I am calling on the UK Government to reassess the current English language test exemption policy for citizens of countries where no mutual exemption exists — particularly Canada.

At present, Canadian citizens are exempt from English language proficiency testing when applying for UK residency or settlement. Yet, British citizens are required to undertake such tests when applying for similar immigration or residency pathways in Canada. This lack of reciprocity is both unfair and inconsistent with the long-standing historical, cultural, and constitutional ties between our two nations.

The United Kingdom and Canada share a Head of State, a common language, and centuries of political, legal, and cultural affiliation under the Commonwealth realm. It is therefore deeply inequitable that British citizens — whose native language is English — are compelled to prove proficiency in the very language that unites our two countries, while Canadians face no such requirement here.

This policy discrepancy undermines the principles of mutual respect, fairness, and partnership that have traditionally guided UK–Canada relations. The UK government should therefore:

1. Engage the Canadian government to establish a mutual exemption for English language testing; or

2. Re-evaluate and amend the UK’s current exemption list to ensure parity, fairness, and reciprocity in immigration treatment.

Fairness must be the foundation of our shared relationship. Balancing the scales of equality between our two nations would reflect the true spirit of the Commonwealth and the friendship our people have enjoyed for generations.

It is worth noting that Canada’s current Prime Minister, Mark Carney, himself benefited from the UK’s welcoming stance during his residency and journey to citizenship — a courtesy that should be equally extended to British citizens seeking to make Canada their home.

I urge the UK Government to act decisively to promote fairness, restore balance, and uphold the principle of mutual respect in this matter.

Please sign this petition to call for reciprocal treatment and equitable recognition between the United Kingdom and Canada.