IELTS UKVI:
Achieve Your Goals with a Trusted English Proficiency Test
Prepare, Practice, and Succeed with Confidence.
IELTS UKVI: Achieve Your Goals with a Trusted English Proficiency Test.
Prepare, Practice, and Succeed with Confidence.
IELTS UKVI
Did you know that more than 4 million people take the IELTS test annually? In this regard, the IELTS UKVI test is explicitly for people applying for visas. But what is UKVI IELTS?
UK Visas and Immigration agrees with the IELTS UKVI test scores to rank candidates eligible for visas. Understanding the details of IELTS for UKVI is essential if you want to move to the UK, whether you're a student, worker, or family member.
Let’s discuss what IELTS UKVI means, the different kinds of tests it offers, how to sign up for them, and other things.
What is IELTS for UKVI?
UKVI IELTS full form is International English Language Testing System for UK Visas and Immigration. A Secure English Language Test (SELT) that the UK Home Office accepts as a demonstration of English proficiency is what IELTS for UKVI means. People who must show they can speak and understand English sufficiently to apply for a UK visa take this test.
If you want to take the IELTS UKVI test instead of the regular IELTS test, you have to follow strict security rules. The test is still the same in content and structure, but IELTS UKVI is held in approved test centres and uses more robust invigilation methods. UKVI will accept this test as proof that you can speak and understand English for visa reasons.
IELTS UKVI Test Types
IELTS UKVI has different types of tests for different types of visa applications:
- IELTS UKVI Academic: This test is for people who want to go to college or become a worker in the UK.
- IELTS for UKVI General Training: This test is for people moving to the UK to attend college, get work experience, or start a training program.
- Life Skills: People who must show they can speak and listen at CEFR Level A1 should take this test. Or B1 for certain types of visas, like the family of a settled person visa.
Here are some more details:
- Academic IELTS for UKVI
In the UK, getting into college and registering for some jobs requires proper English-speaking knowledge.The IELTS UKVI Academic test checks whether a person is ready to start training or learning in an English-speaking setting.
This test checks how well you know English to do well in school. Reading and understanding academic books and writing articles and reports are significant parts of the test. It also means understanding and listening to academic talks and chats.
- General Training IELTS for UKVI
People who want to move to the UK for a job, study, or secondary school should take the IELTS UKVI General Training test. This form of the test aims to measure everyday English skills that people will need in social and professional settings.
The academic version tests high-level language skills, but this version doesn't focus as much on those skills. It is more about the basic skills candidates need to get by in various social and work settings.
- Life Skills IELTS for UKVI
The Life Skills IELTS for UKVI test checks how well a person speaks and understands English. It focuses on how to talk to people in everyday situations. You will talk to a supervisor and another test-taker in person for the Life Skills test.
Anyone who needs to show they can speak and understand English at CEFR Level A1 or B1 should take it. Most of the time, you need the A1 level to apply for a family visa. For applications for citizenship or extended leave to stay, you need to have the B1 level.
Registration, Dates, and Fees for IELTS UKVI Test 2024
The process of signing up for the UKVI IELTS test is easy. These are the steps:
- Visit the Official Website: Visit the IELTS website and choose the type of IELTS UKVI test you need.
- Choose a Test Location: After seeing the list of test centres, choose one.
- Select a Date: Pick an appropriate test date from the choices given.
- Fill in the Application Form: Fill out the required information about yourself and upload a legal ID.
- Pay the UKVI IELTS Exam Fees: Pay the UKVI IELTS fees online to finish the application process.
Here are the key IELTS UKVI test dates and fees for the IELTS UKVI test 2024:
Test Type |
IELTS UKVI Exam Fee |
Key UKVI IELTS Dates |
Academic |
£157.36/₹17,000 |
July 10, August 15, September 20, October 12, November 18, December 5 |
General Training |
£159.68/₹17,250 |
July 24, August 28, September 17, October 10, November 22, December 14 |
Life Skills |
£148.57/₹16,050 |
July 12, August 22, September 14, October 8, November 16, December 9 |
Signing up early is best to ensure you get the test date and place you want. The IELTS UKVI exam fee for tests varies based on type and area. So, checking the official IELTS page for the most up-to-date information is essential.
