Going to the UK? Demystified: IELTS for UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI)

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The United Kingdom’s rich history, cultural diversity and sophisticated lifestyle attract many Indians. The presence of Indian nationals has grown steadily in the UK year after year. According to a Statista 2021 report, this figure stood at 361,000 in the year 2020.  If you are thinking about studying, moving or working in the UK, you will have to prove your English Language proficiency through IELTS, among other things.

IN THIS BLOG:

1.   What is IELTS and what are its types?
2.   IELTS Life Skills
3.   Which IELTS should I take for migrating to the UK?
4.   Who accepts IELTS scores?
5.   Who needs IELTS for UKVI?
6.   UK Visa types: Which one should I apply for?

What is IELTS and what are its types?

IELTS is an English proficiency test taken to prove your reading, writing, speaking and understanding skills in academic or professional settings. There are two types of IELTS:

IELTS Academic: This type of IELTS is meant for those who want to pursue higher studies in the UK.

IELTS General: This type of IELTS is suitable for people who want to migrate to English-speaking countries.

Whether you choose IELTS Academic or IELTS General, you will get the same Listening and Speaking sections, but different Reading and Writing sections. Check your organization’s requirements for the type of IELTS you’re supposed to take.

IELTS Life Skills

There is another type of IELTS known as IELTS Life Skills. It is for people who need to prove their English speaking and listening skills through Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The CEFR is an international standard for defining language ability. It describes language ability on a 6-point scale, starting from A1 for beginners, up to C2 for those who have complete command of a language. It is available at three levels:

• IELTS Life Skills – A1 Speaking and Listening
• IELTS Life Skills – A2 Speaking and Listening (offered in the UK only)
• IELTS Life Skills – B1 Speaking and Listening

Which IELTS should I take for migrating to the UK?

IELTS for UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) has a number of test options available. Depending on the visa that you apply for you may take any of the following:

1. IELTS Academic for UKVI

IELTS Academic for UKVI is the same as IELTS Academic in terms of structure, content, scoring and difficulty level. The only difference is that the UKVI test is available only at test locations that meet the administrative criteria outlined by the UK Home Office. Also, your score report will vary slightly showing that you took the test at a testing center approved by the UK Home Office.

2. IELTS General Training for UKVI 

IELTS General for UKVI is the same as IELTS General in terms of structure, content, scoring and difficulty level. Again, the only difference between IELTS General for UKVI and IELTS General is that the former has been approved by the UK Home Office.

3. IELTS Life Skills A1 

This test is meant for proving your English speaking and listening skills. If you want to migrate to the UK as ‘family of a settled person’ you need to take this test as a part of your application to get a UK visa.

4. IELTS Life Skills A2

If you are applying to UK Visas and Immigration for extension of ‘family of settled person’ visa, you should take this IELTS. Naturally, this is meant for people already staying in the UK.

5. IELTS Life Skills B1

This test is used for proving your English speaking and listening skills when you apply to UK Visas and Immigration for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship.

Who accepts IELTS scores?

IELTS is the world’s most preferred English language test for higher studies and for migration purposes. It is offered in over 140 countries and taken by approximately three million people each year. More than 11,000 institutions, employers, government organisations and migration programs around the world recognise and accept IELTS scores.

Who needs IELTS for UKVI?

IELTS and IELTS Life Skills are on the list of UK Home Office’s Secure English Language Tests (often referred to as SELT tests) as recognized English language qualifications required for each category of UK visa applications. If you want visa for immigration purposes because you want to work in the UK, you may need to take IELTS for UKVI. If you want to study in the UK, generally speaking, you will not need IELTS for UKVI; just taking IELTS Academic will suffice.

UK Visa types: Which one should I apply for?

The following table will give you an idea of which IELTS you should take as per your visa type and what should be your minimum score.

(Source: IDP IELTS INDIA)

Remember, that these are minimum scores required. Your institution or organization may have specific score requirements and you will need to take these into account.

Still have questions about UK visa or IELTS preparation? At Jamboree, we have been helping students clear the IELTS and move to the UK for the past 28+ years. Connect with our expert counselors for a 15-minute free profile evaluation session now!

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