What is IELTS for UKVI?

Here’s all you need to know all about the UK Visa and Immigration approved IELTS

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test meant for anyone who wants to pursue an academic or professional career internationally. It includes IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

owever, if you are applying for a UK visa, you need to take an IELTS test approved for UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) purposes known as IELTS for UKVI. This applies to everyone coming from a non-English speaking country.

While there is no change in the content, format or level of difficulty and scoring, IELTS for UKVI simply follows certain extra security protocols to ensure the authenticity of the test taker. Also, your Test Report Form (TRF) may look slightly different from the one give for IELTS Academic or General Training.

What is IELTS Life Skills?

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

Where can I take IELTS Life Skills test?

IELTS 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.

What is the format of the IELTS Life Skills test?

The IELTS Life Skills test is designed to meet specific immigration requirements for which applicants only need to demonstrate Speaking and Listening skills.

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.

How is IELTS Life Skills assessed?

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

1.  Obtaining information
2.  Conveying information
3.  Speaking to communicate
4.  Engaging in discussion

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

Test results within a week

You can get your IELTS Life Skills result within seven days of your attempt. Though your IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills are not available online, your TRF is sent to the postal address you mentioned at the time of filling up your  application/registration form.