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Live and work in the UK

Take IELTS if you are applying for a
UK visa application to work or live in
the UK.

Live and work in the UK

IELTS for UKVI Academic and General Training and

IELTS Life Skills are approved Secure English
language tests (SELT) by the UK Home Office for
visa applications to the UK.

All British universities and colleges accept IELTS

Academic results. This means you may not need to
take an IELTS for UKVI (Academic) test but can
submit an IELTS Academic result. Before booking
your test, make sure to check which test you need
with the organisations you are applying to.

The IELTS test you take – and the score you need
– will depend on both your visa requirements and/or
the requirements of the institution where you plan to
study or work.

The IELTS tests below are included on the list of

SELT tests and have been approved for UK Visas
and Immigration purposes:

Test Purpose

IELTS for This test is for test takers

UKVI wishing to study at
(Academic) undergraduate or
postgraduate levels, and for
those seeking professional
registration in the UK.

IELTS for UK Visas and

Immigration (Academic) is
also available
computer in certain
locations.

IELTS for This test is for test takers

UKVI wishing to migrate to the UK
(General and for those wishing to train
Training) or study below degree level.

IELTS Life This test is for those who

Skills A1 need to prove their English
Speaking and Listening skills
as part of their application to
UK Visas and Immigration
for Sportsperson (T2),
Representative of an
Overseas Business, or
Family (Spouse/partner;
Fiancé, fiancée or proposed
civil partner; Parent of a
dependent) visas.

IELTS Life This test is for those who

Skills A2 need to prove their English
Speaking and Listening skills
as part of their application to
UK Visas and Immigration
for extension to Family
visas (Spouse/partner or
Parent of a dependent).
(This test is only available in
the UK)

IELTS Life This test is for those who

Skills B1 need to prove their English
Speaking and Listening skills
as part of their application to
UK Visas and Immigration
for Citizenship or Settlement
(also known as indefinite
leave to remain) visas.

IELTS for UKVI - Academic and

General Training

The IELTS for UKVI Academic and General Training

tests are suitable for you if you’re applying for the
Innovator, Start-up, Skilled Worker (formerly known
as Tier 2 General work visa), Minister of Religion
(T2) or Student (formerly known as the Tier 4
General student) visa.

IELTS for UKVI tests are designed to meet specific

administrative requirements outlined by the UK
Home Office and are taken at a UKVI approved test
centre.

The actual test taken is the same as IELTS tests for

all other purposes and includes the
same: content, format, scoring and level of
difficulty. Test Report Forms will be slightly different
in order to show that you have taken the test at an
UKVI approved test centre.

Please note: You can either book IELTS for UKVI

online (using the dropdown below), or you can also
download the booking form here and register for
the test at the test centre. For test date availability,
child protection form and information about the
payment options, please contact your test centre.

Book with the British Council and you will

receive:

Free access to personalised IELTS for UKVI

preparation support package 'GEL IELTS':
which includes familiarisation materials, mock
tests and practice resources for all four skills.

Free access to a last minute preparation

course 'Road to IELTS'
: which includes nine videos giving advice and
tutorials, 100 interactive activities and two
IELTS Academic practice tests for each of the
four skills.

Free practice tests and preparation

materials
: practice IELTS with the British Council for
free online or with a copy of the IELTS Practice
book which contains sample tests for IELTS
Academic and IELTS General Training.
Convenient dates and locations: we have
multiple test locations in countries all around
the world. There are more than 800 official
British Council IELTS test centres, all of which
are conveniently located and have modern
facilities.

Five extra Test Report Forms for free: we

send these free of charge to institutions you’re
applying to (e.g. immigration offices,
universities, etc.)

Easy booking and friendly, professional

staff: you can book the test online or in person
with convenient payment options. Our
experienced staff will help you every step of
the way to make sure that your IELTS journey
runs smoothly.

To book direct with the British Council, simply

choose your country/territory from the dropdown
below.

Find out which UKVI score you need

for your visa
Discover which IELTS UKVI test you need to take
and what score you need to achieve.

IELTS Life Skills

IELTS Life Skills can prove your Speaking and
Listening skills for the family visa, indefinite leave to
remain or citizenship visas.

Take an IELTS UKVI test in your

country/territory:

Choose a country/territory

IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills practice

tests

IELTS reappointed as a language test

for UK government visas

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