The UK government confirms that IELTS will continue to be accepted for visa, immigration, and education applications.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) service, the department of the UK government responsible for handling visa and immigration applications, has extended its agreement to continue recognising IELTS as an official Secure English Language Test (SELT). This ensures that IELTS remains an approved option for people applying for visas and immigration, both in the UK and globally.
Ongoing partnership
Under this agreement, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training will continue to be accepted as valid proof of English language ability for those applying to study, work, or live in the UK. IELTS has been recognised by UKVI for almost 10 years, since SELT testing was first introduced in early 2015. This extension confirms the long-standing relationship between UKVI and IELTS, reinforcing it as a trusted method for assessing English proficiency.
Global availability and accessibility
IELTS Life Skills will also continue to be used for specific UK visa categories. Test takers are advised to check which test they need based on the visa they are applying for. IELTS for UKVI is available in over 115 countries worldwide, making it accessible to people wherever they are.
This agreement reflects the global reach of IELTS, with availability in over 115 countries, ensuring that individuals can access English language testing no matter where they are applying from.
According to the British Council’s Future of English report, 2.3 billion people are learning English globally, with two billion in non-English-speaking countries. Many of these learners will need to prove their English proficiency for study, work, or immigration purposes. As a globally recognised and trusted test, IELTS continues to play a vital role in meeting this demand.