What is IELTS for UKVI Life Skills?

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills is a test for those who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills to acquire a UK VISA, and is available at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels A1 and B1.

It is designed to meet the requirements of UKVI for certain visa categories and other immigration purposes.

• IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1: If you are applying for a ‘family of a settled person’ visa

• IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1: If you are applying for a ‘indefinite leave to remain or citizenship' visa

There is no restriction on how many times you take the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test, however, if you pass the test once, you will not be able to re-take it at the same level for a duration of two years.

Availability of IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills tests are available throughout the world, in locations specified by UKVI. The UKVI does not accept results from other testing locations. You must confirm at the time of registration that you wish to use your test result for a UK visa application, and make sure that you sit the test in an 'IELTS for UKVI' test session.

Find out if IELTS for UKVI Life Skills is available in your city

Format of the IELTS Life Skills test

The IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test is designed to meet specific immigration requirements for which applicants only need to demonstrate Speaking and Listening skills. You’ll be assessed on your everyday communication in an English speaking country, the topics may include:

• Personal experiences

• Friends and family

• Buying good

• Education, work or training

• Weather, leisure or trave

• Transport, housing, health, and more

The test is designed to evaluate your listening and speaking skills, wherein you can respond in a clear and correct way. Use this table to understand the test focus in a better way.

You take the test with another test taker and one examiner. Your own performance on both Speaking and Listening is assessed during this one session.

There is no break between speaking and listening components as you are assessed on both skills at the same time.

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills assessment criteria

A certified IELTS examiner assesses your performance throughout the Speaking and Listening test based on:

• Obtaining information

• Conveying information

• Speaking to communicate

• Engaging in discussion

Remember to give your best shot as the performance of the other test taker paired with you in the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test does not affect the assessment of your own performance.

Test results within a week

You can get your IELTS for UKVI Life Skills result within seven days of your attempt. Your TRF is sent to the postal address you mention at the time of filling up your registration form.