English Language Requirements for UK Visa Applications
30/03/2026
Almost every UK immigration route includes an English Language requirement, including Skilled Worker, Student visas, Family visas, Settlement and British Citizenship. There are various ways to meet this requirement; the most common is to pass an approved English Language test with a Secure English Language Testing (SELT) provider. These tests are graded based on their Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level, and you must meet a certain CEFR level or higher when applying through specific routes.
We’ve written this article to explain how the English Language requirements can be met, how tests work in the context of immigration applications, and what the current levels are for key routes.
How Can I Meet the English Language Requirement for My UK Visa?
The most straightforward way to meet the English Language requirement is to evidence that you have a degree taught in English, a UK school qualification, or that you are a national of a majority English speaking country. If your degree was not taught in the UK you will need to apply for an Ecctis assessment to confirm the degree is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and was taught in English.
If you’re registered with the relevant professional body as a doctor, dentist, nurse, midwife or vet you will also meet the requirement. Additionally, if you have evidenced that you met the English Language requirement at the relevant level in a previous immigration application, you will not be required to evidence this again.
If none of the above apply to you then you’ll need to evidence your ability by taking an approved test and should follow these five steps:
- Identify your Route. This is because each route has slightly different English Language requirements, in terms of the score you need and how many skills are tested.
- Check the required CEFR level. We’ll explain what this is and the level needed for different visa routes below.
- Choose an approved SELT provider. Currently, there are 5 authorised SELT providers which we’ll list below.
- Book an approved test. You must book an approved test with an approved provider, and must take it in an approved location.
- Achieve the minimum CEFR level and submit results during your application. Your results are proven through your Test Report Form (TRF).
This process is the same regardless of your route, but the type of test you need to take and the results you’ll need to achieve vary. We’ll now explain what the CEFR level is and which level is required for the UK’s current immigration pathways.
What is a CEFR Level?
The CEFR level is the way English Language tests are graded in terms of difficulty. They are the simplest way for the Home Office to make sure your English Language skill is high enough for your visa.
There are six CEFR levels, from lowest to highest score: A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2.
What CEFR Level Do I Need for My UK Visa?
Please refer to the following list for our outline of CEFR levels. This guidance is correct as of April 2026, but may have changed since this date; please make sure to always refer to this gov.uk guidance page for immigration routes or this page for Settlement routes to check for the required level of your chosen pathway:
| CEFR Level | Visa Types |
|---|---|
| A1 | Family visa (initial), Representative of an Overseas Business, International Sportsperson (if applying for more than 12 months), Family members of HR armed forces |
| A2 | Family visa (extensions) |
| B1 | Student visas (below Bachelor’s level) Settlement and Citizenship (applying before March 5th 2027), International Agreement (Temporary Work) |
| B2 | Skilled Worker, Student (Bachelor’s level or higher) Settlement and Citizenship (applying after 5th March 2027),T2 Minister of Religion, High Potential Individual, Scale-up, Innovator Founder |
| C1 | Student visas from some HEIs may require this higher level of English Language proficiency |
| C2 | This highest level is not currently a requirement for any UK visa routes |
| – |
Note that if you received a Skilled Worker visa when the requirement was level B1 (before January 8th 2026), you will not need to evidence a higher level of English to extend your visa.
Where Can I Take an English Language Test for My UK Visa Application?
You can take an approved SELT test with any of the following approved SELT test providers:
- IELTS SELT Consortium
- LANGUAGECERT
- Pearson
- PSI Services (UK) Ltd
- Trinity College London (only if you are applying from within the UK)
The full list of current approved locations can be found here.
How Can I Book a SELT test from LANGUAGECERT, Pearson, PSI Services UK Ltd or Trinity College London?
Each of these four companies/institutions offers approved SELT tests for UK visa applications. You must make sure that you book a test that is SELT-approved; usually this will mean the test’s title includes “SELT” or “UKVI”. A list of the exact approved tests from each provider can be found on this page. You must also take your test in an approved location. All of these providers allow you to book your test online through their respective websites.
Prices for each provider differ slightly, with tests that cover more skills often costing slightly more. In general, your test should cost between £150-200.
You will only be able to book a test with Trinity College London if you’re already in the UK. Trinity has a resources page for their SELT exams, which has been made for those who want to revise or prepare beforehand but don’t want to take one of their preparation courses. Similar free practice resources can be found on other providers’ websites.
You must remember to bring your ID with you to your exam. This can be your passport, EU ID card, BRP or a valid travel document.
The time it takes to receive your results will vary depending on your chosen testing provider. For example, Trinity College will usually email you your results within 21 days, whereas LANGUAGECERT will usually send results within 2-5 days. These results can then be used as evidence that you meet the requirement in your visa application.
How Can I Take an IELTS English Language Test?
IELTS (The International English Language Testing System) is a standardized English test provider that was founded in 1989. There are now more than 4,000 approved testing locations for IELTS exams, located in over 140 countries.