UKVI IELTS Test Location
There are many official test centres worldwide where you can take the IELTS UKVI. There are often more than one test centres in big cities. They give you the freedom to pick a place that works for you. Here are some well-known test centres:
● London, UK
● New York, USA
● Sydney, Australia
● Mumbai, India
● Beijing, China
Booking your test early is essential because popular slots can fill up quickly. For easy registration, ensure you have a legal ID and a way to pay ready. To feel less stressed on the test day, pick a test centre that is easy to get to and one you are familiar with.
IELTS for UKVI Exams
The structure of the UKVI IELTS exam is the same as that of the regular IELTS test, but extra safety measures are in place. A description of the test style follows:
1. Listening
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Format: Four sections with 40 questions
- Content: Conversations and monologues in various contexts
The listening part checks how well you can understand spoken English in different settings. Some examples are academic talks, conversations, and public statements.
2. Reading
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Format: Three sections with 40 questions
- Content: Texts ranging from factual information to analytical discourse
The reading part tests how well you can read and understand different texts. Some of these are critical, factual, and detailed. The texts are present in newspapers, books, magazines, and blogs. You'll read more challenging materials for the IELTS UKVI Academic test, while for the General Training test, you'll read more common books.
3. Writing
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Format: Two tasks
- Task 1: Describe visual information (Academic) or write a letter (General Training)
- Task 2: Answer a point of view or case with an essay.
The writing part tests how well you can organise your ideas, make your case, and use the right words. In the first part of the Academic test, Task 1, you must discuss graphs or charts showing facts. Task 1 of the IELTS UKVI General Training test is to write a letter about a particular case. Task 2 asks you to write an essay on a particular subject in both tests.
4. Speaking
- Duration: 11-14 minutes
- Format: Face-to-face interview with an examiner
- Content: General questions, individual long turns, and discussion
The speaking part checks how well you can talk to people in English. It has three sections and includes a face-to-face discussion with an examiner. There will be an introduction and conversation, a long turn where you talk about a particular subject and a chat about that subject. This part checks your speed, clarity, speech, and how well you use language and words.
Each part tests a different area of your English skills, and you need to study hard to get a good score. You can find the IELTS UKVI practice test and UKVI IELTS sample test PDF on the official IELTS website and other trustworthy sites.
IELTS Test vs IELTS UKVI Test
The topic and structure of the IELTS and IELTS UKVI tests are the same. Their governance and goals are very different, though. Here's a comparison of the difference between IELTS and IELTS UKVI:
Feature |
IELTS |
IELTS UKVI |
Purpose |
General use (study, work) |
UK visa applications |
Security Protocols |
Standard |
Enhanced for UKVI requirements |
Test Centers |
Global |
Designated UKVI centres |
Acceptance |
Worldwide |
Specific to UK visa applications |
Knowing these changes is essential if you want to choose the proper test for your needs. With IELTS for UKVI, you can ensure that you meet the standards for UK Visas and Immigration.
IELTS Test Requirements for UKVI Visas
There are different English language standards for each UKVI visa. To get each type of visa, you need to get a specific minimum IELTS score:
Visa Type |
Minimum Score Required |
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) |
Overall 4.0 |
Tier 2 (General) |
Overall 4.0 |
Tier 4 (Student) - Degree Level |
Overall 5.5 |
Family of a Settled Person |
Life Skills A1/B1 |
Indefinite Leave to Remain or Citizenship |
Life Skills B1 |
Meeting these standards is significant for getting a visa. Always check the official UKVI page for the most up-to-date information. When you see these scores, remember that they are the bare minimum. You will usually need higher scores for some courses or colleges. You can use an IELTS UKVI band score calculator to check the figures.
Takeaway
IELTS UKVI is a customised form of the IELTS test. To ensure a good score, you must know the difference between IELTS vs IELTS UKVI. You can get the scores you want and meet the standards for your visa if you study well and know about the different types of tests, how to register, and where the tests are given.
Aspiring students who want to study abroad, especially with our partner universities, can choose to take the UKVI IELTS test. Contact AECC right away to find out more and get help with your plans to study abroad.