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The Life in the UK test is a mandatory test for individuals applying for a British passport, nationality, or settled status in the UK. It is also known as British citizenship test. Applicants who are not exempt from this test must pass it before they are eligible for any immigration status.
This test is a way to see how well you are informed about the British culture. It also reflects on your commitment to be a part of the British society. You must gain a passing score on this test to meet the eligibility requirements for citizenship, settlement, or a UK passport.
You must meet other requirements apart from passing this test. A qualified immigration lawyer at the London-based Adam Bernard’s office can help you meet these requirements and speed up the application process.
Some people are exempt from taking the Life in the UK test. If you meet certain requirements, you can use this exemption. To be exempt, at least one of these situations must apply to you:
If you seek an exemption due to a long-term physical or mental condition, you must be able to produce relevant evidence to back it up. This can be done by submitting a form stating your medical details or a letter from a doctor confirming your limitation.
Qualified UK settlement solicitors can advise you whether you can seek an exemption from the test on the basis of any of the situations noted above. An immigration lawyer can also help you prove that you qualify for an exemption.
The best way to prepare for the UK citizenship test is to consult the Official Life in the United Kingdom handbook. The book contains all the information you will need to pass the test. You must prepare for a number of specific topics including British culture, government, history, and geography.
The official handbook for the test contains sample questions that you can practice preparing for the test. If you are not satisfied with the handbook and want a more detailed preparation regimen, you can also subscribe to the e-learning subscription that is being offered by the Home Office.
If you are not sure how to access the book or subscribe to online preparation, an immigration lawyer can help you. It is important that you appear in the test after proper preparation. Being prepared will improve your odds of success and ensure that you don’t need to retake the test.
You must take your test before you submit a UK settlement application. You will be required to provide evidence that you have passed the test at the time of applying.
To take a test, you must book an exam date at one of the designated Life in the UK test centres. There are 30 such centres located across the UK. However, you are required to select a centre that is close to your address of residence. If you do not choose from one of the five closest test centres, you will not be scheduled for the exam.
To book a date, simply navigate to the official test booking tool provided by the Home Office. You must have a valid proof of ID when booking for a test date. Examples of a valid proof of ID include:
You will be provided with a test date if your booking is successful. It is vital that you reach the designated test centre on time on the scheduled date.
Unlike many other tests, you can’t take the Life in the UK test online. You must be physically present at a designated test centre to take the test. If you’re not sure how to book the test, an immigration lawyer can help you schedule your slot.
The standard fee for a Life in the UK Test is £50. This fee is refundable only if you choose to have your test cancelled at least three days before the scheduled date. If you fail to appear in the test or arrive late, you will not be reimbursed.
In some cases, a test centre may cancel your appointment. When this is the case, you are eligible for a refund. However, you must apply for a refund within three months from the date of the test. You can seek the help of qualified UK settlement solicitors to apply for a refund in a timely manner.
On the day of the test, you must arrive at the designated centre on time. You must also bring a valid proof of identification with you. This may be a Biometric Residence Permit, or a passport.
You must also furnish a valid proof of address to confirm your residence. This can be a utility bill. However, any proof of residence you produce must be dated within three months of the test date.
If you are late, you will not be allowed to sit the test. If you fail to take the test for this reason or for any other reason, you will not be reimbursed. The test itself is conducted on a computer screen. You have 45 minutes to take the test during which you must answer a total of 24 questions. All the questions concern British history, traditions, customs, and everyday life.
You must score at least 75% on the test to pass. Given that the total number of test questions is 24, you must correctly answer at least 18 questions in order to pass.
If you manage to pass, you are given a Unique Reference Number (URN). You must stay at the test centre until you are provided the results and a URN if you pass. If you leave the centre before the results are provided, your test result will not be valid even if you pass.
Once you have the URN, you will use it on your settlement or citizenship application as proof that you have passed the Life in the UK test.
If you took the test and passed before December 17, 2019, you would have received a Pass Notification Letter with a ‘Test Reference ID.’ In this case, you will use the Test Reference ID on your application instead of the URN.
If you lose your letter, you must attach an explanatory note when an application for citizenship or settlement. The Home Office may then look up your test results and add them to the application. It is best to consult qualified UK settlement solicitors if you end up losing your letter.
If you fail the test, you have the option to retake it. There is no limit on the number of times you can retake. However, seven days must elapse before you can sit again for the test. You will be required to pay the £50 every time you book for a test date.
Passing the test is mandatory if you want to apply for settled status UK or citizenship. So you will need to retake the test until you have passed it. This is why it is a good idea to be well prepared before you sit on the test.
Most tests do come with an expiry date so that you may have to retake the test later on. However, this is not the case with the Life in the UK test. Once you pass the test, the result is valid for life. This means that even if your visa application is not successful, you can later reapply with the results of the same test.
You can also reuse the test results as you move through various immigration stages, from residency to citizenship. For this reason, it is important that you keep the test certificate and details safe as you may have to use them at any time down the road.
If you have a degree from an approved institution that has been taught in English language, you are typically exempt from the English language testing requirements for a British visa or citizenship application.
However, you will still need to take the Life in the UK Test as this test is about British customs, traditions, and laws. You are required to demonstrate a decent knowledge of these aspects of the British life to be eligible.
The Life in the UK test is one of the many requirements you must fulfil when you apply for British citizenship or if you are applying for a UK passport. Applicants seeking settled status must pass the test to be eligible.
The London-based Adam Bernard’s immigration lawyers can help you meet all the requirements so that your citizenship or settlement application is complete before you submit it. Our UK settlement solicitors also assist you in avoiding any common errors that can cause unnecessary delays in the application process.
Being among the top immigration lawyers in London, we offer customized advice and guidance for immigration applicants. Whether you are applying for citizenship, settled status, or a UK passport, we have got you covered.
Call now at 0207 100 2525 for a free consultative session with one of our immigration lawyers.
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