If you are applying for a UK visa in the UK, there is an IELTS test for you.
For visa applications to the UK, you may need to have an English language qualification. In particular, for many categories of visa, you must submit an English language qualification which is included on the UK Home Office's list of Secure English Language Tests (often referred to as SELT tests). IELTS and IELTS Life Skills are on this list.
If you wish to use an IELTS test result as a part of your application to UKVI- apart from some types of student visa- you may need to take an IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills test. Please refer to the table on page 4 to find out which IELTS test you should take for each type of UK visa.
Both the UKVI and Life Skills tests must be taken at an IELTS test loccation specifically authorised by UKVI, and must be taken under specified conditions. You will recieve an IELTS or IELTS Life Skills Test Report Form to show that your test met these requirements.
The tests are available throughout the world, in locations specified by UKVI. These IELTS test centres will be announced shortly .
We will be announcing dates for registration and testing shortly.
| Visa description | CEFR Level required | Skills | IELTS test and score required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1General visa | C1 | Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listing | IELTS - 7.0 overall, and for each of the four skills |
| Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa | B1 | Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listing | IELTS - 4.0 overall, and for each of the four skills |
| Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa | B1 | Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listing | IELTS - 4.0 overall, and for each of the four skills |
| Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa | B1 | Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listing | IELTS - 4.0 overall, and for each of the four skills |
| Tier 2 General visa | B1 | Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listing | IELTS - 4.0 overall, and for each of the four skills |
| Tier 2 Sportsperson visa | A1 | Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listing | IELTS - 4.0 overall, and for each of the four skills |
| Tier 2 Minister of religion visa | B2 | Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listing | IELTS - 5.5 overall, and for each of the four skills |
| Tier 4 General student visa - below degree level only when required | B1 | Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listing | IELTS - 4.0 overall, and for each of the four skills |
| Tier 4 General student visa - above degree level only when required | B2 | Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening | IELTS - 5.5 overall, and for each of the four skills |
| Family of a settled person visa | A1 | Speaking and Listening | IELTS Life Skills at A1 - Pass |
| Indefinite leave to remain (to settle) or citizenship | B1 | Speaking and Listening | IELTS Life Skills at B1 - Pass |
1-IELTS is accepted by UKVI at band scores 4.0 and above, equivalent to CEFR level B1.
2- IELTS can be used where IELTS Life Skills is used; candidates would need to get 4.0 or above in Speaking and Listening (scores for Reading and Writing will be ignored).
For IELTS and IELTS Life Skills, test dates will be available within 28 days at permanent locations and quarterly at pop-up locations.
For IELTS test, there are no restrictions on retaking the test.
For IELTS Life Skills, if you pass the test, you cannot retake it at the same level for a period of two years. If you do not pass it, there are no restrictions on retaking the test.
The IELTS test for UK visa purposes is designed to meet certain administrative requirements that are specific to UK Visas and Immigration. Test Report Forms will be slightly different, to show that test takers have taken the test at an IELTS UK visa session.
There are no differences in the test format or questions. The actual test taken is the same - same content, examiners, format, level of difficulty, scoring and so on.
Yes. IELTS test results are accepted by more than 9,000 organisations worldwide, including universities, colleges, governments and employers.
If your IELTS test date was on or before 22 April 2015, UKVI will accept your results until 5 November 2015.
From 23 April, UKVI will require you to submit results from an "IELTS for UKVI" test that was completed at an IELTS test centre authorised by UKVI to run IELTS tests for UK visa and immigration purposes. You must confirm at the time of registration that you wish to use your test result for these purposes.
This FAQ was updated on 9 June 2015, following an announcement from UKVI that it would accept results from all IELTS tests taken on or before 22 April, regardless of the test location.
IELTS Life Skills is a new English Language test offered by the three IELTS Test Partners - British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.
IELTS Life Skills is a test of Speaking and Listening, available at CEFR Level A1 and CEFR Level B1. It is designed to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration for certain visa categories and other immigration purposes.
The tests are available throughout the world, in locations specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). See the list of dates and locations here. You must confirm at the time of registration that you wish to use your test result for a UK visa application. You must sit the test in an "IELTS for UKVI" test session, as UKVI will not accept results from all IELTS tests offered at these locations.
To find out whether you need to take an approved test, what level you need to achieve, and which test you can use, you should contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You take the test with another test taker and one Examiner. Your own performance on both speaking and listening will be assessed during this one session.
The new test has been designed to meet specific immigration requirements for which applicants only need to demonstrate speaking and listening skills
IELTS Life Skills at CEFR Level A1 takes 16-18 minutes and Level B1 is 22 minutes
INo. You will be assessed on your Speaking and Listening skills at the same time.
A certificated IELTS Examiner will assess your performance throughout the Listening and Speaking test based on the following criteria:
Free test samples will be available shortly on www.takeielts.britishccouncil.org/ielts-uk-immigration-visa
You will receive one copy of the IELTS Life Skills Test Report Form.
Test results are normally available within 7 days of your test.
For IELTS and IELTS Life Skills, test dates will be available within 28 days at permanent locations and quarterly at pop-up locations.
For IELTS test, there are no restrictions on retaking the test.
For IELTS Life Skills, if you pass the test, you cannot retake it at the same level for a period of two years. If you do not pass it, there are no restrictions on retaking the test.