I've already updated my earlier post on United Kingdom English language visa requirements to reflect the newly increased expectations for immigrating family members of UK citizens and permanent visa holders, but a more detailed explanation seems in order, especially as the change hasn't crossed everyone's radar.

Adult family members will now be required to meet B1 speaking and listening levels on the Common European Framework Reference (CERF) language levels, as opposed to the previous A1 levels. To clarify what this means, here are descriptions of A1 communication abilities versus B1, as defined under CEFR:

I don't know how the weather is where you are— for me, cold and clouds are making a permanent move to the sunny Caribbean sound like a very good idea. And beginning this year, TOEIC® testing can get you there.

The Cayman Islands Department of Immigration is now accepting scores from TOEIC tests to measure the English-language proficiency of persons from around the world wishing to work or settle in the Cayman Islands. 

The department expects to receive approximately 1,000 applicants annually who will take the TOEIC® Listening and Reading test and the TOEIC® Speaking and Writing tests to demonstrate their English-language skills. Scores will apply to workers from all sectors and are not based on a tier system or type of work.

2011 has been quite a year so far in terms of changes in government English language testing policies. Following recent announcements by France and the United Kingdom about alterations to their policies, Australia has now announced that it is broadening the range of tests accepted for student visas.

In the past, Australia has only accepted IELTS results. As of November 5, they will accept more tests, including TOEFL, according to this ETS news release (which also provides the announced TOEFL minimums). 

We've just learned that the government of France is changing its citizenship process, adding a requirement for non-native French speakers to provide results from an approved standardized test of French. The handful of tests approved include the Test de français international (TFI™), developed by ETS and distributed by AMIDEAST in the U.S. as well as the Middle East/North Africa.

After attending a very informative ETS Global teleconference, I've added more details/updates to both part 1 and part 2 of my earlier posts regarding changes in United Kingdom English language visa requirements.

If you want to learn about the whole visa application process, the UK Border Agency this month launched a new Web site designed to be more readily navigable than their earlier version.

Along the same lines, we've also added a page to our own site that provides a nice table of the current TOEIC test minimums for particular visa classes and other summary information on TOEIC tests for UK visas.

We've now posted the Common European Framework Reference (CEFR) levels information and TOEIC test score equivalencies as promised in my previous post. To help you understand what is now required, here is a brief summary of minimum TOEIC scores needed for different types of immigration to the United Kingdom, as well as a summary of some of the relevant UK visa changes made over the past year.

Up until November 2010 spouses and partners of individuals applying to come to the United Kingdom as immigrants or students did not have to prove English proficiency. Now they must.

For the past four years, all non-native English speakers seeking to obtain a visa to live, work, or study in the United Kingdom have been required to pass an English language proficiency test.

This spring the U.K. Border Agency, which controls visa processing, completed a review and update of its list of accepted tests. Tests from only five testing agencies were reapproved, with over a dozen tests eliminated from the list. However, the TOEIC Listening & Reading test was among the few re-approved, and the new TOEIC Speaking & Writing test was also approved for the list.