Immigration Series: All about the UK’s English Language Test (SELT) for visa or citizenship applications

An English language test is mandatory for all visa and citizenship applications for the United Kingdom. (Photo via Unsplash)

An English language test is mandatory for all visa and citizenship applications for the United Kingdom. All applicants (including international students) will have to take the SELT (Secure English Language Tests) to prove their English language skills. Applicants have to take a ‘SELT’ proficiency test to determine their score.

However, SELT is not the same for all immigration routes – there are two types of test as different immigration routes require different levels of English language ability. Known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level, the test level will depend on the chosen immigration route.

Test Type 1: For the following application routes, the applicant will have to take a test that assesses their reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities:

·      Health and Care Worker

·      High Potential Individual

·      Innovator Founder

·      Minister of Religion

·      Scale-up Worker

·      Skilled Worker

·      Start-up

·      Student

Test Type 2: For the following application routes, the applicant will need to take a test that assesses their spoken and listening abilities:

·      Citizenship

·      International Sportsperson

·      Parent

·      Partner

·      Representative of an Overseas Business

·      settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain)

Approved test providers

If you are in the UK: You can only take a SELT with one of the following providers:

·      Trinity College London

·      IELTS SELT Consortium

·      LanguageCert

·      Pearson

If you are outside of the UK: You can only take a SELT with one of the following providers:

·      PSI Services (UK) Ltd - Skills for English (UKVI)

·      IELTS SELT Consortium

·      LanguageCert

·      Pearson

Find an approved test:  It is for the applicant to decide which test to take. The list of approved tests gives the CEFR level and minimum grade requirements for each level – where two or more components (reading, writing, speaking and listening) of a test are examined and awarded together, for example, a combined examination and certificate for reading and writing skills, you must show that you achieved the required scores in all the relevant components during a single sitting of that examination, unless you were exempt from sitting a component on the basis of a disability.

For the results to be accepted, the test must: 

·      be on the list of approved English language tests have been sat at an approved test location

·      have been awarded in the two years before the date of your application

·      The list of approved English language tests has been assessed as meeting Home Office requirements under the secure English language testing arrangements. Only those tests and test levels specified are approved.

·      If you intend to use an English language test in your immigration or nationality application, you must take one of the tests on the list.

You should make sure the test that you book is the one approved for SELT:

·      Pearson: ‘PTE Academic UKVI’ or ‘PTE Home’

·      PSI Services: ‘Skills for English UKVI’

·      Trinity College London: ‘Secure English Language Tests for UKVI’ – Integrated Skills in English (ISE) or Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE)

·      IELTS SELT Consortium: ‘IELTS for UKVI’ or ‘IELTS Life Skills’

·      LanguageCert: ‘LanguageCert International ESOL SELT’

How to book an English language test: You should be able to take a test within 28 days of booking. The details used to book the test must be the same as on your passport or other identity document. If your surname has changed, you will still need to book the test in the name on your passport or identity document. If you wish to book your test using your changed surname, you must change the name in your passport or identity document before booking your test.

If you took a test in the UK, you can use your result for UK and overseas applications. You can also use tests taken overseas for applications made in the UK.

Test results are valid for 2 years from the date the test is awarded.

If you are in the UK: To find test dates and book the test, go to the website of the provider offering the test you plan to take:

·      Trinity College London (www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/SELT/UKVI)

·      IELTS SELT Consortium (www.ielts.org)

·      LanguageCert (selt.languagecert.org)

·      Pearson (pearsonpte.com)

If you are outside of the UK: To find test dates and book your test, go to the website of the provider offering the test you plan to take:

·      PSI Services (UK) Ltd (www.skillsforenglish. com)

·      IELTS SELT Consortium (www.ielts.org)

·      LanguageCert (selt.languagecert. org)

·      Pearson (pearsonpte.com)

Prove your identity on the day of the test 

You will need to provide evidence of your identity at the test location before you can take the test.

Your identity document must:

·      be current and valid

·      be an original, not a photocopy

·      include a photo of you

·      match the information you gave when you booked the test.

·      If your identity document has a signature, this will also be checked.

·      The details used to book your test must match the document you provide at the test location.

·      If you are not able to prove your identity, you will not be allowed to take a test.

Acceptable documents 

Your name must be on the document. Emergency travel documents will not be accepted as proof of identity. You can use the following documents as identification for tests taken in the UK and outside the UK.

·      Passport

·      UK Biometric Residence Permit

·      UK Biometric Residence Card

·      convention travel document

·      stateless persons travel document

After the test 

After you pass the test, you will be given a SELT unique reference number which you must use when making your application. If you do not include your reference number, your application may be refused.

You will find your SELT unique reference number on your test result as:

·      ‘UER’ for Trinity College London tests

·      ‘UKVI number’ for IELTS SELT Consortium tests ‘Candidate URN’ for LanguageCert tests

·      ‘SELT URN’ for Pearson tests

·      ‘URN’ for PSI Skills for English tests

You do not need to submit any documents as part of the immigration or nationality application. Test results and scores are checked using the SELT online verification system provided by each approved SELT test provider using a SELT unique reference number.