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IELTS can be used to prove your English language abilities in support of a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) application.
Applicants who want to work, study, or immigrate to the UK will need to take an English language exam as part of their visa applications. An acceptable English language exam accepted by the organisation is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for UKVI.
A government agency called UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is in charge of selecting each year’s visitors and residents to the United Kingdom.
IELTS band scores of 4.0 and higher, which correspond to CEFR level B1, are recognised by UKVI. Both academic and general training are acceptable, but each skill’s CEFR criterion needs to be satisfied.
Your visa rules and/or the specifications of the institution where you intend to study or work will determine the exam you take and the score you need. Depending on your visa application criteria and/or the necessary test type and score of the organization you will be studying or working with, you can take the IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, or IELTS Life Skills exam.
If you are applying for a UK visa, you need to take an IELTS test approved for UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) purposes known as IELTS for UKVI. This applies to everyone coming from a non-English speaking country.
While there is no change in the content, format or level of difficulty and scoring, IELTS for UKVI simply follows certain extra security protocols to ensure the authenticity of the test taker. Also, your Test Report Form (TRF) may look slightly different from the one give for IELTS Academic or General Training.
The following IELTS tests are on this list and have been approved for UK Visas and Immigration purposes;
| Visa description | Minimum CEFR level required | Skills | IELTS test and minimum score required overall and in each skill1 |
| Tier 1 (General) visa | C1 | Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening | IELTS – 7.0 overall, and in each of the four skills |
| Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa | B1 | Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening | IELTS – 4.0 overall, and in each of the four skills |
| Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa | B1 | Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening | IELTS – 4.0 overall, and in each of the four skills |
| Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa | B1 | Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening | IELTS – 4.0 overall, and in each of the four skills |
| Tier 2 (General) visa | B1 | Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening | IELTS – 4.0 overall, and in each of the four skills |
| Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa | A1 | Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening | IELTS – 4.0 overall, and in each of the four skills1 |
| Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa | B2 | Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening | IELTS – 5.5 overall, and in each of the four skills |
| Tier 4 (General) student visa – below degree level | B1 | Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening | IELTS – 4.0 overall, and in each of the four skills |
| Tier 4 (General) student visa – degree level and above and including some pre-sessional courses | B2 | Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening | IELTS – 5.5 overall, and in each of the four skills |
| ‘Family of a settled person’ visa | A1 | Speaking and Listening | IELTS Life Skills at A1 – Pass IELTS – 4.0 in Speaking and Listening
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| Indefinite leave to remain (to settle) or citizenship | B1 | Speaking and Listening | IELTS Life Skills at B1 – Pass IELTS – 4.0 in Speaking and Listening |
