If you are applying under the Skilled Worker route in 2026, one change is catching people off guard: the English language threshold for many applicants is higher than it used to be. We have seen perfectly good sponsorships delayed because the wrong test was booked, the wrong level was assumed, or someone relied on what worked previousy.

What changed on 8 January 2026

The Home Office made rule changes effective from 8 January 2026 which increased the English language level for certain work routes. For Skilled Worker applications, the relevant table in the Immigration Rules was amended so the standard requirement is now level B2, with a limited exception for certain applicants whose most recent permission on the route was previously granted with a B1 requirement.

These changes are not just a “policy preference”. They are written into the Immigration Rules via the Statement of Changes, and they apply to applications made on or after the effective date. If an application was made before 8 January 2026, it should normally be decided under the rules in force on 7 January 2026.

Skilled Worker: who needs B2 and who may still rely on B1

Fo rSkilled Worker applications, the rule position from 8 January 2026 is essentially this.

Ifyou are making a new application for permission as a Skilled Worker, you shouldexpect to meet B2 across reading, writing, speaking and listening. This is reflected both in the Immigration Rules change and in the Home Office’s publicSkilled Worker guidance.

If you already hold Skilled Worker permission that was granted when the English requirement was B1, the rules now recognise a narrow continuity provision. In simple terms, where your most recent permission was as a Skilled Worker and it was granted subject to a B1 requirement, the table allows B1 rather than B2 forthat application type. From an employer perspective, the sponsor guidance has also been updated to reflect that workers making their first application for permission as a Skilled Worker on or after 8 January 2026 need B2. That wording matters, because it is pointing sponsors to the higher threshold for new entrants and switchers.

Scale-upand High-Potential Individual

This same uplift applies beyond Skilled Worker.

For the High Potential Individual route, the Statement of Changes shows that the English requirement was raised from B1 to B2. There is no built-in “previous B1” exception written in the same way as the Skilled Worker.

For Scale-up, the Rules were similarly amended to require B2, but with an exception where an applicant’s most recent Scale-up permission was granted subject to B1.The Scale-up appendix on GOV.UK also reflects that combined approach.

How do you prove B2 English in a Skilled Worker application

The Immigration Rules Appendix English Language sets out the permitted ways to meet the English requirement, and the Home Office has also published a route by route reference document on English language levels for immigration applications.

In practice, most applicants meet B2 by one of the following routes.

So merely on nationality, where they are a national of a majority English speaking country listed by the Home Office.

Others rely on a recognised academic qualification taught in English and accepted for these purposes.

Many applicants use a Secure English Language Test with an approved provider. The key practical point is that the level must match the route requirement. If you book a test at B1 when the route requires B2, the rest of your application canbe strong and still fail on a basic eligibility requirement.

How GigaLegal Solicitors can support you

At GigaLegal Solicitors, we help applicants and sponsors avoid the avoidable. That includes confirming which English level applies to your specific application, checking whether you fall within any transitional provision, and making sure evidence package matches what the Home Office will actually accept.

If you are switching into Skilled Worker, we can also advise on timing, document strategy, and how to reduce the risk of a refusal on a technical point that should never have been an issue.

Speak to GigaLegal

If you are planning a Skilled Worker application, switching from another route, or extending your existing permission in 2026, contact GigaLegal Solicitors for a tailored assessment before you submit. The earlier you check the English requirement, the easier it is to keep your application clean, compliant, and on track.

Important disclaimer

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration Rules and Home Office guidance change frequently, and the correct approach depends on your full circumstances, including your immigration history and application type.