The language for the United Kingdom citizenship: the requirements and how long to learn
British citizenship and indefinite leave to remain require English at B1 or higher — confirmed by an approved exam or a degree taught in English. The Life in the UK test is taken separately. There is a list of circumstances in which the language need not be confirmed; it is published on a separate page. This is the only checked country where the level is named outright and without caveats. Checked against gov.uk.
What is required
| Which language | English |
| Level | B1 on the Common European Scale |
| Residence term | residence terms depend on the kind of status; the language requirement is the same for citizenship and for indefinite leave to remain |
| How it is checked | confirmation of English at B1, B2, C1 or C2 — by passing an approved language exam or with a degree taught in English. The Life in the UK test is taken separately. |
| Who is exempt | There is a list of circumstances in which the language need not be confirmed; it is published on a separate page of gov.uk. |
| Is a language required for the residence permit | The language requirement applies to indefinite leave to remain and to citizenship; work and student visas have their own English requirements. |
- English for the citizenship of the United Kingdom: level B1. confirmation of English at B1, B2, C1 or C2 — by passing an approved language exam or with a degree taught in English. The Life in the UK test is taken separately.checked against the primary source
- Vocabulary size by level: A1 — about 650 words, A2 — about 1300 words, B1 — about 2400 words. These are lists for German exams; for another language they transfer as an order of magnitude.checked against the primary source
How long it takes to learn
| Daily dose | Hours to B1 | What that means in calendar time |
|---|---|---|
| 20 minutes a day | 350–400 h | about 2.9 years — about 3.3 years |
| 45 minutes a day | 350–400 h | about 16 months — about 18 months |
| 1.5 hours a day | 350–400 h | about 8 months — about 9 months |
How we help, and what we do not cover
Our English course is built for people learning the language from another one — for you it is not needed, and the country’s requirements below do not depend on us.
The level in brackets is about vocabulary size and nothing else. The thresholds come from the word lists the Goethe-Institut publishes for its exams: at A1 — about 650, at A2 — about 1300, at B1 — about 2400 ([the B1 list](https://www.goethe.de/pro/relaunch/prf/de/Goethe-Zertifikat_B1_Wortliste.pdf), checked September 7, 2026). The lists are German; for another language they transfer as an order of magnitude. And the main thing: the level is set by skills, and the list is derived from the level — not the other way around — so a dictionary of the right size is still not a passed exam.
What no app alone covers: the level B1 exam has writing and a conversation with a person whose questions do not follow a script. We get you to listening comprehension, reading and a stock of words; for the rest — to a teacher, a prep course or a conversation club. An app that promises to carry you to the exam alone is lying to you.
What to do, step by step
- Open the primary source and check the requirement as of today — it may have changed after our check.
- Find out whether you fall under the exemptions: a degree in the right language or a school certificate often removes the exam entirely.
- Count your own term: 350–400 hours to B1 is not “someday” but a concrete number of sessions a week until your filing date.
- Start with everyday language and listening: in any format, understanding other people's speech gives out first, not your stock of words.
- Three or four months before the exam, add sessions with a teacher — writing and the spoken part cannot be set up without a person.
Frequently asked
Which language is required for the citizenship of the United Kingdom?
English at level B1 of the Common European Scale. confirmation of English at B1, B2, C1 or C2 — by passing an approved language exam or with a degree taught in English. The Life in the UK test is taken separately.
Is a language required for the residence permit in in the United Kingdom?
The language requirement applies to indefinite leave to remain and to citizenship; work and student visas have their own English requirements.
How long will preparation take?
Cambridge puts the road to B1 at 350–400 study hours. At 45 minutes a day that is about 16 months — about 18 months; at twenty minutes, twice as long. It is the board's benchmark, not a promise: the spread between people is wide.
Can it be done without the exam?
There is a list of circumstances in which the language need not be confirmed; it is published on a separate page of gov.uk.
How far can this data be trusted?
The requirement was read on the website of the authority that imposes it: gov.uk, “Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship and settling”. The check date is September 7, 2026, the link is on the page. We do not process paperwork and charge nothing for it, so we have no interest in rounding terms in a pleasant direction.