The UK government has introduced stricter rules for migrants seeking visas, starting January 8th, 2026. Individuals applying for skilled worker or scale-up visas must now demonstrate English proficiency at a B2 level, which is higher than the previous B1 standard equivalent to GCSE.
Sophia Galer recently shared a challenging English language quiz on TikTok, reflecting the upcoming visa requirements. Many British citizens who attempted the quiz found it difficult, raising questions about the new standards.
Sophia’s quiz, themed around the English language test for migrants, highlighted the complexities expected at the B2 level. Participants were surprised by the level of difficulty, especially British nationals with advanced qualifications in English.
The upcoming changes will affect migrants applying for skilled worker, scale-up, or high potential individual (HPI) visas. Skilled worker visas are granted to those earning at least £41,700 annually from a government-approved employer, while scale-up visas are for individuals in fast-growing businesses, and HPI visas are for recent top university graduates.
The new rules aim to raise the language proficiency bar for incoming migrants, sparking discussions on the practicality and challenges faced even by native English speakers.