IELTS tests are accepted by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) as proof of English proficiency for those wishing to live, work, or study in the UK.
IELTS tests for UK Visas and Immigration must be taken in person at an official IELTS test centre.
Make sure that the test centre you book with offers IELTS UKVI (Academic), IELTS UKVI (General Training) and IELTS Life Skills testing. GOV.UK: UK Visas and Immigration requires an additional layer of security when taking IELTS tests.
Find your nearest IELTS for UKVI test location
IELTS test requirements for UKVI visas
Information shared on this web page is collated from the government website and is correct at the time of publication. To confirm your requirements, please refer to the government website or your receiving organisation.
IELTS test requirements for UKVI visas
Live in the UK
British citizenship
- Minimum CEFR level required: B1
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: British citizenship overview
Indefinite leave to remain
- Minimum CEFR level required: B1
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: Indefinite leave to remain overview
Family route
Indefinite leave to remain (UK family)
- Minimum CEFR level required: A1
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: Indefinite leave to remain (UK family) overview
Family visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: A1 (first application), A2 (when extending permission to stay), B1 (for settlement)
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A2 – Pass
- GOV.UK: Family visa overview
Ancestry visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement)
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: Ancestry overview
Work in the UK
Health and Care Worker visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B2 (B1 for those already on the route before 8 January 2026 and merely extending permission to stay)
- Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components
- GOV.UK: Health and Care Worker visa overview
International Sportsperson visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: A1
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: International Sportsperson visa overview
Minister of Religion visa (T2)
- Minimum CEFR level required: B2
- Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components
- GOV.UK: Minister of Religion visa (T2) overview
Representative of an Overseas Business visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: A1
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: Representative of an Overseas Business visa overview
Skilled Worker visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B2 (B1 for those already on the route before 8 January 2026 and merely extending permission to stay)
- Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa overview
Scale-up Worker visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B2 (B1 for those already on the route before 8 January 2026 and merely extending existing permission to stay)
- Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components
- GOV.UK: Scale-up Worker visa overview
Innovator Founder visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B2
- Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components
- GOV.UK: Innovator Founder visa overview
High Potential Individual (HPI) visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B2 (for all new applicants, effective from 8 January 2026)
- Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components
- GOV.UK: High Potential Individual visa overview
Global Talent visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement only)
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: Global Talent visa overview
Domestic Workers visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement only)
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: Overseas Domestic Workers visa overview
Study in the UK
If you're studying with a Higher Education Provider, please visit GOV.UK: Student visa overview.
Student visa
Below degree level
- Minimum CEFR level required: B1
- Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 4.0 in each of the four components
- GOV.UK: Student visa overview
Degree level or above
- Minimum CEFR level required: Equivalent to B2
- Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS or IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components
- GOV.UK: Student visa overview
Graduate visa
- No requirement
Other routes
Global Talent visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement only)
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: Global Talent visa overview
Domestic Workers visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement only)
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: Overseas Domestic Workers visa overview
Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement only)
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: British Nationals Overseas visa overview
Private Life visa
- Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement only)
- Components: Listening and Speaking
- Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
- GOV.UK: Private Life visa overview
IELTS for UKVI Academic online
In some countries we offer the option of taking the IELTS for UKVI Academic test online. Check if this option is available when you book your test.