IELTS offer Life Skills tests at levels A1, A2 or B1 which are suitable for some visa applications. Otherwise, you will need to take the full IELTS for UKVI test. In this test, you need to get a minimum score in order to meet your required CEFR level.
IELTS English Language tests work slightly differently from other approved providers due to how they’re scored and how this relates to required CEFR levels.
The image here shows which IELTS score meets which CEFR criteria.
For example, if you need to meet CEFR B1, you need to score a minimum of 4 in each category. If you need to meet CEFR B2, you need to score a minimum of 5.5 in each category. If you’re unsure which IELTS score you need for your specific visa, please see our full CEFR list above or the table on this IELTS page.
Once you know which test you need to take, you can book your IELTS test online. Previously, you could book IELTS tests either on paper or on a computer, but IELTS is working to phase out paper tests and aims to transition entirely to computer tests around mid-2026.
IELTS offers free online resources and a free 6-week online preparation course, as well as face-to-face preparation courses at several locations across the world. These can be found on this webpage. There are also lots of other practice materials and sample questions online to help you prepare for your IELTS test. These can be found on the IELTS website both though this link and on this page.
All British universities and colleges accept the regular IELTS for UKVI test. Make sure to double-check the requirements of your institution before you book your test.
The cost of an IELTS test varies depending on where you are looking to take the test. For tests taken within the UK, the Life Skills A1, A2 and B1 test will cost from £182, whilst the IELTS Academic and General Training tests cost from £257.
You must remember to take your ID with you to your test. You’ll be told when you book your test what form of ID to take with you. Your photograph will be taken before the exam and in some countries your finger will be scanned. This information will only be used on your results. Please see this page on the IELTS website for further test day advice.
After taking your test, you’ll be able to preview your results online within 1-5 days after completion, though you’ll typically be able to access results in 1-2 days. This is known as your Test Report Form (TRF) and will be sent to you online, and you won’t receive a physical copy. If you’ve taken one of the remaining paper tests, you’ll receive your results in 13 days. You will then be able to show your TRF as evidence during your visa application, as long as you earned a result that is the same as or higher than the CEFR level of your visa requirements.
Do I Need to Take a Reading and Writing English Language Test for My UK Visa?
Depending on your chosen visa, you will need to take either a 2 skill (speaking and listening) or a 4 skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening) test.
The following routes only require a 2 skill (speaking and listening) English Language test:
- Settlement
- Citizenship
- Family visas (Parent and Partner)
- International Sportsperson
- Representative of an Overseas Business
The following routes require a 4 skill (reading, writing, speaking and listening) English Language test:
- Skilled Worker
- Health and Care Worker
- Student
- Minister of Religion
- Innovator Founder
- Scale-up Worker
- Start-up
- High-Potential Individual
Make sure to check your chosen test covers all the skills required for your visa before you book.
English Language Tests for Student Visas
The English Language requirement works a bit differently if you are looking to apply for a Student visa. The level of English Language you will need to meet will depend on which Higher Education Institution (HEI) you will be attending, as they will be acting as your sponsor for your visa. Each HEI has its own criteria.
For example, The University of Sheffield require students to achieve IELTS level 6.5 for both undergraduates and postgraduates (IELTS level 6.5 is the equivalent of a high-performing CEFR B2, as explained in the IELTS section above).
It’s important to check with the university and department you are hoping to attend to be sure that you are taking the right English Language test.
UK English Language Visa Requirements FAQs
What English Language level do I need to settle in the UK?
The UK’s English Language requirement for Settlement is changing. From 5th March 2027, you will need to meet a level of B2 or higher to settle in the UK. If you’re applying before this date, you will need to meet a level of B1 or higher.
Do I need to take a new English Language test if I’ve already passed one for a previous visa?
No you won’t usually need to take a new English Language test. The only exception is if your new application requires a higher level of English than you’ve already achieved. If this higher level is needed, you’ll need to take a new test to meet this higher level.
Do I need to take a new English Language test to extend my visa in the UK?
No, you don’t need to pass a new test to extend your visa in the same immigration route if you’ve already proven your English Language proficiency. The only exception to this is if a higher level is needed, you’ll need to take a new test.
What English Language evidence is required for my UK visa application?
Evidence of your English language proficiency must be provided through your results on an English test from an approved provider. You will need to submit your Test Results Form (TRF) as evidence in your application.
Can I prove English language using a degree from outside of the UK?
Yes, as long as your degree was taught in English. You will need to apply for an Ecctis assessment to confirm the degree is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher and was taught in English.
Are there any exemptions from English Language tests for UK Visas?
For Settlement and Citizenship applications, you do not need to prove your knowledge of English if you are 65 or over, or unable to because of a long term physical or mental condition.
If you have any questions about meeting the English Language requirement, please get in touch with us directly and we will be able to advise you based on your personal circumstances.
