Appendix KoLL Explained: English and Life in the UK Test for ILR (2026)
By Howard Wilson, Editor · Reviewed against Appendix KoLL and the Home Office Knowledge of Language and Life caseworker guidance (version 31.0) on 30 September 2026. General information, not legal advice. Howard is not a solicitor or regulated immigration adviser; see our editorial standards.
Quick answer: Appendix KoLL means most people applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain must show English speaking and listening at CEFR B1 or above and pass the Life in the UK test. You are exempt if you are under 18 or aged 65 or over, have a qualifying long-term condition, or are on certain protected routes.
KoLL stands for Knowledge of Language and Life in the UK. It sits in the Immigration Rules as Appendix KoLL and applies to settlement on most routes, including Skilled Worker, spouse and partner, BNO and long residence, and to British citizenship. It is often the last requirement people leave until the end, so plan it alongside your ILR calculator date.
The two parts of Appendix KoLL
| Requirement | Standard | How you usually prove it |
|---|---|---|
| English language | CEFR B1 speaking and listening or above | Nationality, a degree taught in English, a B1 SELT, or a qualifying UK school qualification |
| Knowledge of life in the UK | Pass the Life in the UK test | Your unique reference number from the test result |
Ways to meet the English requirement
- Nationality. You are a national of a majority English-speaking country: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, or the USA.
- A degree taught in English. A UK bachelor’s degree or above, or an overseas degree that Ecctis confirms is equivalent and was taught in English.
- A Secure English Language Test (SELT). A speaking and listening test at B1 or above from a Home Office approved provider, for example IELTS Life Skills B1 or Trinity GESE Grade 5. Book only through the approved provider’s UKVI booking route.
- A UK school qualification. A GCSE, A level or Scottish National Qualification in English gained through study at a UK school while under 18.
Our ILR English requirement guide covers each option in detail, and the English requirement checker tells you which one fits you.
The Life in the UK test
The Life in the UK test is a 45-minute computer-based test of 24 multiple-choice questions on British history, values, institutions and everyday life. You need 18 correct answers (75%) to pass and you get the result on the day. The test costs £50, is booked on GOV.UK, and a pass does not expire. Practise first with our free Life in the UK test practice and read the Life in the UK test guide.
Who is exempt from KoLL
- Age: under 18, or 65 or over, at the date of application.
- Medical: a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you from learning English or preparing for the test, supported by the Home Office medical exemption form completed by a doctor.
- Certain routes: for example victims of domestic abuse, bereaved partners, and some protection and HM Forces routes.
Exemptions are narrow. If you are relying on one, include full evidence with your application.
Common KoLL mistakes that cause refusals
- Taking an English test that is not an approved SELT, or not at B1 in speaking and listening.
- Relying on an overseas degree without an Ecctis confirmation that it was taught in English.
- Leaving the Life in the UK test too late, so you cannot apply on your earliest date.
- Assuming an English test from your first visa automatically counts for settlement at B1.
KoLL and your application timeline
Pass the Life in the UK test and sort your English evidence a few months before your earliest submission date. The how to calculate your ILR date guide and the ILR timeline show where KoLL fits alongside absences, documents and fees.
Frequently asked questions
What is Appendix KoLL?
Appendix KoLL (Knowledge of Language and Life) is the part of the UK Immigration Rules that requires most ILR and British citizenship applicants to show English at CEFR B1 speaking and listening or above, and to pass the Life in the UK test.
Which English test do I need for ILR?
If you cannot rely on your nationality or a degree taught in English, you need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) in speaking and listening at CEFR B1 or above from a Home Office approved provider, such as IELTS Life Skills B1 or Trinity GESE Grade 5.
Who is exempt from Appendix KoLL?
Applicants under 18 or aged 65 or over, people with a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting it, and applicants on certain routes such as victims of domestic abuse and bereaved partners.
Does a degree taught in English count for ILR?
Yes. A UK bachelor’s degree or above, or an overseas degree confirmed by Ecctis as equivalent and taught in English, meets the English part of Appendix KoLL.
Does the Life in the UK test expire?
No. A Life in the UK test pass does not expire and can be used for both ILR and later naturalisation.
Is the KoLL requirement the same for citizenship?
Broadly, yes. Naturalisation uses the same B1 English and Life in the UK test standard, with some differences in exemptions, for example discretion for applicants aged 60 to 64.