Using ECCTIS to Prove Your English Proficiency for UK Visas

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.

• Qualification and Language Service (QLS): Since 1 May 2025, this has replaced the Visas and Nationality Service. ECCTIS runs it for the Home Office to help visa applicants evidence their qualification level and English proficiency.

Beyond these services, ECCTIS offers various other resources, including benchmarking, consultancy, and capacity building. These are designed to help UK academic and business organisations 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. From 8 January 2026, first-time applicants for the Skilled Worker, High Potential Individual and Scale-up visas need English at CEFR level B2, up from B1. People already on those routes before that date can keep using B1 when they extend.

Exemptions 

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

• You are 65 or over and applying for settlement or citizenship, or mental health condition that impedes your ability to learn English. In such cases, you’ll need to provide appropriate medical documentation.

• You are a citizen of an English-speaking country, like the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc. You can check the full list of nationalities that do not need to prove their knowledge of English here.

• You already met the English requirement at the right level in a previous successful application.

• You are a refugee or an individual with humanitarian protection in the UK.

What services does ECCTIS offer?

Since 1 May 2025, the Qualification and Language Service offers two services:

• English Proficiency and Qualification Comparison: For applicants who need to show that their overseas degree is comparable to a UK Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD, and the level of English needed to complete it.

• Qualification Comparison: For applicants who only need to show their qualification level, for PhD points on the Skilled Worker route or for the High Potential Individual route.

QLS covers routes including Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, High Potential Individual, Scale-up, Student, Family and Indefinite Leave to Remain.

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. It must be issued by the awarding institution, not an affiliate college.

• 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, signed, stamped, and dated.

• 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.

You must also pass an identity check during the application (QLS document requirements).

How to use ECCTIS to validate your English language  qualifications

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. The QLS website has an online checker to help you choose between the two services.

2. Collect all necessary documents listed above and any other paperwork proving your qualifications.

3. Go to the QLS 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 whether your education was taught in English and meets the CEFR levels required for your visa category. ECCTIS also asks your awarding institution to confirm that your qualification is genuine.

6. If your application succeeds, you receive a Unique Person Identifier (UPI) code in your online account. You give this code to the Home Office in your visa application. ECCTIS does not set an English level for degrees from most English-speaking countries.

ECCTIS fees and processing times

The cost of ECCTIS services is the same for both QLS services.

• Each service costs £210, and ECCTIS aims to give an outcome within 20 working days (QLS price and timeframe).

• The 20 working days restart if ECCTIS asks you for more documents.

• There is no fast-track option, and refunds are not available once ECCTIS starts reviewing your application. 

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 significantly delay your application. 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. Verification Delays: If your awarding institution does not confirm your qualification within 20 working days, the outcome will be “Unable to verify”, and you will not get a refund. Contact your institution before you apply so it is ready to respond.

5. Technical Difficulties: These can be frustrating, especially when uploading documents or accessing the ECCTIS portal. However, don't 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.