First visa: A1
| Test | A1 needs | Where |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Life Skills IELTS SELT Consortium | A1, pass | In and outside the UK |
| PTE Home Pearson | A1, pass | In and outside the UK |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (speaking and listening) LanguageCert | A1, pass | In and outside the UK |
| Trinity GESE (Graded Examinations in Spoken English) Trinity College London | Grade 2, pass | In the UK |
| Skills for English UKVI (2 component) PSI Services | A1, pass | Outside the UK |
You can take a higher level. A B1 or higher pass can be used again to settle before 26 March 2027, if the test is still approved and the certificate has not been withdrawn. From that date settlement needs B2.
Extending after 2.5 years: A2
| Test | A2 needs | Where |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Life Skills IELTS SELT Consortium | A2, pass | In and outside the UK |
| PTE Home Pearson | A2, pass | In and outside the UK |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (speaking and listening) LanguageCert | A2, pass | In and outside the UK |
| Trinity GESE (Graded Examinations in Spoken English) Trinity College London | Grade 3, pass | In the UK |
| Skills for English UKVI (2 component) PSI Services | A2, pass | Outside the UK |
If you passed A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2 for your first visa, you can use that result again. If you were exempt the first time, you need to pass A1.
Settling after 5 years
| Test | B1 needs | Where |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI IELTS SELT Consortium | 4 in each skill | In and outside the UK |
| PTE Academic UKVI Pearson | 43 in each skill | In and outside the UK |
| LanguageCert Academic SELT LanguageCert | 40 in each skill | In and outside the UK |
| LanguageCert General SELT LanguageCert | 40 in each skill | In and outside the UK |
| Trinity ISE (Integrated Skills in English) Trinity College London | ISE I, pass | In the UK |
| Skills for English UKVI (4 component) PSI Services | B1, pass | Outside the UK |
| IELTS Life Skills IELTS SELT Consortium | B1, pass | In and outside the UK |
| PTE Home Pearson | B1, pass | In and outside the UK |
| LanguageCert International ESOL SELT (speaking and listening) LanguageCert | B1, pass | In and outside the UK |
| Trinity GESE (Graded Examinations in Spoken English) Trinity College London | Grade 5, pass | In the UK |
| Skills for English UKVI (2 component) PSI Services | B1, pass | Outside the UK |
Before 26 March 2027: B1 in speaking and listening. From 26 March 2027: B2 in speaking and listening, unless your visa was granted on B2 evidence. On today's list every B2 test examines all four skills.
Who does not need to prove it
- People aged 65 or over, children, and adults coming to be cared for by a relative.
- Partners or parents extending after 5 years on a family visa.
- 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.
Questions
What English test do I need for a spouse visa?
An approved SELT in speaking and listening at A1 for the first visa: IELTS Life Skills A1, PTE Home A1, LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A1, Trinity GESE Grade 2 in the UK, or PSI Skills for English A1 outside the UK.
Do I need B2 for ILR as a spouse?
For settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027, yes: B2 in speaking and listening. Before that date it is B1.
Can I take B1 for my first spouse visa?
Yes. A1 is the minimum. A B1 or higher result can be used again to settle before 26 March 2027, if it is still on the approved list.