Relevant legislation and documents

• Knowledge of language and Life in the UK Test exemption: long term physical or mental condition
• Form AN: guidance (accessible)
• Knowledge of language and life in the UK caseworker guidance (accessible)
• Oliver McGowan code of practice

Background

The British Nationality Act 1981 provides that a person applying for naturalisation must have sufficient knowledge of life in the United Kingdom, and of English, Welsh or Scottish Gaelic. Regulations specify how a person can demonstrate knowledge of English language and life in the UK, which is set out in this guidance.

Since 2007 the requirements for certain indefinite leave to remain applications have included knowledge of English language and of life in the UK.

To meet the KoLL requirements for either indefinite leave to remain or naturalisation, a person must meet both parts of the requirement:

• knowledge of language
• knowledge of life in the UK

9.3 Exemption from the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirements

If you are aged 65 or over, you will be exempt from meeting the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement. If you have a long term physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirements, you may also be exempt. You can indicate you think you should be exempt by providing details on your application.

Please note that physical or mental illness will not automatically exempt you from these requirements. If your illness responds to treatment, then we will expect you to prepare yourself to meet these requirements. Only if your condition prevents you permanently from meeting these requirements would we consider an exemption. Temporary illnesses, such as depression or stress, would not normally be grounds for exemption. You will need to provide evidence from your doctor or medical professional.

If you are requesting an exemption from either, or both, parts of these requirements you must also complete the Waiver request form published on Gov.UK. This form must be completed by a registered medical practitioner who has met with you as part of their assessment. You will not be exempted on grounds of illiteracy. Long residence is not a reason for exemption either. The requirement to demonstrate Knowledge of Language and of Life in the UK is specified in law and these are not grounds for exemption.

If you were exempted from the knowledge of language and life requirements when you applied for indefinite leave to remain, you must now meet the requirement before applying for naturalisation, unless you are exempted on grounds of age or physical or mental impairment.

The Golborne Medical Centre Standard Operating Procedure

From October 2025 all requests for the UK Language Waiver form KOLL and associated reports can be refused by a clinician at the practice.

Patients who submit forms at reception will be informed by reception on receipt of the request that the The Golborne Medical Centre Policy prohibits a doctor employed at the practice to complete the KOLL waiver

If solicitor requests are made, the receiving administrative team will forward the request to the practice secretaries who will inform a GP partner.

Once discussed with a GP Partner a reply is made to the solicitor to forward the request to an external GMC registered professional to fill in.

The reception team can also escalate to the practice manager or deputy manager to confirm the advice and to signpost the patient to external services that will offer a GMC registered clinician to complete the assessment and fill in the forms. Suitable clinicians for example be Hospital specialists such as Psychiatrists or Hospital Consultants and Private assessment GP services.

“This form must be completed by a registered medical practitioner who has met with you as part of their assessment. “

In rare cases an application can be discussed in a GP partner MDT to assess suitability. In the rare event that a unanimous decision is made to complete the form and report, a subsequent factual statement or report from the medical record will be made for a report fee determined by the practice as per the standard set of fees.

Attempts made by a patient to dictate the contents of a report or form may result in immediate refusal to complete the form and refund of any payment.

• The clinician completing the form must adhere to gov.uk guidance (see reference list above)
• It is recommended that advice is also sought by the UK immigration service General Enquiries (inside the UK): +44 (0) 300 790 6268
• If there are significant concerns regarding fraudulent requests please contact Immigration Enforcement hotline at 0300 123 7000