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Rules checked 12 October 2026

A1 English test for a spouse or partner visa

Your first partner visa needs A1 in speaking and listening. It is a short test: a few minutes of conversation and listening. Here are the tests that count, what they cost and how to book.

  • IELTS Life SkillsFee set by each centre
    Pass
    A1, pass
    Length
    Shown when you book
    Result
    Shown when you book
    Where
    In and outside the UK
    Book with IELTS SELT Consortium
  • PTE Home£170
    Pass
    A1, pass
    Length
    22 minutes
    Result
    Usually within 2 days
    Where
    In and outside the UK
    Book with Pearson
  • LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (speaking and listening)£160
    Pass
    A1, pass
    Length
    8 to 9 minutes
    Result
    3 to 5 working days
    Where
    In and outside the UK
    Book with LanguageCert
  • Trinity GESE (Graded Examinations in Spoken English)£160
    Pass
    Grade 2, pass
    Length
    6 minutes
    Result
    GESE: provisional result by 9am the next day
    Where
    In the UK
    Book with Trinity College London
  • Skills for English UKVI (2 component)Fee set in each country
    Pass
    A1, pass
    Length
    Shown when you book
    Result
    Usually within 3 to 5 days
    Where
    Outside the UK
    Book with PSI Services
  • A1Speaking and listening
  • £160Trinity GESE Grade 2 or LanguageCert
  • 6 minTrinity GESE Grade 2
  • 2 yearsHow long a result counts
Take the free speaking and listening checkCheck your visa's English rule

What A1 means

A1 is the first level on the CEFR scale. You can understand and use everyday phrases, introduce yourself, and answer simple questions about where you live, people you know and things you have, if the other person speaks slowly and clearly.

How to book

  • Choose a test from the table and book on the provider's website, in the name on your passport.
  • Bring your passport, or in the UK your eVisa share code. Emergency travel documents are not accepted.
  • Put the reference number from your result on your visa application.

Who does not need it

  • People aged over 65, children, and adults coming to be cared for by a relative.
  • People with a physical or mental condition that prevents it.
  • Nationals of the majority English-speaking countries on GOV.UK's list.
  • People with a degree taught in English: a UK degree, or one Ecctis confirms.

Taking a higher level instead

A1 is the minimum. An A2 pass can be used again when you extend, and a B1 pass can be used again to settle before 26 March 2027, if the test is still approved.

Questions

How much is the A1 English test for a spouse visa?

In the UK, on the providers' sites on 12 October 2026: Trinity GESE Grade 2 £160, LanguageCert A1 speaking and listening £160, PTE Home A1 £170. IELTS Life Skills prices are set by each centre.

Is the A1 English test hard?

It tests basic everyday English: saying who you are, talking about family and home, and understanding short, slow speech. Practice with real conversations helps most.

How long does the A1 test take?

Trinity GESE Grade 2 is 6 minutes, LanguageCert A1 is 8 to 9 minutes and PTE Home A1 is 22 minutes.

When do I get my A1 result?

Trinity emails a provisional result by 9am the next day, Pearson says PTE Home results usually come within 2 days, and LanguageCert gives results in 3 to 5 working days.

On GOV.UK

Want more practice before your A1 test?

Our practice is set at B1, a step above A1, so the A1 test feels easier after it. It is optional: you only need to pass A1. Try the free check first to see where you are.

  1. ListeningTwo recordings, 10 questions, marked with reasons
  2. SpeakingA two-minute task and three questions, read for feedback
  3. TestsFour, each with new recordings and a new task

Try the free speaking and listening check first

B1 Visa English

£29 once. No VAT is charged.

Four B1 speaking and listening practice tests, marked against our B1 line, for 12 months.

  • Four B1 practice tests: two recordings and ten questions each
  • Every answer marked, with the reason and the transcript
  • A speaking task in each test, read against the band descriptors
  • Your first sitting of each test saved, so you can see your progress

Access for 12 months, until 13 October 2027. Sit all four B1 practice tests, the last at least four weeks after the first. If your last test is below our B1 line and no higher than your first, we refund the £29 in full. Or ask for a full refund within 14 days of paying, for any reason.

By paying you agree to our Terms and get access straight away, which ends your 14-day cancellation right. Your full refund within 14 days, for any reason, still applies.