UKVI IELTS For 2022 – IELTS Requirement For UK Visa & Immigration

Individuals intending to migrate to the United Kingdom for academic or professional purposes need to appear for UKVI IELTS. IELTS for UK visa and immigration is one of the Secure English language tests (SELT) that is approved by the UK Home Office. 

This implies that one can use their IELTS score to prove English language abilities to support UK visa and immigration applications. The UKVI IELTS is the same as that of a regular IELTS, which assesses the English language proficiency of a candidate in 4 sections: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. They are exactly similar in content, format, level of difficulty, and scoring pattern. However, the sole difference is that UKVI IELTS is approved by the UK government for work, study, or migration to the UK. Notably, there are different types of tests within UKVI IELTS that test-takers can appear for depending on their requirement.Aspiring candidates can refer to the following sections to get an overall idea about IELTS UKVI.

Tests Approved for UK Visa & Immigration

The IELTS test that one appears for and the score will vary on one’s visa requirements and the requirements of the establishment that one intends to work or study at.Here are the various IELTS tests that fall under the list of approved SELTs and are accepted for UK visa and immigration applications. 

Type of the IELTS test	Purpose of the Test
UKVI IELTS (Academic Test)	The UKVI IELTS Academic is ideal for candidates who plan to pursue an undergraduate or postgraduate course in any of the UK institutions. It is also for those who are looking for professional registration in the country. IELTS UKVI Academic test is available on the computer in various locations.
UKVI IELTS (General Training Test)	This test is suitable for individuals who are looking to migrate to the UK and pursue a course below degree level.
IELTS Life Skills A1	Life Skills A1 visa is for individuals who have to prove their English Listening and Speaking skills to obtain a UK visa for Family, Representative of Foreign Businesses or Sportsperson.  This test is within the CEFR and is equal to ESOL Entry 3 for the National Qualification Framework.
IELTS Life Skills A2	This test is meant for those who have to prove their Speaking and Listening skills as part of their application for UK visas for extension of Family. Notably, this test is available only in the United Kingdom and is within the CEFR.
Life Skills B1	IELTS Life Skills B1 test assesses Listening and Speaking skills of individuals who wish to apply for UK visas for immigration and citizenship. This visa is also popularly called an indefinite leave to stay visa.

About UKVI IELTS Academic & General Test

IELTS UKVI tests have been formulated to meet particular administrative requirements laid down by the UK government. Interested candidates can sit for these tests at the designated UKVI test centres.

The UKVI IELTS Academic and General Training tests are usually meant for those who plan to apply for Innovator, Skilled Worker, Minister of Religion, Start-up, or Student visas. Interestingly, the IELTS UKVI Academic and General Training test is the same as that of regular IELTS. However, the test report forms are usually a bit different as it shows that candidates have appeared for the test from a designated test centre. 

Life Skills Test

IELTS Life Skills are a new set of tests that is UKVI approved and a part of the SELT list that are available at CEFR levels A1 and B1. Life Skills test determines Speaking and Listening skills for individuals who are willing to apply for various categories of UK visas.The UK government introduced a new English language requirement in early 2016 for individuals who wish to extend their stay in the UK through the family route. Non-EEA partners and parents intending to use the family route have to appear for and pass the A2 level Speaking and Listening test. This will make them eligible for a 5-year extended stay. This test will assess the everyday communication of the applicants in an English-speaking nation, and the topics will be as follows:

• Family and friends
• Personal experiences
• Working, Training, and education
• Transport, healthcare, housing, and more
• Purchasing goods
• Leisure, travel, and weather

An examiner will assess the Speaking and Listening skills of a candidate on the basis of the following:

• Gathering information
• Participating in discussions
• Speaking for communication
• Conveying information

Here’s a detailed overview of the different types of IELTS Life Skills and the type of tasks one needs to carry out:  

Type of test	Test focus	Tasks
A1	• Listening and responding to spoken language that will include statements, simple narratives, single-step instructions, or questions • Opinions and observations on various familiar topics • Conversing about familiar topics with another person	• Providing opinions and personal information • Mentioning preferences • Commenting on various topics • Suggesting • Explaining, justifying or providing reasons • Seeking information or descriptions • Agreeing or disagreeing • Selecting
B1	• Listening and responding to simple narratives, straightforward information, explanations and instructions • Communicating feelings and opinions about various familiar topics with the help of appropriate formalities • Conversing with one or more individuals about familiar contexts and responding to others thereby reaching a common understanding about the provided topics	Along with the tasks mentioned above for Life Skills A1, one has to answer the following tasks: • Narrating • Planning • Persuading • Showing comparisons • Prioritising • Asking about future or past events • Showing reasons, purposes, or contrast

IELTS Test Score Required for UK Visas

Individuals applying for a UK visa under any of the categories have to compulsorily secure a specific score in IELTS to support their visa application. This tabular representation shows the minimum IELTS score that one needs to obtain different UK visas.

