Visa Requirements – Foreign Student Services

SELT exams for UK visa applications

Applicants may be required to take a 2-skills (Speaking & Listening) or 4-skills (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking) SELT exam. All LanguageCert SELT exams are delivered through our global network of SELT Centres.

The minimum Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level required varies depending on visa type. Applicants with a higher language level can take an exam above the minimum requirement as long as it assesses the same skills that also satisfy the visa application.

Visa requirement information is subject to change. Applicants should refer to UK Government guidance on English language exams for visas and are responsible for ensuring they take the correct exam. Applicants applying for Study in the UK visas are advised to contact their sponsors to confirm which CEFR level they require before registering for an exam.

Below is a table outlining the minimum CEFR level and skills required for each visa type.

Application type	Minimum CEFR level	Skills required	LanguageCert SELT exam
Further Leave to Remain: Family life as a partner of a settled person (spouse/partner) Family life as a parent (parent of a dependent)	A1	Speaking & Listening	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A1 (Speaking & Listening)
Representative of an Overseas Business visa	A1	Speaking & Listening	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A1 (Speaking & Listening)
Sportsperson (long term) visa	A1	Speaking & Listening	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A1 (Speaking & Listening)
Further Leave to Remain (visa extension): Family life as a partner of a settled person (spouse/partner) Family life as a parent (parent of a dependent) A LanguageCert SELT ESOL A2 exam is required for family route Leave to Remain applications after 2.5 years in the UK.	A2	Speaking & Listening	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A2 (Speaking & Listening)
Indefinite Leave to Remain — ILR (Settlement/Permanent Residency)	B1	Speaking & Listening	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (Speaking & Listening)
British Citizenship (Naturalisation)	B1	Speaking & Listening	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (Speaking & Listening)
Skilled Worker visa (this route replaces Tier 2 General)	B1	Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking)
Skilled Work: Health and Care visa	B1	Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking)
Ministers of Religion visa	B2	Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking)
Innovator visa	B2	Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking)
Start-up visa	B2	Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking)
Student visa— below degree level	B1	Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1 (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking)
Student visa— degree level and above	B2	Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking)

Application type	Other accepted CEFR levels	Skills required	LanguageCert SELT exam
Student visa (this route replaces Tier 4)	B2	Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B2 (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking)
	C1	Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C1 (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking)
	C2	Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking	LanguageCert International ESOL SELT C2 (Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking)