English Language Requirements UK Visa

uk visa

English Language Requirements UK Visa

English Language Requirements UK Visa

Applicants for various long-term UK visas (unless exempt) will need to take an English language exam known as: Secure English Language Testing (SELT) – administered by an approved test centre.

Tests will assess: speaking and listening ability or your reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities – depending on which immigration route is required.


Two types of tests for Uk visa and immigration applications:

There are two types of tests – as different immigration routes require different English language ability. Applicants should take the required English language test for their specific immigration route.

We will need to sit a test that assesses all four abilities if we are applying in one of the following routes:

  • Innovator • Start-up • Tier 2 (General) • Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) • Tier 4 (General)

We will need to sit a test that assesses just our speaking and listening abilities if we are applying in one of the following routes:

  • Tier 2 (Sportsperson) • Representative of an overseas business • Partner • Parent • Settlement • Citizenship

An important resource is the list of tests and test centres approved by UK Visas and Immigration to show that applicants have the required level of English for their visa. Each provider has their own website where the exam dates are published, found on the published list of tests.

The process for taking a SELT

You can only take a SELT test offered by one of the organisations on the published list of tests. Applicants must book their test using the relevant online booking system e.g. IELTS, Pearson, Trinity College London.

Details given must be the same as on your passport/identity document and on the day of the test this document must be presented. If the test is passed a unique reference number will be provided, to be used in your UK immigration application.

Tests sat in the UK can be accepted in applications made in the UK and overseas. Similarly, tests sat overseas can be accepted in applications made in the UK.

You should take care when booking your test to ensure that the test that you book is one approved for SELT:

  • for IELTS, choose: IELTS for UKVI
  • for Trinity, choose: Secure English Language Tests for UKVI
  • for Language, choose: International ESOL SELT
  • for Pearson, choose: PTE Academic UKVI, or PTE