⚠️ Important: Always use the correct version of each exam for UK visa purposes. For example, regular IELTS is NOT accepted — you must take IELTS for UKVI. Using the wrong version will result in automatic refusal. Verify current requirements at gov.uk/ukvi-approved-english-language-tests.
Quick Reference — Which exam do you need?
Find your visa type and see which exams are required
| Visa Type | English Language Exam | Level Required | Other Exams |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker Visa | IELTS for UKVI Academic or General | B1 minimum | None (unless healthcare) |
| Health and Care Worker Visa (Nurse) | IELTS for UKVI or OET Grade B | B1+ / OET Grade B | NMC CBT + OSCE |
| Health and Care Worker Visa (Doctor) | IELTS for UKVI or OET Grade B | B2 / OET Grade B | PLAB 1 + PLAB 2 |
| Health and Care Worker (Pharmacist) | IELTS for UKVI or OET | B1+ | OSPAP |
| Student Visa | IELTS for UKVI Academic | B2 (IELTS 5.5+) | None |
| Spouse / Partner Visa | IELTS Life Skills A1 or equivalent SELT | A1 Speaking & Listening | None |
| ILR (after Skilled Worker) | IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills B1 | B1 Speaking & Listening | Life in UK Test |
| ILR (Family route) | IELTS Life Skills B1 or equivalent SELT | B1 Speaking & Listening | Life in UK Test |
| British Citizenship | IELTS for UKVI or equivalent (B1+) | B1 minimum | Life in UK Test |
| Graduate Visa | Not required (covered by Student visa) | — | None |
| Standard Visitor Visa | Not required | — | None |
🗣️ English Language Tests (SELT — Secure English Language Tests)
Required for most UK visas
IELTS for UKVI Academic
Students, researchers, some professional visas
Format
Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking
Duration
2 hours 45 minutes
Score
Band 0-9 (visa requires 5.5-7.0+)
Valid for
2 years
Who needs it: Student visa applicants. Must be IELTS for UKVI version — regular IELTS is NOT accepted. Minimum band varies by institution (usually 5.5-6.5).
IELTS for UKVI General Training
Skilled Workers, family visas, settlement routes
Format
Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking
Duration
2 hours 45 minutes
Score
Band 4.0-9.0 (visa requires B1 = 4.0+)
Valid for
2 years
Who needs it: Skilled Worker visa applicants (B1 in all 4 components). Must be taken at a UKVI-approved test centre.
IELTS Life Skills A1
Spouse / Partner visa applicants
Format
Speaking & Listening ONLY
Duration
22 minutes
Level
A1 CEFR
Valid for
2 years
Who needs it: Spouse, civil partner and unmarried partner visa applicants coming to join a UK-settled person. Tests only Speaking and Listening at A1 level.
IELTS Life Skills B1
ILR and British citizenship applicants
Format
Speaking & Listening ONLY
Duration
22 minutes
Level
B1 CEFR
Valid for
2 years
Who needs it: ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) and British citizenship applicants who need to demonstrate B1 level English in Speaking and Listening.
OET — Occupational English Test
Nurses, doctors, pharmacists, dentists, allied health
Format
Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking
Duration
~3 hours
Score
Grade A-E (NMC requires Grade B)
Valid for
2 years
Who needs it: Healthcare professionals. NMC requires Grade B in all 4 components. GMC accepts OET. Specifically designed for healthcare settings — more relevant than IELTS for clinical staff.
Pearson PTE Academic UKVI
Students, Skilled Workers — computer-based alternative
Format
Computer-based: all 4 skills
Duration
~3 hours
Score
10-90 (varies by visa)
Valid for
2 years
Who needs it: An alternative to IELTS for UKVI. Results are typically faster (within 5 business days). Must be the UKVI version — not the standard PTE Academic.
LanguageCert SELT A1 & B1
Spouse visa (A1) or ILR/citizenship (B1)
Format
Speaking & Listening only
Duration
~25 minutes
Levels
A1 or B1 CEFR
Valid for
2 years
Who needs it: An approved SELT alternative to IELTS Life Skills. Used for Spouse/Partner visa (A1) or ILR/citizenship (B1). Often available with quicker booking slots.
Trinity College GESE / ISE
Spouse visa (Grade 2/A1) or ILR (Grade 5/B1)
Format
Speaking exam only
Duration
10-12 minutes
Levels
GESE Grade 2 (A1) or Grade 5 (B1)
Valid for
2 years
Who needs it: Another approved SELT option. GESE Grade 2 for Spouse/Partner visa (A1 speaking) or GESE Grade 5 for ILR/citizenship (B1 speaking). Speaking focus makes it suitable for confident speakers.
🏥 Professional Registration Exams
Required before your visa can be processed (healthcare workers)
NMC CBT — Computer Based Test
International nurses applying to register with NMC
Format
100 multiple choice questions
Duration
3 hours
Pass mark
80% (80/100 correct)
Provider
Pearson VUE
Topics: Nursing practice, safe practice, professional and ethical practice. Must pass before OSCE stage. Available in UK and select overseas centres.
NMC OSCE — Objective Structured Clinical Examination
International nurses (after passing CBT)
Format
Clinical skills stations
Duration
Varies by provider
Pass mark
Competency-based assessment
Provider
Approved OSCE providers
Topics: Clinical skills, patient communication, medicines management, infection control. Must pass CBT first. Takes place at approved OSCE centres in the UK.
PLAB 1 — Professional and Linguistic Assessment
International doctors registering with GMC
Format
180 single best answer MCQs
Duration
3 hours
Pass mark
Set each sitting (~71%)
Provider
GMC / Pearson VUE
Topics: Clinical knowledge across all major specialties. Questions based on UK clinical practice guidelines. Can be taken overseas at Pearson VUE centres.
PLAB 2 — Clinical Skills Assessment
International doctors (after passing PLAB 1)
Format
18 OSCE stations
Duration
~3h 20min
Pass mark
Competency-based
Location
GMC Clinical Assessment Centre Manchester
Topics: Patient history, physical examination, communication skills, clinical management. Must be taken in Manchester. Requires PLAB 1 pass first.
OSPAP — Overseas Pharmacists Assessment Programme
Overseas pharmacists registering with GPhC
Format
MCQ examination
Duration
3 hours
Pass mark
~70%
Provider
GPhC approved universities
Topics: Pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy practice, clinical pharmacy, medicines management. One-year programme at approved UK universities before registration.
ORE — Overseas Registration Examination (Dentistry)
Overseas dentists registering with GDC
Format
Part 1 (written) + Part 2 (clinical)
Duration
Part 1: 3h | Part 2: varies
Pass mark
~60%
Provider
King's College London
Part 1: Written examination covering dental sciences and clinical dentistry. Part 2: Clinical examination with patients. Must pass Part 1 before attempting Part 2.
HCPC — Health and Care Professions Council Registration
Allied health professionals (physiotherapists, OTs, radiographers, paramedics etc.)
Format
Assessment of training equivalence
Duration
Varies (months process)
Assessment
Aptitude test if needed
Provider
HCPC
Professions: Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiography, Speech & Language Therapy, Paramedics, Dietetics, Podiatry and more. May require aptitude test if training not fully equivalent to UK standards.
🇬🇧 Settlement & Citizenship Exams
Required for ILR and British citizenship
Life in the UK Test
ILR and British citizenship applicants
Format
24 questions from official handbook
Duration
45 minutes
Pass mark
18/24 correct (75%)
Cost
£50 per attempt
Topics: Values and principles, history of Britain, government and law, UK society and culture, work and economy. Questions drawn from the official handbook "Life in the United Kingdom: A Guide for New Residents."