This page identifies the public process and questions to check. It cannot confirm a deadline, preserve immigration status or determine the correct remedy for an individual case.
Start here
Four immediate checks
- 1
Use the official country checker
- 2
Confirm the intended length and route
- 3
Book only an approved clinic
- 4
Check certificate validity before applying
Keep control of the facts
Build a reliable record
Keep the complete decision, application, status record, correspondence and dates together. Use the current official page rather than screenshots or social-media summaries.
Avoid preventable harm
Important risks
- Nationality alone may not answer the question
- Unapproved-clinic tests may not be accepted
- Children and pregnant applicants have specific processes
Official starting point
Open the current government process
Know when a guide is no longer enough
Eligibility assessments, evidence reviews, application preparation and representation should be handled by a suitably regulated professional.