Hi,

I (holding HSMP Tier 1 visa) will get married to my fiancée in Feb 2011 (India). I am going to apply spousal visa for my wife in March 2011. According to the new rules, the dependent has to know english up to a basic level, and to prove it she needs to appear for some specified exams.
At present, my fiancée is preparing for IELTS (acadamic).
I need your help in this to know
1> Is it the right exam she is preparing for?
2> What's the minimum score she needs to get to qualify?

Any kind of information related to the above matter is appreciated.

Regards
Tajinder

This new rule will be implemented from 29 November 2010

UK Border Agency | Migrants marrying UK citizens must now learn English (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/268071/15migrants-english-requirement)

Migrants marrying UK citizens must now learn English

09 June 2010

Compulsory English language tests will be introduced for non-European migrants applying to come to the UK to join or marry their settled partner, the UK government announced today.

From autumn 2010, they will need to demonstrate a basic command of English which allows them to cope with everyday life before they are granted a visa.

UK Border Agency | New English language testing for partners (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/july/50-english-test-partners)

New English language testing for partners

26 July 2010

In June 2010 the government announced plans to introduce compulsory English language tests for all non-European migrants applying to come to the UK to join or marry their settled partner.

Today the UK Border Agency announced that these plans will be implemented from 29 November 2010. From this date, any migrant who wants to enter or remain in the UK as the partner of a British citizen or a person settled here will need to show that they can speak and understand English, by taking an English language test with one of our approved test providers.

The new rules will apply to anyone applying as the husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, same-sex partner, fiance(e) or proposed civil partner of a British citizen or a person settled in this country. They will be compulsory for people applying from within the UK as well as visa applicants from overseas.


More info:

New English language requirement for partners (http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/aboutus/features/englishlanguagetestforpartners)



Approved English language tests for partners

16 August 2010

The UK Border Agency has today published a list of approved providers of English language tests for non-European migrants applying to come to the UK to join or marry their settled partner.

On 26 July, we announced that English language tests will be compulsory for these migrants from 29 November 2010.

From that date, any migrant who wants to enter or remain in the UK as the partner of a British citizen or a person settled here will need to show that they can speak and understand English, by taking an English language test with one of our approved test providers. The term 'partner' means husband, wife, civil partner, unmarried partner, same-sex partner, fiance(e) or proposed civil partner.

The tests will be compulsory for people applying from within the UK, and for visa applicants from overseas.

You can find the list of approved tests and providers under 'Related documents' on the right side of this page.

Update: 20 August 2010

The minimum standard that applicants will need to meet is in speaking and listening at level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference. The list of approved tests and providers includes some tests above A1 level - this is because we will also accept tests in speaking and listening, or in speaking and listening with additional skills such as reading or writing, that are taken at a higher level with an approved test provider. We have made this decision to give people as wide a choice as possible, and to provide for people who:

* have already taken a test at a higher level with one of the approved test providers; or
* want to take a test at a higher level for work or study reasons.

UK Border Agency | Approved English language tests for partners (http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/275292/46-english-test-partners)



List of approved English language tests for partners

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/partners-other-family/english-tests-partners.pdf