Understanding the spouse visa English requirement is essential for joining your partner in the UK. This comprehensive guide covers the English test for spouse visa applications at each stage—from the A1 English test for UK spouse visa initial entry, the A2 English test for spouse visa extension after 2.5 years, to the B1 English test required for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). You'll learn which Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) are approved by UKVI, including IELTS for UK visa applications, current test fees (approximately £150-170), exemptions that may apply, and practical tips for passing the IELTS Life Skills and Trinity GESE examinations.
English Language Requirement for UK Spouse Visa 2026
The English language requirement for UK spouse visa is a fundamental part of the family visa application process. Under the Immigration Rules, applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency at progressively higher levels as they move through the spouse visa route toward settlement.
What English Test is Required for UK Spouse Visa?
The English test for UK spouse visa depends on your application stage: A1 level for initial entry, A2 level for extension after 2.5 years, and B1 level for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Only Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) from UKVI-approved providers are accepted—these assess speaking and listening skills only. The most common tests are IELTS Life Skills and Trinity College GESE.
The spouse visa English test requirements increase at each stage of your journey, reflecting the expectation that your English will improve during your time in the UK. Here's an overview of the requirements:
A1 English Test for UK Spouse Visa
The A1 English test for UK spouse visa assesses basic speaking and listening skills at CEFR Level A1—the most elementary level. Applicants must demonstrate they can understand and use familiar everyday expressions and basic phrases. The IELTS Life Skills A1 test lasts 16-18 minutes and costs approximately £150-170. Results are typically available within 7 days.
The A1 level represents "breakthrough" English—enough to handle very basic interactions. At this level, you should be able to introduce yourself, ask and answer simple questions about personal details (where you live, people you know, things you have), and interact in a simple way provided the other person speaks slowly and clearly.
What to Expect in the A1 English Test
The IELTS Life Skills A1 test is conducted face-to-face with an examiner and one other candidate. You will be asked to:
- Listen to short recordings: Answer questions about everyday topics like travel, shopping, or appointments
- Speak with the examiner: Respond to simple questions about yourself and your life
- Interact with another candidate: Have a brief conversation on a given topic
- Duration: 16-18 minutes total
The test does NOT assess reading or writing—only speaking and listening. You will receive a pass or fail result; there is no score or grade. For preparation resources, visit the official IELTS Life Skills page.
A2 English Test for Spouse Visa Extension: UK Requirements
The A2 English test for spouse visa extension is required when applying for Further Leave to Remain (FLR(M)) after your initial 2.5 or 3-year grant. This test assesses whether your English has improved during your time in the UK. The A2 level requires understanding sentences and frequently used expressions related to everyday life, and communicating in routine situations.
The spouse visa extension UK English requirements represent the second stage of the language progression. When you apply for your spouse visa extension, you must demonstrate English proficiency at A2 level—unless you previously passed at A2 or higher, or qualify for an exemption. The A2 level is described as "waystage" or elementary English.
Which English Test is Required for UK Spouse Visa Extension?
For your spouse visa extension, you can take any of the following A2 level tests:
- IELTS Life Skills A2: 20 minutes, approximately £150-170
- Trinity GESE Grade 3: 7 minutes, approximately £150
- LanguageCert SELT A2: Speaking and listening assessment
- PSI Skills for English A2: UKVI-approved provider
B1 English Test for ILR Spouse Visa
The B1 English test for ILR spouse visa is required when applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years on the spouse route. B1 is "threshold" or intermediate English—you must understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters and deal with most situations while travelling. For settlement applications, B1 tests must be taken at UK-based SELT centres only.
The B1 level represents a significant step up from A2. At this level, you should be able to produce simple connected text, describe experiences and events, and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
ILR Spouse Visa English Requirement Details
When applying for ILR through the spouse visa route, you must meet TWO requirements:
- B1 English Test: Pass IELTS Life Skills B1 or Trinity GESE Grade 5 (speaking and listening)
- Life in the UK Test: Pass the citizenship knowledge test (24 questions, 75% pass mark, £50 fee)
Important: For settlement and naturalisation applications, B1 tests must be taken at approved SELT centres within the UK. Overseas test centres are not accepted for ILR applications.
Approved SELT Tests for Spouse Visa English Requirements
Only Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) from UKVI-approved providers are accepted for spouse visa applications. Taking a non-approved test—even a standard IELTS Academic or General test—will result in your English language evidence being rejected.
IELTS for UK Spouse Visa
The IELTS SELT Consortium offers two test types for spouse visa applications:
For spouse visa purposes, IELTS Life Skills is recommended as it only tests speaking and listening—the skills required by UKVI. The IELTS for UKVI (4 skills) test is typically unnecessary unless you need English evidence for other purposes, such as employment.
