[sunnyb]

Hi, we've just got our ITA through (:raebanana) and are stuck on what evidence we need for English language. I have a qualification certificate I can send them, but our 16 year old has no proof that he's been in school all his life in England (born and bred there)! Do I need to write to his old schools to get confirmation that he attended the minimum requirement of schooling for the ITA or do we just put that he's been in school in England since he was 5 ?

Many thanks, B

[IanW99]

...
but our 16 year old has no proof that he's been in school all his life in England (born and bred there)! Do I need to write to his old schools to get confirmation that he attended the minimum requirement of schooling for the ITA or do we just put that he's been in school in England since he was 5 ?

Many thanks, B

You certainly don't need to write to his old school.

They are looking for any of the following:-
iv they provide other evidence which satisfies a visa or immigration officer that, taking account of that evidence and all the circumstances of the application, they are a competent user of English. These circumstances may include but are not limited to:
�� the country in which the applicant currently resides;
�� the country(ies) in which the applicant has previously resided;
�� the duration of residence in each country;
�� whether the applicant speaks any language other than English;
�� whether members of the applicant's family speak English;
�� whether members of the applicant's family speak any language other than English;
�� the nature of the applicant's current or previous employment (if any) and whether that is or was likely to require skill in English language;
�� the nature of the applicant's qualifications (if any) and whether the obtaining of those qualifications was likely to require skill in the English language.

So as long as you can offer proof of the above then no problems.

If you can't 'prove' any of the above then just add the details to your cover letter e.g. only resided in UK or NZ (which can be partially proven by passport), only speaks English etc. Ensure you answer the above details e.g. resided in the UK for x years etc.

Ian

[sunnyb]

Well that's a relief. Thank you so much.
Regards, B :)

[Debbie]

You just write "native speaker/ First language" on the form.
Debbie