According to the UK Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) the International English Language Testing System test (IELTS) test will be mandatory in obtaining a tier 1visa and applicants will have to proof they are able to communicate in the Englishlanguage. The IELTS is designed to assess the language ability of people intending to work or study in the country where English is the main language. Many English speaking countries make use of this test including the USA, New Zealand and Australia.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test used to measure a non-English native speaker's ability to communicate in English across all four language skills - listening, reading, writing and speaking.

We spoke to www.globalvisas.co.in who confirmed the test is very popular with students from Asiaand South America who want to study at an English higher learning institute. There are about 300 centres in the UK where one can take thetest and for those living outside the UK there are over 100 countries throughout the world that facilitate and offer it. Residents in the European Union have to pass the test equivalent C1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework for Language Learning (CEFR). The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is "a series of descriptions of abilities which can be applied to any language and can be used to set clear targets for achievements within language learning".

Applicants of thetier 1will be given a range of marks from one to nine. Band one is the lowest category while band nine is the highest mark achievable. The language requirements also state that the applicant needs to have taken the IELTS test within the last two years and have obtained at least a band six mark. The Home Office will check the equivalence of the qualification with the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) before accepting that it meets the English language criteria.

NARIC is the United Kingdom's "official source of accurate research and intelligence on foreign academic/vocational qualifications" and provide nationally recognized equivalency documents for qualifications from overseas.

Degree taught in English

The world is changing and integrating hence there are now many people globally who are being taught in English at school or at university level. The Home Office recognises this and needs proof of this from your institution, it also helps if you hold a degree equivalent to a United Kingdom bachelor level (as verified by the NARIC) and your course was taught in English.

The following countries are considered majority English-speaking countries by the UK Border and Immigration Agency:

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www.globalvisas.co.in is the Indian arm of www.globalvisas.com the worlds leading authority in Immigration and visa laws across the globe. Our company spans the world with specialist solicitors dealing with Immigration laws in country including. USA, UK, Canada, China, India, Philippines, Australia, South Africa andIreland.

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