IELTS UKVI

International English Language Testing System for UK Visas and Immigration

IELTS UKVI is a UK government approved Secure English Language Test (SELT). This means that IELTS can be used to prove your English language abilities in support of a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) application.

These tests are managed by the IELTS SELT Consortium, which comprises British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment.

IELTS UKVI Selection Procedure

IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration

The IELTS UKVI has two modules:

IELTS Academic for UK Visas and Immigration: for test takers wishing to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels and for those seeking professional registration in the UK.
IELTS General Training for UK Visas and Immigration: for test takers wishing to migrate to the UK and for those wishing to train or study below degree level.

The test format, content and scoring of the IELTS UKVI is the same as the IELTS for non-UK visa applications. IELTS UKVI is also a paper-based exam, testing Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking skills. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. All candidates take the same Listening and Speaking tests but Reading and Writing tests differ depending on the module chosen. Results are reported as band scores on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest). 1 means the candidate is a non user and 9 is for an expert user of the language. Candidates are scored for each part – Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The results from all the four parts then give an Overall Band Score. Scores for IELTS UKVI are mailed after 13 working days and are valid for 2 years. The test fee is Rs. 18,600 and a passport is required for both registration of the test and on the day of the test.

IELTS Life Skills

IELTS Life Skills test is for candidates who need to prove their speaking and listening skills at levels A1 or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This will be a single test covering speaking and listening skills.

The IELTS Life Skills – A1 Speaking and Listening is required as part of the application to UK Visas and Immigration for the Family, Spouse or Partner visa.

The IELTS Life Skills – B1 Speaking and Listening is required as part of the application to UK Visas and Immigration for the citizen or settlement visa.

The Life Skills test is taken with an examiner and another candidate. The duration of the test varies depending on the level taken. The test for Level A1 lasts between 16 and 18 minutes and the test for Level B1 is for 22 minutes. The test fee is Rs. 13,950 and a passport is needed for test registration and on the day of the test. Test results are usually available within 7 days of the test. A candidate gets either a ‘Pass’ or ‘Fail’. A fail result means that the candidate has not been successful and the test cannot be used for visa application.