English Tests for Visa & Immigration
IELTS for UKVI, SELT tests and CELPIP: the English tests that immigration authorities in the UK and Canada accept.
For a visa, residence permit or citizenship, a general English certificate is often not enough. Immigration authorities accept only tests from their own approved list, taken under special conditions. Find out which test you need, then prepare with the right format.
The Tests at a Glance
Which test belongs to which country.
| Test | Country | Used for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS for UKVI | United Kingdom | Study, work and family visas | Same content as IELTS, but only at approved UKVI test centres |
| IELTS Life Skills | United Kingdom | Family visas, settlement, citizenship | Speaking and listening only, at A1, A2 or B1 |
| SELT tests | United Kingdom | All UK visas that require English | "Secure English Language Test": the UK's list of approved tests and providers |
| CELPIP | Canada | Permanent residence and citizenship | Computer-based; scores match the Canadian Language Benchmarks |
Which level you need depends on the visa. The official government website has the current rules.
Prepare for Your Test
Each test has its own guide, training plan and exercises.
1IELTS for UKVI & IELTS Life Skills
IELTS for UKVI has the same tasks and scores as normal IELTS, but it is taken at test centres approved by UK Visas and Immigration. IELTS Life Skills is a shorter test of speaking and listening for family visas, settlement and citizenship.
2SELT Tests (UK)
A SELT is a Secure English Language Test approved by the UK Home Office. Only tests on the official list count for a UK visa, and they must be taken at an approved centre or under approved online conditions. IELTS for UKVI is one of them; other providers are also on the list.
3CELPIP (Canada)
The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program is accepted for Canadian permanent residence and citizenship. It is taken on a computer, uses Canadian English, and reports levels that match the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).
+Other Countries
Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and other countries publish their own lists. They often accept the big international tests, such as IELTS General Training or PTE, with a minimum score for each skill. Check the immigration website of the country you are applying to.
How to Choose the Right Test
For a visa, the authority decides, not you. Start with its official list.
?Four Questions to Ask
- Visa Which visa or permit are you applying for, and in which country?
- Approved test Which tests are on the authority's current list?
- Level Which overall score, and which minimum for each skill, do you need?
- Test centre Where can you take the approved version, and when?
Take the test your visa asks for.
Check the official list, book the approved version, and practise the format until it feels familiar.
Visa. Approved test. Level. Practice.
Questions? Get in touch