Find the exam you need for your UK visa application
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:
| Application type | Minimum CEFR level required for UK visa | Skills required | LanguageCert SELT exam |
| Further Leave to Remain: Family life as a partner of a settled person (Spouse/Partner) Family life as a parent (Parent of a dependent) |
A1 | Speaking & Listening |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A1 (Speaking & Listening) |
| Representative of an Overseas Business visa | A1 | Speaking & Listening |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A1 (Speaking & Listening) |
| Tier 2 (Sportsperson) visa | A1 | Speaking & Listening |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A1 (Speaking & Listening) |
| 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. |
A2 | Speaking & Listening |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A2 (Speaking & Listening) |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain — ILR (Settlement/Permanent Residency) | B1 | Speaking & Listening |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (Speaking & Listening) |
| British Citizenship (Naturalisation) | B1 | Speaking & Listening |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (Speaking & Listening) |
| Tier 2 (General) visa | B1 | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
| Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa | B2 | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
| Innovator visa | B2 | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
| Start-up visa | B2 | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
| Tier 4 (General) Student visa — below degree level | B1 | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
| Tier 4 (General) Student visa — degree level and above | B2 | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
Please note the following exams may also be required by sponsors and are available by LanguageCert:
| Application type | Other CEFR levels accepted for UK visa | Skills required | LanguageCert SELT exam |
| Tier 4 (General) Student visa |
B2 | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
| C1 | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
|
| C2 | Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking |
LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C2 (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) |
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This list is accurate as of the last update by LanguageCert. However, the information is subject to change, so you should also check the UK government guidance on English language tests for UK visas for latest information. Please note that UK visa applicants are responsible for ensuring that they take the correct exam.
