English skills, as a path to UK’s different visas.
The UK and many other English speaking countries make sure that the immigrants who come to their country can understand and speak English. This is why tests like IELTS may be required to show your English skills at certain required levels. The secure English Language Test (SELT) is considered by UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) authorities to be a testament to the English talent of language tests are that the Secure English Language Test is formally recognized and trusted by the British government. There are also some exemptions which are discussed below later on.
The UK accepts different secure English language test results for assessing the visa applicants. For the following application routs, you will require to take a test that evaluates your reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills:
- Student visa
- Innovator visa
- Start-up visa
- Skilled worker visa
- Minister of Religion (T2) visa
For the following application pathways, you will require to take a test that evaluates your speaking and listening skills:
- Citizenship
- Settlement
- Parent
- Partner
- Sportsperson(T2)
- A representative of foreign business
How the English skills are assessed?
You would need to show your English language skills if you’re 18 or over and applying for citizenship or settle in the UK through:
- an English qualification at B1, B2, C1, or C2 level
- a degree taught or researched in English
1- Proving English knowledge through SELT
When you think about study in the UK you have to improve your English language skills. You will need to prove that you speak and understand English at a sufficient level. English language abilities are tested against the following skills:
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
- Listening
The English language test you will require to take depends on what you are applying for. There are two categories of tests as different immigration pathways require different Levels of English language skills. The level of test you will require, known as the Common European Framework of Reference for language (CEFR) level, will depend on the course you are applying for. Students intending to take a degree-level course (such as a foundation course, or a pathway course) will need to take a SELT to obtain a UK student visa.
A large number of SELTs is considered a guarantee that incoming international students to the UK will integrate into the community and be able to study in the UK. IELTS and Trinity College London are some of the examination boards recognized by the UKVA as CELT providers.
Authorized test providers and approved tests
You can complete your SELT (Secure English Language Test) with one of the following providers:
- IELTS SELT Consortium (the UK or overseas)
- Trinity College London (only UK)
- LanguageCert (the UK or overseas )
- Pearson (the UK and overseas )
- PSI services (UK) Ltd (overseas only)
Types of the test by test providers
The IELTS SELT Consortium tests are:
- IELTS for UKVI
- Life skills
Authorized Trinity College London tests are:
- Grand Examination in Spoken English (GESE)
- Integrated Skills in English (ISE)
Authorized LanguageCert tests are:
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (Speaking and Listening)
Authorized Pearson tests are:
- Pearson PTE Home
- Pearson PTE Academic (UKVI)
Authorized PSI Services (UK) Ltd tests are:
- Skills for English UKVI(4 components)
- Skills for English UKVI(2 components)
The list of approved English language tests is assessed to meet the requirements of the Home Office under the safe English language testing system. Only these tests and test levels are approved. If you want to use the English language test in your immigration or nationality application, you must take one of the tests listed. The list of approved tests gives the level of CEFR and the minimum grade requirements for each level.
Where 2 or more components of the test (reading, writing, speaking, and listening) are tested and awarded together, for example, a joint test and certificate for reading and writing skills, you must indicate that you have achieved the required score in all relevant components. During the same session of this exam, unless you are exempt from sitting on a component due to a disability.
Approved tests websites
List of approved secure English language tests taken in the UK
List of approved secure English language tests taken in the UK (Click to download)
List of approved secure English language tests taken outside the UK (Click to download)
2- Proving English knowledge through a degree
English language skills can also be proven by not having a SELT. You can do so by proving your knowledge of English by having a degree that was taught or researched in English. If your degree is from a UK university, you only need your degree certificate. If your degree is not from a UK university you’ll need a copy of your degree certificate, an Academic Qualification Level Statement (AQUALS) from UK NARIC confirming the degree is equivalent to a UK qualification. If your degree is from a non-majority English-speaking country you’ll also need an English Language Proficiency Statement (ELPS) from UK NARIC confirming the degree was taught in English.
3- Exemptions from providing a SELT or Degree as proof
There are some exemptions that allow you as a candidate to apply for a visa or to settle in the UK without having to prove the required English language levels through the above-mentioned means. If you are above 65 have been suffering from a long-term physical or mental condition, you do not need to provide proof of English skills. For the late, you will need a confirmation from a doctor through this form (click here to download).
There are some other visa applications that exempt you to provide a SELT as English language proof for the visa application. These are:
- a refugee living in the UK
- a Commonwealth citizen on discharge from HM Forces, including Gurkhas
- someone living in the UK for with humanitarian protection
- the partner or spouse of a person who has died who was either a British citizen or someone settled in the UK
- someone who has permission to stay in the UK as a retired person of independent means
- someone living in the UK with discretionary leave
- someone in exceptional circumstances, for example as an orphan, widow or over-age dependant
- a victim of domestic violence as the partner or spouse of a British citizen or someone settled in the UK
- an adult-dependent relative between 18 and 64 of someone who is present and settled in the UK, is a refugee, or has humanitarian protection
Apart from this, the nationals of the following English speaking countries do also not require the English language tests:
- Trinidad and Tobago
USA - Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- The Bahamas
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Australia
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominica
- Grenada
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- Ireland (for citizenship only)
- Malta
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines