What is the difference between B1 and B2 English?

B1 means you can handle familiar, everyday topics and explain simply; B2 means you can follow more complex speech and talk with some fluency and spontaneity, including explaining the advantages and disadvantages of a point of view. For ILR applications on or after 26 March 2027, most routes need B2 in speaking and listening instead of B1.

What the CEFR says about B1

The Council of Europe's global scale describes a B1 user as someone who can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters such as work, school and leisure, deal with most situations while travelling, produce simple connected text on familiar topics, and describe experiences and give brief reasons and explanations.

What the CEFR says about B2

A B2 user can understand the main ideas of complex text on concrete and abstract topics, interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity so that regular interaction with native speakers is quite possible without strain for either party, and explain a viewpoint giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

In everyday terms

• B1: you can tell someone about your weekend, your job or a problem with your landlord, in simple connected sentences.
• B2: you can discuss whether working from home is a good idea, keep the conversation going when someone disagrees, and follow a radio discussion on the topic.

These examples are ours, to make the descriptions concrete; the official descriptions are above.

Why it matters now

From 26 March 2027 the level for most ILR routes rises from B1 to B2 (see Do I need B2 English for ILR?). Ways to prepare: How to prepare for B2 speaking and listening. The free checker tells you whether you probably need the test.

Last checked against GOV.UK: 21 October 2026.

Sources

1. Council of Europe: CEFR common reference levels, global scale (www.coe.int, checked 21 Oct 2026)
2. Immigration Rules: Appendix KoLL (updated 26 March 2026) (GOV.UK, checked 21 Oct 2026)

This is general information, not immigration advice. Check GOV.UK for your own route, or speak to a regulated immigration adviser (registered with the IAA, formerly OISC). Find a regulated adviser on GOV.UK.