The pandemic continues to bring innovation to the language testing world – and also to visa and residency rights.
The Latest IELTS News
IELTS Indicator Winding Down
The IELTS partners created the Indicator test to help students keep their educational goals on track during the Covid-19 crisis.
Over the last few months, many universities and institutions have used it as proof of English ability.
However, the number of countries where you can take the test has dropped from 65 to 48. The good news is that this is because more test centres are reopening (more on that below).
Currently, you can take the Indicator test in the following countries…
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, India, Iraq, Israel, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Malawi, Maldives, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Romania, South Africa, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uzbekistan, Venezuela and Zambia.
More Test Centres Opening
The availability of IELTS Indicator is reducing, but a growing number of official test centres are reopening. The number of countries open for business has risen from 65 a matter of weeks ago to 89 – including China.
Click here to see a full list of centres and countries where you can take the test.
New Test Centre In Leeds, UK
It is not just old test centres that are reopening – there are new ones too.
There has long been a gap in the North of England for a UKVI IELTS test centre. Many people have had to travel as far as Manchester.
For those of you on the other side of the Pennines – a new test centre will open in October at Elliot Hudson College in Leeds.
Studying Abroad
Proposed Cap on Students Studying From China
In response to indications from China that they will cut the number of students studying in the UK – a think tank has proposed taking preemptive action.
It argues that UK institutions have become too dependent on China and should broaden their student base.
If a cap on some students might affect you, it may be best to bring your study plans forward.
International Employment Opportunities
On 13 July 2020, the Home Office published a statement with more information on changes to UK’s immigration after freedom of movement ends on 31 December 2020.
The statement confirms that from 2021, EU nationals will no longer benefit from freedom of movement. If you live outside the UK and Ireland, you will need a visa to work in the UK, unless you have applied for the EUSS (only available to European residents already living in the UK ).
The new Skilled Worker Visa – Degrees No Longer Required
The UK government is lowering the education level for a Skilled Worker Visa from degree-level to high school graduation.
The minimum salary required will also drop. Currently, the minimum salary is either £30,000 or the rate specified for the role (whichever is higher).
From 1 January 2021, this will reduce to £25,600 or the ‘going rate’ for that particular job. For specific positions in the NHS or education sectors, this will be reduced still further to a minimum of £20,480.
Further Reading
If you want to keep abreast of the latest developments, follow our blog, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts for up-to-the-minute news.
See you in September!