Find out more about IELTS for UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI)
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills tests
If you’re planning to live in the UK, you’ll need to take a secure English language test for your visa. Get ready for your move with our Home Office-approved IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 - B1 tests.
What are the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills tests?
To live in the UK, you’ll need to take an IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test, which assesses your English speaking and listening skills.
There are three versions available:
- IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1
- IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A2
- IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1
The tests focus on topics like family, work, housing and daily life in the UK, and are fully approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You can use your results in your UK visa, settlement or citizenship application. The test that you need to take will depend on which visa you are applying for.
You can find more information about visa requirements on the UK Government website (opens in a new tab).
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test options
The tests assess your English skills at levels A1, A2, or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
You can find more information about visa requirements on the UK Government website (opens in a new tab).
Level | Skills assessed | Common visa types |
|---|---|---|
Life Skills A1 | Speaking and Listening | Basic family visas, some settlement applications |
Life Skills A2 | Speaking and Listening | Some settlement applications |
Life Skills B1 | Speaking and Listening | British citizenship, some settlement routes |
What happens on test day?
You’ll take your IELTS for UKVI Life Skills (A1-B1) test with two people - an examiner and another student. The test is done with another student so that you can show how well you can communicate in real, everyday situations.
The test lasts 16-22 minutes, depending on your level. You'll listen to a recording, answer questions about it and then have a conversation based on what you heard. For the B1 level test, there's an extra planning activity with the other student.
During the test, the examiner will assess you on four key skills:
- getting information
- sharing information
- speaking clearly
- taking part in discussions
The recording and conversation will reflect the use of English that you’ll need for living in the UK. Topics you might need to talk about include family and friends; buying goods; work or education; transport and leisure.
IELTS for UKVI results
Results are available within seven days, and you will get one of two results - pass or fail.
If you pass, you’ll receive an official certificate that is valid for UK visa applications. If you fail the test, you cannot use the result for your visa application, and you’ll need to retake the test.
Download our IELTS for UKVI Life Skills Guide
Get your copy of our expert guide for detailed information about our IELTS for Life Skills tests.
How should I prepare for my IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test?
To pass your IELTS for Life Skills test, you need to focus on practising your English speaking and listening skills.
Take every opportunity you can to practise having conversations in English with a partner. Use this practice to build vocabulary around topics such as family, work, education, health and leisure.
Get access to our free preparation resources when you book your test. You can also use our free IELTS for UKVI Life Skills sample practice tests.
Get set for the UK with IELTS for UKVI Life Skills
IELTS is the leading secure English language test provider for the UK. If you’re planning to migrate to the UK, you can trust the British Council to help you get there.
IELTS UKVI Life Skills test: FAQs
If you fail the test, you cannot use the result for your visa application. You'll need to retake the test and pay the test fee again until you get a pass. We recommend that you use our expert preparation resources to prepare for retaking your test.
Once your test score is ready, you’ll be able to find it on the Test Taker Portal. It takes 1-5 days to get your score, but you will usually receive it within 2 days.
You’ll receive an IELTS for UKVI Life Skills Test Report Form (TRF) with your result – PASS or FAIL.
IELTS for UKVI A1 or B1 tests are available at hundreds of UK Home Office-approved locations around the world. The IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A2 test can only be taken in the UK.
Your test may be at a British Council test centre or at one of our hundreds of partner sites around the world.
Visit our IELTS booking portal to check availability at your local test centre.
If you're planning to apply to live in the UK via some visa types, Indefinite leave to remain or British citizenship, you'll need to take an IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test.
To apply for an International Sportsperson or Representative of an Overseas Business visa, or for the UK Family route for Indefinite leave to remain, you’ll need to take the IELTS for Life Skills A1 test.
To apply for an extension to a Family visa, you’ll need to take the IELTS for Life Skills A2 test, which can only be taken in the UK.
To apply for British citizenship or Indefinite leave to remain, you’ll need to take the IELTS for Life Skills B1 test.
Always check the UK’s official government website to check which test you should take before booking.
Related pages
Find out how to reschedule or cancel an IELTS for UKVI test
Get ready for your IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test with our preparation resources.