You are viewing IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration page

If the UK visa you are applying for asks you to prove your English language ability, IELTS is on
the list of approved secure English Language Tests.
To find out whether you need to take an approved test, and what level you need to achieve,
please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website for more information.
If you are applying for a visa to move to or stay in the UK, you can choose one of the tests
below:
IELTS for UKVI IELTS for UKVI Academic is for test takers wishing to study at
Academic undergraduate or postgraduate levels, and for those seeking
professional registration in the UK.
Suitable for Tier 1, Tier 2
and Tier 4 UK Visas and When applying for undergraduate and postgraduate courses at
Immigration applications most UK universities and colleges, different arrangements may
apply you should contact the institution you wish to apply to for
more information.

Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

IELTS for UKVI General IELTS for UKVI General Training is for test takers wishing to
Training migrate to the UK and for those wishing to train or study below
degree level.
Suitable for Tier 1, Tier 2
and Tier 4 UK Visas and Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
Immigration applications
IELTS Life Skills A1 IELTS Life Skills A1 is for people who need to prove their English
speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of
A1 on the CEFR / ESOL Reference for Languages (CEFR) level A1 as part of their
Entry 1 on NQF application to UKVI for Family, Spouse or Partner visa.

Components: Speaking and Listening

www.britishcouncil.org/takeielts
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council. IDP:
IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.
IELTS Life Skills A2* IELTS Life Skills A2 is for people who need to prove their English
speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of
A2 on the CEFR / ESOL Reference for Languages (CEFR) level A2 as part of their
Entry 2 on NQF application to UKVI for extension to Family, Spouse or Partner
visa.

Components: Speaking and Listening

IELTS Life Skills B1 IELTS life Skills B1 is for people who need to prove their English
speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of
B1 on the CEFR / ESOL Reference for Languages (CEFR) level B1 as part of their
Entry 3 on the NQF application to UKVI for citizenship/settlement.

Components: Speaking and Listening

IELTS for UKVI (IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, IELTS Life Skills A1, IELTS Life
Skills A2 and IELTS Life Skills B1) are taken at one of the IELTS test Centres which are
specifically authorized by UKVI for this purpose.

*** On 18 January 2016 the government announced a new English language requirement for
family route migrants seeking to extend their stay in the UK
(https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-a2-english-requirement-in-the-family-route). After
two-and-a half-years in the UK, non-EEA national partners and parents on the family route will
need to pass a Speaking and Listening test at A2 level in order to qualify for further leave to
remain on the five-year partner or parent route to settlement.

The government recognizes the need to give those affected sufficient time to prepare for the
new test. The timing of implementation and further details will be confirmed by the Home
Office in due course and published on the GOV.UK website. The new A2 English language
requirement will not affect those required to apply for further leave to remain in the
meantime.

www.britishcouncil.org/takeielts
IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council. IDP:
IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.