How foreign-qualified lawyers can become solicitors of England and Wales through the SQE — the route, the exemptions and what to expect.
For foreign-qualified lawyers, dual qualification in English law opens up a recognised, internationally portable credential. English law is the most widely chosen governing law for cross-border commercial agreements and dispute resolution, and London remains one of the world’s most important legal and financial centres.
Becoming a solicitor of England and Wales can:
You do not need to be based in the UK to qualify. The SQE is administered through Pearson VUE test centres in many countries, and there is no residency or work-authorisation requirement for admission to the Roll.
QLTS School has been preparing foreign-qualified lawyers for English qualification for more than 15 years — first for the QLTS, now for the SQE, which was modelled on it. The expertise is the same; the assessment has evolved.
Our preparation is built specifically around your situation: moving from another legal system into English law, often while working full-time, sitting an exam that rewards accurate application over memorisation.
In the July 2023 SQE1 sitting, 94% of QLTS candidates who completed 25 or more mock tests passed and reported their results, against the SRA’s overall rate of 53%. Across subsequent sittings the pattern holds: more realistic mock testing, materially higher pass rates.
The SRA recognises that lawyers already qualified in another jurisdiction bring substantial relevant experience to the qualification process. The route for foreign-qualified lawyers reflects that:
Foreign-qualified lawyers do not need to complete the two-year qualifying work experience requirement that applies to most UK candidates. Your existing legal qualification and experience satisfy this part of the process.
Most foreign-qualified lawyers from pre-agreed jurisdictions, with at least two years of professional legal work experience, are entitled to exemption from SQE2 on application. Lawyers from other jurisdictions can apply for an individual SQE2 exemption, which is assessed by the SRA on a case-by-case basis. SQE2 exemption is not automatic, but it is granted in the majority of cases that meet the criteria.
SQE1 is required in nearly all foreign-qualified cases. It assesses Functioning Legal Knowledge across the law of England and Wales — a substantively different body of law from most other jurisdictions. SQE1 exemptions exist in principle but are uncommon in practice.
Once you have your exemption(s) confirmed and SQE1 passed, you apply for admission through your mySRA account. Admission is the final step.
In practice for most foreign-qualified lawyers, the route looks like this: apply for SQE2 exemption (granted in most cases), prepare for and pass SQE1, then apply for admission. No QWE required.
Before applying for any exemption or registering for the SQE, set up your mySRA account. This is the SRA’s secure portal and the channel for all subsequent applications.
Submit your exemption application through mySRA as soon as you start your preparation. The SRA charges a fee for each application, and processing usually takes several months, so applying early avoids losing time. You can prepare for the assessments you still need to sit while your exemption application is being processed.
SQE1 is a closed-book assessment of legal knowledge under strict time pressure. For most foreign-qualified lawyers, even those with significant experience, the challenge is twofold: the substantive law of England and Wales is different from what they already know, and the exam format itself is demanding. Realistic, exam-focused preparation matters.
SQE1 is administered by Kaplan on behalf of the SRA, at Pearson VUE test centres around the world. You book your sitting through your mySRA account.
Once your exemption is confirmed and SQE1 is passed, you apply for admission through mySRA. You will need to meet the SRA’s character and suitability requirements as part of the application.
Read more on applying to the Roll of Solicitors →
For a typical foreign-qualified lawyer applying for SQE2 exemption and preparing for SQE1, the journey takes roughly nine to eighteen months from starting preparation to admission — longer if your exemption application requires individual assessment, or if you sit SQE1 across more than one window. Many candidates work full-time during their preparation.
Costs fall into three buckets: SQE assessment fees (set by Kaplan and reviewed periodically), SRA fees for exemption applications and admission, and your preparation course. Check the SRA and Kaplan websites for current fees. Your preparation course is the part you have most control over and is the largest investment most candidates make in their qualification.
There is no requirement to live or work in the UK to qualify. Many foreign-qualified lawyers prepare for and sit the SQE from their home country and continue to practise there — the English qualification adds to their existing credentials rather than replacing them. Others use admission to relocate or to take up roles with international firms in the UK or elsewhere.
If English is not your first language, the SRA requires you to demonstrate that you can communicate in English to the level required to practise. The SRA accepts a range of evidence for this, including recognised qualifications and confirmation that you have studied or worked in English at the required level. Check the SRA’s current guidance for the accepted evidence.
Preparing for SQE1 is rarely about learning more law. Most foreign-qualified lawyers are already accomplished legal professionals. The challenge is different. SQE1 tests:
Our SQE1 preparation course is designed around realistic, exam-focused practice. It includes textbooks, practice questions, video tutorials, podcasts, flashcards, summary notes, AI-powered feedback and 30 realistic mock tests on a Pearson VUE-style platform.
We offer three SQE1 course packages with various features and prices.
Considering specialist support for your exemption application? Some foreign-qualified lawyers prefer specialist guidance when preparing their SQE2 exemption application, particularly for individual (non-pre-agreed) applications, where evidence and presentation matter. Our SQE2 Exemption Advice Service offers practical, specialist support from start to finish.
earn about the SQE2 exemption advice service →
No. There is no UK residency or work-authorisation requirement to qualify or be admitted to the Roll. Many foreign-qualified lawyers prepare for and sit the SQE in their home country and continue to practise there.
Most foreign-qualified lawyers are granted SQE2 exemption on application. You will normally still need to sit and pass SQE1. SQE2 exemption is not automatic, but it is granted in the majority of cases that meet the SRA’s criteria.
Yes. Foreign-qualified lawyers are automatically exempt from the two-year QWE requirement. Your existing legal qualification and experience satisfy this part of the process.
For most foreign-qualified lawyers, expect nine to eighteen months from starting preparation to admission. The timeline depends on how quickly your exemption application is processed, when you sit SQE1, and whether you sit it in a single window or across multiple.
The SQE1 is taken on a computer at Pearson VUE test centres in the UK and in many locations around the world.
You should check your mySRA account for the most up-to-date information about available locations and seat availability.
Yes, and most candidates do. The exemption application takes several months, and there is no reason to wait. Starting preparation early helps you avoid losing time.
You can still apply for an individual SQE exemption. The SRA assesses each application against its published criteria. Individual applications take longer than pre-agreed exemptions and require more supporting evidence, but they are routinely granted where the criteria are met.
Not necessarily. Most aspiring solicitors demonstrate their proficiency in English or Welsh by passing the SQE2 assessment.
If you have been granted an exemption from SQE2, you must demonstrate your language proficiency before applying for admission as a solicitor of England and Wales.
You can do this by:
Admission to the Roll adds to your existing qualifications — it does not replace them. Most foreign-qualified lawyers continue to practise in their home jurisdiction alongside their new English credential.
Where to go from here depends on where you are in the process:
Download our SQE brochure or book a free consultation. We will talk through your background, what exemptions you are likely to qualify for, and the most efficient route to admission.
Open your mySRA account and submit your SQE exemption application. Then explore our SQE1 preparation course, which is our primary product for foreign-qualified lawyers preparing for the only assessment most will need to sit.
Our SQE2 Exemption Advice Service offers specialist support for candidates who want guidance through the process.
Whichever stage of the journey you are at, our team is here to help you move forward with confidence.
