IELTS for UKVI
IELTS for UKVI tests are approved by UK Visas and Immigration and are suitable for people who want to come and live, work or study in the UK. Book your IELTS for UKVI or Life Skills test on the British Council website.
UKVI Candidate Review
“I needed IELTS for UKVI for my visa application. MTS made it incredibly simple. The test room environment was very quiet, the headphones worked perfectly, and the staff walked us through the UKVI security procedures efficiently.”
— Muhammad, UKVI Academic test taker
About the test
IELTS for UKVI tests are accepted by United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as proof of English if you want to live, work, or study in the UK.
The following tests are used by the UKVI:
- IELTS for UKVI
- IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1
- IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A2
- IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1
The UKVI will only accept tests taken in person at an official IELTS for UKVI test centre, as UKVI requires an additional layer of security when taking language tests.
IELTS for UKVI locations
Find an approved IELTS for UKVI test centre near you.
MTS Belfast
2nd Floor, 16 Cromac Place
Belfast BT7 2JB
South and City College
Cole Bank Road
Hall Green
Birmingham B28 8ES
Lord Ashcroft International Business School
Anglia Ruskin University
Broad Street
Cambridge CB1 1PT
British Council Cardiff
1 Kingsway
Cardiff CF10 3AQ
British Council Edinburgh
9th Floor, Exchange Tower
19 Canning Street
Edinburgh EH3 8EG
MTS Glasgow
Libertas House
39 St Vincent Place
Glasgow G1 2ER
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills.
What score do I need for UKVI visa applications?
The score you will need for UKVI applications, known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level, will depend on the visa you are applying for.
- A1
For visas that require CEFR level A1
You need to achieve a Pass in your IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 test (Listening and Speaking).
- A2
For visas that require CEFR level A2
You need to achieve a Pass in your IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A2 test (Listening and Speaking).
- B1
For visas that require CEFR level B1
- You need to achieve a Pass in your IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 test (Listening and Speaking).
- You need to get at least an IELTS score of 4.0 in all four components of your IELTS for UKVI test.
- B2
For visas that require CEFR level B2
You need to get at least an IELTS score of 5.5 in all four components of your IELTS for UKVI test.
- C1
For visas that require CEFR level C1
You need to get at least an IELTS score of 7.0 in all four components of your IELTS for UKVI test.
How does IELTS for UKVI Life Skills work?
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills tests are taken face-to-face with an examiner and with one other test taker. You will be asked to conduct a structured conversation and must demonstrate that you can listen and respond to a number of tasks.
These tasks are designed to reflect the sort of conversational English you’ll need for living in the UK.
You’ll be expected to talk about everyday subjects such as:
- personal details/experiences
- family and friends
- buying goods
- work
- health
- leisure
- education/training
- transport
- housing
- weather
* The IELTS for UKVI Life Skills tests do not assess your reading or writing skills.