Nigerians, other Immigrants Must Pass Tough English Language Test to Live in Britain: UK Govt

The United Kingdom’s Home Office has unveiled a new immigration policy, requiring migrants to pass tougher English language tests before being fully integrated into the British system, starting from January 2026.

“If you come to the UK, you must learn our language and play your part,” the Home Office said in a statement on Wednesday, amid growing anti-immigration sentiments among the British population.

The department added, “From January 2026, migrants will be required to pass tough new English language requirements so they can contribute fully to our national life.”

In a separate announcement, the department stated that the government was also concluding a plan to increase the levies imposed on UK-based employers hiring foreign workers, noting that companies must prioritize British workers.

“We are raising employer costs for foreign hires, ensuring they invest in British workers first. For too long, businesses have relied on cheap overseas labour. We’re putting a stop to that,” the British government stated.

The latest policies are part of a series of aggressive measures that the UK government has implemented in recent months to reduce the number of migrants entering the country.

In March this year, the British authorities increased the prices of visa applications in various categories, raising student visa fees for main applicants and their dependents from £490 to £542, which represents a significant additional cost for individuals from developing countries.

The price of a six-month visit visa rose from £115 to £127, while a two-year visa increased to £475, up from £432, and a 10-year visa rose to £ 1,059, which formerly cost £963.

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