IELTS tests for UK Visas and Immigration

British citizenship

• Minimum CEFR level required: B1
• Components: Listening and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
• GOV.UK: British citizenship overview

Indefinite leave to remain (UK family)

• Minimum CEFR level required: B1
• Components: Listening and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
• GOV.UK: Indefinite leave to remain (UK family) overview

Family route

• Minimum CEFR level required: A1
• Components: Listening and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 – Pass
• GOV.UK: Indefinite leave to remain (UK family) overview

Family visa 

• Minimum CEFR level required: A1 (first application), A2 (when extending permission to stay), B1 (for settlement)
• Components: Listening and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A2 – Pass
• GOV.UK: Family visa (extension) overview

Ancestry visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement)
• Components: Listening and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
• GOV.UK: Family visa (extension) overview 

Health and Care Worker visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: B2 (B1 for those already on the route before 8 January 2026 and merely extending existing permission to stay)
• Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 4.0 in each of the four components
• GOV.UK: Health and Care Worker visa overview

International Sportsperson visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: A1
• Components: Listening and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 – Pass
• GOV.UK: International Sportsperson visa overview

Minister of Religion visa (T2)

• Minimum CEFR level required: B2
• Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components
• GOV.UK: Minister of Religion visa (T2) overview

Representative of an Overseas Business visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: A1
• Components: Listening and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 – Pass
• GOV.UK: Representative of an Overseas Business visa overview

Skilled Worker visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: B2 (B1 for those already on the route before 8 January 2026 and merely extending existing permission to stay)
• Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components
• GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa overview

Scale-up Worker visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: B2 (B1 for those already on the route before 8 January 2026 and merely extending existing permission to stay)
• Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components
• GOV.UK: Scale-up Worker visa overview

If you're studying with a Higher Education Provider, please check the guidelines at GOV.UK: Student visa overview below.

Student visa

Below degree level

• Minimum CEFR level required: B1
• Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 4.0 in each of the four components
• GOV.UK: Student visa overview

Degree level or above

• Minimum CEFR level required: Equivalent to B2
• Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS or IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components
• GOV.UK: Student visa overview

Graduate visa

• No requirement

Innovator Founder visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: B2
• Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components
• GOV.UK: Innovator Founder visa overview

High Potential Individual (HPI) visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: B2 (for all new applicants, effective from 8 January 2026)
• Components: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI – Must achieve a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four components
• GOV.UK: High Potential Individual visa overview

Global Talent visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement only)
• Components: Listening and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
• GOV.UK: Global Talent visa overview

Domestic Workers visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement only)
• Components: Listening and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
• GOV.UK: Overseas Domestic Workers visa overview

Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement only)
• Components: Listening and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
• GOV.UK: British Nationals Overseas visa overview

Private Life visa

• Minimum CEFR level required: B1 (for settlement only)
• Components: Listening and Speaking
• Test and minimum scores required: IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – Pass
• GOV.UK: Private Life visa overview