills B1 for anyone that has a reasonable amount of english is pretty easy, I am friends with someone who took the Life Skills here in the UK back in May of this year, basically it consists of holding a short conversation in english, usually with another candidate if available, whilst the examiner listens, it really is pretty easy, and the beuty of it is once gained that B1 is usable in future years for Citizenship, ILR etc,etc.
Good luck, and it may be worth considering trying to change to a B1, especially if your fiancee can hold a decent conversation in English, what my friend did find was the organisation of the company (Branch in Portsmouth) left a lot to be desired, firstly they asked her if she could take the test in London (she lives in Bournemouth) though they have a Portsmouth branch, she insisted on Portsmouth, when she got there they accepted her passport photo prior to taking the test, 1 week later they wrote saying the photo was not acceptable, they could not issue her documents until she provided other ID, and could she attend the Branch in person with different Id, several phone calls later they decided that the original passport and photo were acceptable, and she received her B1 certificate, I do sometimes wonder how some of these companies that seem incompetant at the very least manage to get this approved status, maybe its the old case of not what you know, but who you know. :wink:

[cheekee]

Sadly I don't think you can get a full refund on exam bookings. You only get a percentage back.

[Terpe]

Hi Terpe,

I have booked A1 although I think she would be able to get B1,

I wonder what happens if someone who is in the UK and married then fails to get B1?

If they ran out of time would they get deported?

SDM.

Don't get too hung up on that.
B1 level is only required at ILR application and at Citizenship application. That' 5 years down the line.

I'm sure her English would be excellent by that time after living in Uk that long.

Nobody would get deported. Those who cannot meet the ILR requirements just need to apply for another FLR until they can comply.

Good luck with the English A1 it's perfectly OK for the next 5 years.

[sdm]

Don't get too hung up on that.
B1 level is only required at ILR application and at Citizenship application. That' 5 years down the line.

I'm sure her English would be excellent by that time after living in Uk that long.

Nobody would get deported. Those who cannot meet the ILR requirements just need to apply for another FLR until they can comply.

Good luck with the English A1 it's perfectly OK for the next 5 years.

Hi Guys,

Thanks very much for all your support, I am sure you all know how stressful this is. I just don't want to make any mistakes. I have also booked her TB test in the approved place. Somebody also mentioned something about CFO??? What is that?

The last thing I want is to get the Visa, get to the airport and she is still prevented from flying.

SDM.

[Terpe]

Hi Guys,

Thanks very much for all your support, I am sure you all know how stressful this is. I just don't want to make any mistakes. I have also booked her TB test in the approved place. Somebody also mentioned something about CFO??? What is that?

The last thing I want is to get the Visa, get to the airport and she is still prevented from flying.

SDM.

The CFO 'sticker' is a MUST HAVE

CFO = Commission on Filipinos Overseas

Here's the main website link:-
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/

Follow the link under 'PDOS/REGISTRATION' that says "Filipino Spouses and Partners of Foreign National"

There you'll find info on what it's all about and the steps needed.

You can take the CFO Guidance and Counseling Program but you can't secure the final 'passport sticker' until you have a valid visa where the start date/valid from date is already current.

Try to join the CFO Guidance and Counseling Program when you're in Manila for the TB screening

[sdm]

The CFO 'sticker' is a MUST HAVE

CFO = Commission on Filipinos Overseas

Here's the main website link:-
http://www.cfo.gov.ph/

Follow the link under 'PDOS/REGISTRATION' that says "Filipino Spouses and Partners of Foreign National"

There you'll find info on what it's all about and the steps needed.

You can take the CFO Guidance and Counseling Program but you can't secure the final 'passport sticker' until you have a valid visa where the start date/valid from date is already current.

Try to join the CFO Guidance and Counseling Program when you're in Manila for the TB screening

My Girlfriend lives in the Province far away from Manila, so when she gets the Visa we will get it then, how long does it take to get it, thanks for your help,

I will look into this

SDM

[cheekee]

My Girlfriend lives in the Province far away from Manila, so when she gets the Visa we will get it then, how long does it take to get it, thanks for your help,

I will look into this

SDM

It's an all day seminar. She will need to take her marriage certificate, the visa, pictures of you together. Police clearance, copies of your e tickets and passport to show all your visits. She will be interviewed about your relationship to show its genuine .

Then if all OK she will get a certificate and a sticker goes in her passport.

[sdm]

It's an all day seminar. She will need to take her marriage certificate, the visa, marriage certificate, pictures of you together. Police clearance, copies of your e tickets and passport to show all your visits. She will be interviewed about your relationship to show its genuine.

Then if all OK she will get a certificate and a sticker goes in her passport.

Once completed a stickervl

We wont have the marriage certificate, she is going to get married over here, but apart from that is that the complete list of documents? How does she get Police Clearance.

thanks Cheekee

SDM.

[cheekee]

We wont have the marriage certificate, she is going to get married over here, but apart from that is that the complete list of documents? How does she get Police Clearance.

thanks Cheekee

SDM.

I think in replacement of the marriage certificate you might need to take some proof of intention of marriage. Like Maybe ring receipts or venue or something like that. My wife had to prove in the cfo interview our relationship was genuine. I'm not totally sure re the fiancee route but the owness is to prove the relationship is genuine.

Regarding police clearance I think your fiancee should know where to get it. My wife got hers in cebu so a different place. She will need to declare the reason for police clearance is to get cfo certificate. There should be a local office that people go to to get it.