SELT English Language Test for UK Visa Applications

As alluded to above, you can only take SELT tests – all other forms of English tests will not be accepted.

There are four SELT test providers which are approved by the Home Office. They are: Trinity College London, ITELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert and Pearson Education Ltd.

Also, keep the following points in mind when booking a test:

• Choose ‘IELTS for UKVI’ rather than ‘IELTS’ for IELTS tests
• Choose ‘Secure English Language Tests for UKVI’ for Trinity tests
• Choose ‘International ESOL SELT for LanguageCert tests
• Choose ‘PTE Academic UKVI’ or ‘PTE Home’ for Pearson Education Ltd.

There are numerous accredited test centres throughout the world, which means that you do not need to be in the UK to take the test. A list of the current approved test centres can be found here. If you are unable to book a test in you chosen area, you should check the availability at other test centres.

If you are in the UK, there are thirteen test centres across the United Kingdom you can choose from.

Tests which are taken in the UK can be accepted in applications made from outside of the UK. Likewise, if your test was taken outside of the UK, you can still use your test result for applications made from within the UK.

In some countries, there will be a very high demand for tests, particularly at certain times of year. It is a good idea to book your test well in advance of the date you are hoping to travel to the UK.

On the day of the test, you will need to provide evidence of your identity at the test point. The only acceptable forms of identification are:

• Passport
• Travel document
• EU identity card
• Government ID card
• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP)
• Biometric Registration Card (BRC)

Any document which you provide must be the original and must not have expired. It needs to also include a photograph.

If the Home Office is currently holding your passport, you should get in contact with them to explain your situation and request the return of your passport. It is important to note that the test centre will not accept photocopies of your passport, so you must ensure you have the original document.

If you do not have any of the documents mentioned above, you should get in contact with the Home Office to explore your options.

If you pass the test, you will be given a unique reference number which you will need to quote on your visa application. The number will be used to identify the candidate and verify their results.

Many people who apply for one of these UK visas will not need to fulfil the English language test requirement.

Firstly, if you are a citizen of one of the following countries, you will not need to fulfil the English language test:

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Australia
• The Bahamas
• Barbados
• Belize
• Canada
• Dominica
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Jamaica
• New Zealand
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Lucia
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• USA

Also, if you have graduated from a course which was taught in English at either undergraduate or postgraduate level, you will be exempt from the English language test requirement.

The other exemptions from the English language requirement are:

• Those aged 65 or over
• Anyone suffering from a long-term physical or mental condition
• Victims of domestic violence whose partner is a British citizen or has settlement status in the UK
• Adult dependant aged between 18 and 64
• Partner or spouse of a person who has died who was a British citizen or had settlement status in the UK