When applying for a visa to live, work or study in the UK, you may be required to prove your English language skills through a SELT exam (Secure English Language Test).
Depending on the visa type, you will be asked to take a two-skills (Speaking & Listening) or four-skills (Listening Reading, Writing & Speaking) exam, at a specified minimum level. If your English language competence is higher than the minimum requirement set by the UK Home Office, you can take an exam at a level higher than the minimum requirement.
The table below outlines the skills required and the minimum competence level required for each visa type:
Exam requirements for UK visa types
Application type
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
LanguageCert SELT exam
Application type
Further Leave to Remain:
Family life as a partner of a settled person (Spouse / Partner)
Family life as a parent (Parent of a dependent)
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
A1
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A1
(Speaking & Listening)
(Speaking & Listening)
Application type
Representative of an Overseas Business visa
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
A1
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A1
(Speaking & Listening)
(Speaking & Listening)
Application type
Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
A1
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A1
(Speaking & Listening)
(Speaking & Listening)
Application type
Further Leave to Remain (visa extension):
Family life as a partner of a settled person (Spouse/Partner)
Family life as a parent (Parent of a dependent)
An A2 English language SELT is required for family route Leave to Remain applications after 2.5 years in the UK.
Family life as a partner of a settled person (Spouse/Partner)
Family life as a parent (Parent of a dependent)
An A2 English language SELT is required for family route Leave to Remain applications after 2.5 years in the UK.
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
A2
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A2
(Speaking & Listening)
(Speaking & Listening)
Application type
Indefinite Leave to Remain — ILR
(Settlement/Permanent Residency)
(Settlement/Permanent Residency)
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
B1
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1
(Speaking & Listening)
(Speaking & Listening)
Application type
British Citizenship (Naturalisation)
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
B1
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1
(Speaking & Listening)
(Speaking & Listening)
Application type
Tier 2 (General) visa
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
B1
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
Application type
Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
B2
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
Application type
Innovator visa
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
B2
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
Application type
Start-up visa
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
B2
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
Application type
Tier 4 (General) Student visa - below degree level
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
B1
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
Application type
Tier 4 (General) Student visa - degree level and above
Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa
B2
LanguageCert SELT exam
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)
(Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking)