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Using ECCTIS to Prove Your English Proficiency for UK Visas

Created: Sep 5, 2024 | Updated: Sep 9, 2024

You might be thinking, “I speak English every day – at work, at home, in school, in my dreams (we’re kidding, but you get the point). Surely, I don’t need to prove my English skills to move to the UK.” But here’s where things get a bit tricky. The UK has a specific and short list of officially recognised English-speaking countries, and if yours isn’t on it, you’ll still need to prove your English proficiency to get your visa. 

Unfortunately, it’s one of those things most people don’t realise until they’re in the thick of the immigration process, but not you – because you landed on this article. We’ll show you how ECCTIS can help you get that proof, so you don’t hit any unexpected roadblocks while planning your trip.

Table of Contents

What is ECCTIS?

ECCTIS is a global organisation that offers specialised services to ensure international qualifications and skills obtained outside the UK meet British standards. It manages two major services on behalf of the UK Government:

  • UK ENIC: This is the UK's official information centre for global qualifications and skills, helping to assess and compare international educational credentials to UK standards.
     
  • UK Visas and Nationality Services: These services assist individuals in their UK visa applications by providing necessary qualification evaluations directly to the UK Home Office.

Beyond these services, ECCTIS offers various other resources, including benchmarking, consultancy, and capacity building. These are designed to help academic and business organisations in the UK recruit the best talent and make informed decisions about potential candidates' qualifications.

Who needs to prove their English proficiency when moving to the UK?

Most foreigners who wish to live, work, or study in the UK must prove their English language skills. This includes people applying for a work visa, study visa, family visa, permanent residency and citizenship. 

Exemptions 

You might be exempt from English test if you fall into one of these categories:

What services does ECCTIS offer?

ECCTIS provides five specialised services tailored for applicants pursuing various UK visas and routes, including: 

  1. Visas and Nationality Service (English Proficiency): For individuals using their Bachelor’s, Master's, or PhD degree to demonstrate their qualification level and English proficiency for a UK visa.
     
  2. Visas and Nationality Service (PhD Verification): For those who intend to use their foreign PhD degree to qualify for tradeable points on the Skilled Worker route.
     
  3. Visas and Nationality Service (PhD Verification with English Proficiency): For people who want to use their foreign PhD degree to earn tradeable points and demonstrate English proficiency for the Skilled Worker visa route.
     
  4. Visas and Nationality Service (High Potential Individual): For applicants using their Bachelor's, Master’s, or PhD degrees to demonstrate their qualification level for the High Potential Individual (HPI) visa route.
     
  5. Visas and Nationality Service (High Potential Individual with English Proficiency): For those demonstrating their qualification level and English proficiency for the HPI visa route.

Documents required for ECCTIS validation

To validate your English proficiency through ECCTIS, you will need to provide the following key documents:

  • Your diploma or degree certificate.
  • A copy of your passport or another form of photo identification
  • Your academic transcript bearing detailed records from your educational institution listing the courses you completed.
  • A ‘Medium of Instruction Certificate’ from your institution verifying that your courses were taught in English.
  • Evidence of name change such as a marriage certificate or deed poll (required for people whose name on their academic documents differs from their current legal name).
  • Certified translations into English, for any required document listed above that are not originally issued in English.

How to use ECCTIS to validate your English language  qualifications

A Sample Academic Qualification Level Statement

Follow this process to get an ECCTIS evaluation to ensure your language skills meet the necessary standards for UK visa applications: 

  1. Determine which ECCTIS service aligns with your needs. This could be for general English proficiency, specific visa requirements, or academic qualification verification.
     
  2. Collect all necessary documents listed above and any other paperwork proving your qualifications.
     
  3. Go to the ECCTIS website and create an account or log in to your existing account. Upload your documents and fill out the necessary information about your qualifications.
     
  4. Complete the payment for the required service. Fees vary depending on the type of service you need (see below).
     
  5. After receiving your documents and payment, ECCTIS experts will evaluate your qualifications against UK standards. They will verify if your education was in English and whether it meets the CEFR levels needed for your visa category.
     
  6. Once your qualifications are verified, ECCTIS will issue you an Academic Qualification Level Statement (for degrees issued in countries where English is the official language) or an English Language Proficiency Statement (for degrees issued in a non-English-speaking country).

ECCTIS fees and processing times

The cost of ECCTIS services varies depending on the specific service you require. 

  • The Visas and Nationality service (English Proficiency) costs £140 (VAT inclusive) plus VAT and typically takes about ten working days after document submission and verified payment to process your evaluation. 
     
  • The other service types cost £210 (plus VAT) with a longer processing time of 30 working days. 
     
  • ECCTIS also offers 24-hour and 48-hour fast-track services for people with urgent evaluation needs at £208.80 and £148.80 respectively.

Common issues with ECCTIS applications and how to avoid them

  1. Incomplete Documentation: One of the most common issues is submitting incomplete or incorrect documents, which can delay your application significantly. Always double-check the ECCTIS website for the exact documentation requirements, ensuring each document is current and legible. If your documents need translations, we recommend using a trusted provider of certified translation services in the UK like Translayte.
     
  2. Payment Issues: Nothing stops an application faster than payment problems. Check the payment amount carefully, use the specified payment method(s), and follow all instructions to avoid issues.
     
  3. Misunderstanding Service Requirements: Selecting the incorrect service can complicate your application process. Take the time to fully understand the different services offered by ECCTIS and choose the one that best matches your needs. If you have doubts, contact ECCTIS via their site’s chatbot or other help resources for guidance.
     
  4. Technical Difficulties: These can be frustrating, especially when uploading documents or accessing the ECCTIS portal. However, your first reaction should not be panic. Calmly assess the situation to troubleshoot the problem. Switching to a more stable internet connection or clearing your browser cache can sometimes resolve the issue.

Related posts

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How to Get A Criminal Record Certificate for a Skilled Worker Visa UK

Police Checks for International Teachers Coming to the UK

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between UK ENIC and UK NARIC?
UK ENIC is the current name for the UK's National Information Centre for Global Qualifications and Skills, formerly known as UK NARIC. The name change occurred following the UK's exit from the European Union.
Yes, ECCTIS can assist in verifying qualifications from closed institutions, provided there is enough historical data to verify the authenticity and level of your qualification.
ECCTIS-issued documents do not have an expiration date. However, visa authorities or institutions may require more recent documents, depending on their specific policies.
If you apply for British citizenship, you must pass an English test that meets the B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) such as IELTS, TOEFL or the Cambridge English test. 
Before moving to the UK, it's important to understand the visa requirements that apply to your situation, such as obtaining the right type of visa, preparing for the English language requirements, and organising your finances. You should also familiarise yourself with the UK's healthcare system, accommodation options, and employment laws (if you plan to work).
To create a UKVI account, visit the official UK Visa and Immigration website, find the registration page, and provide the necessary details to set up your account. This account will be essential for submitting your visa applications, paying visa fees, and tracking the status of your application.

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