Quick guide to funding English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Contents
Hong Kong British National Overseas (BNO) visa holders
Status: Dedicated ESOL funding until 31 March 2026, then moves to ASF.
Available until March 31st 2026:
- £850 per learner (claimable until 31 March 2026)
- No minimum class hours
- Evidence: BN(O) visa or e‑visa
- Claims via DELTA in the quarter after course completion
From 1 April 2026
- £850 uplift ends.
- BN(O) arrivals become fully eligible for Adult Skills Fund (ASF)
- No 3 year residency rule regarding ESOL
The Afghan Schemes: Afghan Relocation Programme (ARAP) & Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS)
Status: ESOL funded through general tariff + ASF.
What Councils Can Claim
- £850 uplift is now folded into overall tariff (not ring‑fenced).
- Evidence: e‑visa or Home Office status document.
- Claims via Afghan schemes funding instructions (2023–24) on GOV.UK.
Notes for Councils
- Learners are eligible and can access Adult Skills Fund ESOL via FE providers.
- Councils may deliver additional ESOL through tariff flexibility.
How to claim: Information on the funding claim process, including the documentation required, is available via the Afghan schemes: funding instructions 2023 to 2024 page on GOV.UK.
Further details are also available via our Resettlement schemes funding instructions page.
The United Kingdom Resettlement Scheme (UKRS)
Status: ASF + additional ESOL uplift
What Councils Can Claim
- £850 per learner uplift (still available).
- Evidence: Immigration permission (e‑visa or Home Office documentation)
- Claims via UK Resettlement Programmes: Funding Instruction 2023 – 24
Notes:
UKRS learners are also eligible for Adult Skills Fund ESOL.
How to claim: Information on the funding claim process, including the documentation required, is available via the UK resettlement programmes: funding instruction 2023 to 2024 page on GOV.UK.
Further details are also available via our Resettlement schemes funding instructions page.
Homes for Ukraine & Ukraine Permission Extension
Status: No dedicated ESOL fund, but multiple ways to fund ESOL
- Eligible for Adult Skills Fund
- H4U tariffs can be used to fund ESOL as it is not ringfenced. Councils may use it to:
- Commission ESOL
- Deliver flexible, online, or intensive ESOL
- Provide wrap‑around learning support
- Document required: Permission letter from Home Office or entry stamp on passport or E Visa.
How to claim: Colleges and Adult Education will draw down funding from the Adult Skills Fund.
There is no additional funding for people arriving on the Homes for Ukraine visa, but government have provided some additional supporting information to councils. This can be found on the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and other skills support: Homes for Ukraine page on GOV.UK.
Further details are also available via our Information for local councils page.
People seeking asylum
Status: No ESOL‑specific funding stream.
- If people seeking asylum have lived in the UK for more than 6 months, they are eligible for the Adult Skills Fund
- Additional funding Available: None
- Evidence required: Application registration card (ARC) – further information on the GOV.UK website or a document from the Home Office confirming status.
How to claim: Colleges and Adult Education will draw down funding from the standard ASF route