If you want to study in the UK or apply for professional registration, you might need to take an IELTS Academic for UKVI test. It is a Secure English Language test (SELT) approved by the UK home office for visa applications to the United Kingdom.

The Academic for UKVI test is the same as the Academic test in terms of content, format, scoring and the level of difficulty. However, the UKVI test is only available at test centres who meet the administrative requirements outlined by the UK Home Office. Your Test Report Form (TRF) will also look slightly different if you take a IELTS for UKVI test.

What is IELTS UKVI？

IELTS UKVI (IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration)

IELTS test and score required for UK visa applications

If you need an IELTS test for UK visa applications, you can only take them at a UKVI approved IELTS test centre. IDP Education Hong Kong is a UKVI approved test centre and we offer all the approved IELTS tests for UK visa applications. Before you book your test, we strongly recommend that you check with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) on the test that you will be required to submit for your application.

What’s the difference between IELTS and IELTS UKVI

IELTS and IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)are the same in content, format and scoring. However, please note that video recording is in place at registration and testing rooms including the speaking test and Test Report Forms will provide a unique UKVI number due to visa requirement for IELTS UKVI.

UKVI approved IELTS tests for different UK Visas:

IELTS UKVI (Academic)

Students who would like to study a pre-sessional or foundation program, applying for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 Visa, would need to take a UKVI approved IELTS for UKVI test.

Students who would like to study for a study for a bachelor or postgraduate degree, applying for a Student route visa, are required to meet the English language level set by the institution. With Student route applications you do not need to take the IELTS test under UKVI specified conditions, unless your institution requires you to do so.

IELTS UKVI (General Training)

Those who would like to migrate to the UK or study programs that are below degree level, applying for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 visa, would need to take a UKVI approved IELTS UKVI test.

Please check with the institution that you are applying to for their admission requirement. For more please visit the UK government website.

>>>More on IELTS on Paper or Computer

IELTS Life Skills A1 & A2

Those who would like to migrate to the UK, applying for ‘family of a settled person’ visa, would need to take a UKVI approved IELTS Life Skills A1 or A2 test.

IELTS Life Skills B1

Those who would like to migrate to the UK, applying for indefinite leave to remain or citizenship, would need to take a UKVI approved IELTS Life Skills B1.

>>> Latest IELTS UKVI Test Date and how to register

IELTS score for different UK Visas:

Both Academic and General Training are accepted. The CEFR requirement for each skill must be met. IELTS is accepted by UKVI at band scores 4.0 and above, equivalent to CEFR level B1. Universities on UKVI’s list of Student route Sponsors decide which exams to accept when a SELT is not required, and these may include IELTS taken at any of the 1000+ IELTS test locations. IELTS can be used where IELTS Life Skills is used; candidates would need to get 4.0 or above in Speaking and Listening (scores for Reading and Writing will be ignored). Currently, UKVI will also accept an Ofqual regulated test for this category. The test must cover Speaking and Listening at B1 level. Please note that these changes do not affect the use of IELTS by people from the European Union, European Economic Area, Switzerland and 'majority English speaking countries' as defined by the UK Home Office (https://www.gov.uk/english-language).

*For most updated information, please refer to official UK government website