Type of Visa	Skills Assessed	Required CEFR Level	Minimum IELTS Score Required
Tier 1 General visa	Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking	C1	7.0 overall as well as in each of the 4 sections
Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa	Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening	B1	4.0 total score and in each of the test sections
Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa	Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking	B1	Overall score of 4.0 and the same in individual sections
Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur visa	Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening	B1	4.0 aggregate score and in each of the test sections
Tier 2 General visa	Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening	B1	Overall 4.0 and same score band separately in every section
Tier 2 Sportsperson visa	Reading, Speaking, Writing and Listening	B1	Overall 4.0 and same score band separately in every section
Tier 2 Sportsperson visa	Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening	A1	IELTS overall score of 4.0 and every skill
Tier 2 Minister of Religion visa	Reading, Speaking, Listening and Writing	B2	5.5 overall score and same in every section of the test
Tier 4 General Student visa for below degree level	Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening	B1	4.0 aggregate score and individually in each section
Tier 4 General Student visa- degree level or above and some pre-sessional courses	Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking	B2	5.5 score band in total as well as individually in 4 skills
‘Family of a Settled Individual’ visa	Listening and Speaking	A1	4.0 in the both Speaking and Listening test
Citizenship or indefinite leave to remain	Speaking and Listening	B1	4.0 score band in Speaking and Listening skills each

IELTS UKVI Registration Process

IELTS for UK Visa and Immigration is managed jointly by IDP: IELTS Australia, British Council, and Cambridge Assessment English. Students who are planning to move to the UK through IELTS UKVI can register for SELT-approved tests either offline or online.

Online Registration

Registering for UKVI IELTS online is a highly convenient process that involves the following steps:

1. First, visit the official website of IELTS and create an account by providing necessary personal information such as a valid email ID, contact number, and others.
2. Now, log in to your profile.
3. Next, choose the type of test that you wish to appear for. It can be either IELTS UKVI or IELTS Life Skills. 
4. After this, look for a suitable test date. You must remember that getting a preferred test date is usually subject to availability. Hence, it is advised to book a test at least 3 months beforehand. Typically, the Speaking section takes place 7 days before or after the assigned test date.
5. Carefully enter the candidate details on the online application form. Make sure to recheck the information before submission.
6. If required, apply for additional TRFs in case you wish to send your IELTS score to more than the allowed number of institutions. 
7. Once completed, proceed to make the payment. The fees have to be paid either through Netbanking or by credit/debit cards. The test fee for IELTS UKVI is Rs. 15,100, while that of the IELTS Life Skills test stands at Rs. 13,940.

Offline 

One can also register for UKVI IELTS through the offline method. All you have to do is to download the registration form from the official website of IELTS and fill it up accordingly. Once done, submit the same at the nearest IELTS branch office. For offline registration, you can make the payment of the fee either through a demand draft or bank deposition. 

IELTS UKVI Test Location & Results

The test results for IELTS UKVI and IELTS Life Skills are released in 13 days and 7 days, respectively. Notably, the test results cannot be checked online. It is sent to the postal address that one provides at the time of application. The tests are available across the country in centres that are approved by the UKVI. Notably, UKVI does not accept test results from centres that are not officially designated or approved. Hence, candidates should make sure to sit for a UKVI IELTS test session. Moreover, one should clarify at the time of the test that they intend to use the test score for a UK visa application.

Also Read: IELTS Test Centres in UK

Crucial Tips for IELTS

Being a highly competitive test, IELTS can be quite challenging. However, students can use the following tactics while preparing for the test to achieve the desired score band:

Learn about the test format 

It is necessary to understand the test format before you start with the preparations. Make sure to check the test format, question patterns, and the syllabus of the test so that you can familiarise yourself with the test. 

Go for a Practise Test

Candidates should opt for practice tests while preparing for IELTS to develop their familiarity with the test and also to identify their strengths and drawbacks. This will help you work on your weaknesses and build upon your areas of strength.However, if you are unable to improve your skill and abilities through repeated attempts, you can opt for expert guidance. One of the most effective ways to prepare is to choose an IELTS preparation course.

Work on your English Abilities

Since IELTS is an English language proficiency test that assesses the candidate’s language abilities, it is essential to develop and sharpen your skills and abilities in English. Make sure to read English magazines, journals, novels or communicate with native English speakers. Learn new words to enrich your vocabulary and try to use them in sentences to improve your writing and speaking skills. Moreover, you can work on your improving your fluency to obtain a high score band in the Speaking and Listening test.

Improve your Time Management Skills

 IELTS tests are conducted under a particular time limit. You need to prepare for each section under timed conditions so that you can become familiar with the pace of the test. 

Each section of the test has to be completed within a time frame, and if you are unable to complete it within the time limit, you will end up with a lower score band.

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