Photo: bbc.com
Migrants will need A-level standard English to work in UK
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that migrants must achieve B2 level English proficiency, up from B1, to qualify for skilled visas, emphasizing language integration.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that migrants must learn the English language to contribute to society effectively.
- The new requirement raises the English language standard for skilled worker, scale-up, and high potential individual visas to B2 level, effective immediately.
- Currently, the B1 standard allows for basic conversational skills; the B2 level signifies an upper-intermediate proficiency in English.
- The decision impacts numerous migrants seeking employment in the United Kingdom, reflecting a shift towards stricter integration requirements.
- Mahmoods announcement aims to reinforce the importance of language in fostering community cohesion and ensuring migrants can successfully navigate UK life.
Why It Matters
This policy change underscores the UKs commitment to ensuring that migrants can effectively integrate into society. It affects potential skilled workers seeking employment in the UK, as they will now face higher language proficiency requirements. Observers should monitor how this may influence migration patterns and the labor market, particularly in sectors reliant on foreign talent.