<p>Applicants will need to show that they can speak and understand English to a basic level. They will usually meet this requirement by passing an English language test with a UK Border Agency-approved test provider as the government seeks to integrate migrants into British society.<br /><br />According to an official announcement, applicants need to pass this language test before they apply for a visa and submit an original test certificate with their visa application from Monday.<br /><br />The new language requirement is intended to help migrants integrate into British society - to open up more opportunities, help prevent exploitation, and allow them to benefit from, and contribute more to their communities.<br /><br />It is also possible to meet the English language requirement by having an academic qualification equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in the UK which was taught in English.<br />Applicants will need to provide the original qualification certificate with their visa application.<br /><br />This English language requirement does not apply to visitors or the spouses and partners of those in the UK who are on a temporary visa, such as workers and students under the points based system.<br /><br />In a decision earlier this week, the government announced a cap of 21,700 on the number of skilled workers from India and other countries outside the European Union from April 2011, a decision likely to adversely impact thousands of Indians seeking to move to the UK.<br /><br />The figure is a cut of 6,300 on the equivalent figure for 2009. Once the figure of 21,700 is reached, it is envisaged that no further employment visas will be granted during the year.<br /><br />The cap excludes employees transferred by their companies from another country. The Inter-Company Transfer visa route is mostly used by Indian companies.<br /><br />The decision has been flayed by a group representing the interests of professionals from India and other countries outside the European Union.<br /><br />Buffeted by major funding cuts and looming cuts in the number of high-fee paying students from India and other non-EU countries, UK universities have lodged a strong protest against moves that are likely to seriously jeopardise their finances and global reputation.<br /></p>
<p>Applicants will need to show that they can speak and understand English to a basic level. They will usually meet this requirement by passing an English language test with a UK Border Agency-approved test provider as the government seeks to integrate migrants into British society.<br /><br />According to an official announcement, applicants need to pass this language test before they apply for a visa and submit an original test certificate with their visa application from Monday.<br /><br />The new language requirement is intended to help migrants integrate into British society - to open up more opportunities, help prevent exploitation, and allow them to benefit from, and contribute more to their communities.<br /><br />It is also possible to meet the English language requirement by having an academic qualification equivalent to a Bachelor's degree in the UK which was taught in English.<br />Applicants will need to provide the original qualification certificate with their visa application.<br /><br />This English language requirement does not apply to visitors or the spouses and partners of those in the UK who are on a temporary visa, such as workers and students under the points based system.<br /><br />In a decision earlier this week, the government announced a cap of 21,700 on the number of skilled workers from India and other countries outside the European Union from April 2011, a decision likely to adversely impact thousands of Indians seeking to move to the UK.<br /><br />The figure is a cut of 6,300 on the equivalent figure for 2009. Once the figure of 21,700 is reached, it is envisaged that no further employment visas will be granted during the year.<br /><br />The cap excludes employees transferred by their companies from another country. The Inter-Company Transfer visa route is mostly used by Indian companies.<br /><br />The decision has been flayed by a group representing the interests of professionals from India and other countries outside the European Union.<br /><br />Buffeted by major funding cuts and looming cuts in the number of high-fee paying students from India and other non-EU countries, UK universities have lodged a strong protest against moves that are likely to seriously jeopardise their finances and global reputation.<br /></p>