Other Approved SELT Providers
All test results are valid for 2 years from the test date. However, if you used a valid test certificate in a previous successful visa application, you can continue to reuse it even after it expires—as long as the certificate has not been withdrawn by the test provider.
Spouse Visa English Requirement Exemptions
You may be exempt from the spouse visa English requirement if you are: a national of a majority English-speaking country, over 65 years old, under 18, have a physical or mental condition preventing you from meeting the requirement, or hold an academic qualification taught or researched in English equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or higher (verified by Ecctis).
Majority English-Speaking Countries
Nationals of the following countries are automatically exempt from the spouse visa English test requirement:
- Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, USA
- Europe: Republic of Ireland
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
Academic Qualification Exemption
If you hold a degree or equivalent qualification that was taught or researched in English, you may be exempt. Requirements:
- UK degrees: Provide your degree certificate
- Overseas degrees: Must obtain an Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) statement confirming equivalency and that it was taught in English
- Ecctis fees: Statement of comparability £49.50, Visa and nationality statement £140-175
Other Exemptions
- Age exemption: Applicants aged 65 or over, or under 18
- Medical exemption: Physical or mental condition preventing you from meeting the requirement (requires detailed medical evidence)
- Previous exemption: If you were granted an exemption for a previous application, you may need to pass the test for future applications unless the exemption still applies
For full details on document requirements for your spouse visa application, see our guide on spouse visa supporting documents.
- Initial spouse visa requires A1, extension requires A2, ILR requires B1
- Only UKVI-approved SELT tests are accepted—standard IELTS is NOT valid
- Pass at a higher level initially to reuse the same result throughout your journey
- Test results valid 2 years, but can be reused if used in a successful previous application
- B1 tests for ILR must be taken at UK-based SELT centres only
- Nationals of majority English-speaking countries are exempt
For official guidance on English language requirements, visit the gov.uk Knowledge of English page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What English test is required for UK spouse visa?
A Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR Level A1 in speaking and listening is required for the initial UK spouse visa. The most common tests are IELTS Life Skills A1 and Trinity GESE Grade 2. Only tests from UKVI-approved providers taken at designated SELT centres are accepted—standard IELTS Academic or General tests are not valid for spouse visa purposes.
Which English test is required for UK spouse visa extension?
For a spouse visa extension (FLR(M)) after 2.5 years, you need to pass an approved SELT at CEFR Level A2. Common options include IELTS Life Skills A2 or Trinity GESE Grade 3. However, if you passed at A2 or higher for your initial application, you can reuse that result even if it has expired—as long as the certificate has not been withdrawn.
What is the B1 English test for ILR spouse visa?
The B1 English test for ILR spouse visa is IELTS Life Skills B1 or Trinity GESE Grade 5. You must also pass the Life in the UK test. For settlement applications, B1 tests must be taken at SELT centres within the UK—overseas test results are not accepted for ILR. The test costs approximately £150-170 and lasts around 22 minutes.
How long is the English test valid for spouse visa?
English test results are valid for 2 years from the test date. However, if you used a valid test certificate in a previous successful visa application, you can continue to reuse it for future applications—even after it has expired—as long as the certificate has not been withdrawn by the test provider. This means passing at B1 initially can cover your entire 5-year route.
Is IELTS required for UK spouse visa?
IELTS Life Skills (not standard IELTS) is one of the accepted tests for UK spouse visa, but it is not the only option. Alternatives include Trinity College GESE, LanguageCert SELT, PSI Skills for English, and Pearson PTE UKVI. You may also be exempt if you are from a majority English-speaking country, over 65, or hold an English-taught degree.
What countries are exempt from spouse visa English requirement?
Nationals of the following majority English-speaking countries are exempt: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the USA. You simply need to provide your passport as evidence.
How much does the spouse visa English test cost?
Spouse visa English test fees typically range from £150-170 depending on the provider and location. IELTS Life Skills costs approximately £150-170, Trinity GESE costs around £150, and LanguageCert SELT costs £150-180. The 4-skills IELTS for UKVI test costs more (£240-250) but is generally unnecessary for spouse visa applications which only require speaking and listening assessment.
Can I use my degree to meet the spouse visa English requirement?
Yes, if your degree was taught or researched in English and is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or higher, you may be exempt from the English test. For UK degrees, provide your certificate. For overseas degrees, you must obtain an Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) statement confirming the equivalency and that it was taught in English. Ecctis fees range from £49.50 to £175 depending on the statement type.