Tier 1 visas

If you are planning on coming to the UK to further your work in the sciences or arts, or are intending to set up a business or invest in the UK, then you will need a visa under Tier 1 of the points based system. [Read More ...]

Tier 2 visas

If you are you are hoping to come to the UK as a skilled worker and are a citizen of a country outside the EEA you will need a visa under Tier 2 of the points based system. [Read More ...]

Finalised details of student visa programme announced

Students applying for a visa to come to the UK will face tightened restrictions and requirements from 21 April 2011. The student visa system has been significantly reformed with the aim of drastically reducing the number of students coming to the UK. [Read More ...]

Keeping the Life in the UK Test up to date

Changes to UK law have meant that significant sections of the study materials for the Home Office’s Life in the UK Test are out of date. But what will you be tested on: the latest legislation or what it says in the book? [Read More ...]

Up to date contact details from your Study Guide

Since the publication of the Home Office study materials in 2007 there have been many changes in the contact details of the organisations listed. As many of these organisations are important resources for readers, we have checked and updated these contact details so you can find the advice you need. [Read More ...]

Confusing facts in the study materials

Studying for the Life in the UK Test can be a complicated process because of the amount of very detailed information that you have to learn. Despite the best efforts of the Home office it is not always easy to make the key facts of certain laws and practices clear. Following feedback from some of our customers we have compiled the below list clarifications on certain topics covered in the study materials which are confusing. [Read More ...]

Immigration advisors

For anyone seeking professional advice from an Immigration adviser, there are various independent bodies which can help. [Read More ...]

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

You must be able to speak and understand English to a certain level if you want to settle in the United Kingdom. If your English skills are below English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Entry 3 level (or intermediate 1 level in Scotland) you must be able to demonstrate that you have progressed at least one level before you apply. [Read More ...]

Useful links

The following links are to websites and organisations that may be of interest. These links are chosen because they provide important information about everyday life in Britain that can be hard to track down. [Read More ...]

Important dates in the British calendar

Whilst the official Life in the UK test study materials include many of the significant dates and events in the British calendar there are many more events and festivals that are not listed. We have compiled a list of some of these to give you an idea of a normal year for British citizens. [Read More ...]

British culture

For those moving to the UK there are many new ideas, phrases and organisations to learn about. Whilst the official Home Office study materials give you an overview of some of the most important aspects of life in the UK there are still many things that can be very confusing at first. [Read More ...]

British religious festivals

Whilst the official study materials include some of the major religious events of the Christian calendar, it does not include all of them. Also, as the UK is a multi-cultural nation, observances from the other major religions are becoming increasingly commonplace. Information about some of these festivals is included below. [Read More ...]

Cabinet Ministers of the UK Parliament

As noted in the study materials, the Prime Minister appoints a select group of ministers to lead the departments of the government. Since the 2011 election, the Cabinet has been made up of 23 ministers. As the government is formed of a coalition between two parties we have identified which party each minister belongs to. [Read More ...]

Tricky words and phrases

The Life in the UK test covers some unusual words that aren't typically used in everyday British life. Here we list a few tricky or unusual words along with a detailed explanation of what they mean [Read More ...]

Extra chapters

If you have bought a copy of the Life in the UK Test: Study Guide then you already have all of the official material that you need to study for your test. However if you'd like to do some extra reading then you can download these extra chapters. [Read More ...]