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Welcome to English & Life in the UK test

We will guide you on the English options available to you to demonstrate how you will meet A1 to B2.

Life in the UK test guidance will educate you how to preapre for this test.

English


Passing English is mandatory for most visa applications and passing Life in the UK test is applying to settle/naturalise unless exempt.


The majority of visa applications will require evidence of English which can be a degree or English test certificate unless you are a holder of a passport approved as an English-speaking country. If you are a national of one of these countries, you meet the English requirements:


Antigua, Australia, Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.


If your passport is not on the above list, you must provide either:


UK qualification at Academic level will meet the English requirements. To learn more about the English rules, click here.


If you have an overseas degree taught 100% in English, you will need a ECCTIS report and a letter from the training institute that your degree was 100% taught in English. If you need to pass an English test, these are your only options:



Note: English test results are based on A1, A2, B1 or B2.


Below table is a guide to what level of English is required from Leave to Enter, Leave to Remain, Settlement and becoming British.

Application based on Work Visas

The table below will explain level of English required if you are entering, remaining in the UK or, applying to settle or naturalise.

Visa Types Leave to Enter Leave to Remain Settlement Naturalisation
Charity Worker N/A N/A X X
Creative Worker N/A N/A X X
Graduate Trainee N/A X X X
Health & Care Worker B1 B1 B1 B1
International Sportsperson A1 A1 B1 B1
Minister of Religion B2 B2 B1 B1
Religious worker N/A N/A X X
Scale-up worker B1 B1 B1 B1
Secondment worker N/A N/A X X
Senior or Specialist worker B1 B1 B1 B1
Skilled worker B2 B2 B1 B1
UK expansion worker N/A N/A X X
UK Ancestry N/A N/A B1 B1
Youth Mobility Scheme N/A N/A X X

Above list of visa types are the most common ones but if your visa is not on the list, feel free to contact us for guidance.


N/A = English not required.

X = Not permitted to apply.

Application based on Appendix FM

The table below will explain level of English required if you are entering, remaining in the UK or, applying to settle or naturalise. based on family life.



Appendix FM Leave to Enter Leave to Remain Leave to Remain Settlement Naturalisation
Spouse/Partner A1 A2 B1 B1 B1
Fiancé/Fiancée/Proposed Civil Partnership A1 A1 A2 B1 B1
Apply as a parent A1 A1 or A2* A2 B1 B1

*A1 means, you must provide evidence of English to this level regardless if applying to enter or switch from another visa category. Your visa be granted for 30 months. When you extend this visa, it be granted for a further 30 months but you must pass a A2 English test unless you acquire a degree whilst in the UK.

IF YOUR ENGLISH IS VERY GOOD, WE RECOMMEND YOU TAKE B1 ENGLISH TEST AS THIS WILL SAVE YOU MONEY AND TAKING FURTHER TESTS IN THE FUTURE.


Note: English test certificates expire after two years but if you use the test certificate under Appendix FM visa route when it was valid, the test certificate is valid until you naturalise but if you depart the UK and have to apply fro a new entry visa,

Life in the UK test


You only need to take the Life in the UK test if you are applying to settle or naturalise in the UK.

This test Once you pass this test, you never have to take the test again. To book the life in the UK test click here.


You must book your Life in the UK Test online at least 3 days in advance of your test. At present this test will cost you £50.

There are over 30 test centres across the UK. You can choose where to take your test when you book.


The test

You will have 45 minutes to answer 24 questions about British traditions and customs.


You need all of the following to book a test:

  • email address
  • debit or credit card
  • an accepted form of ID


The name you give on your test booking must be an exact match with the name on the ID you use to book the test.




Accepted forms of ID


If you have an eVisa (a digital record of your identity and immigration status), you should use a share code to book the test. You will need to sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to view your eVisa and get a share code.


If you do not have an eVisa (or cannot access it), you can use one of the following forms of ID to book the test:

  • valid passport
  • valid ID card from the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway
  • valid travel document with a photo (you cannot use an emergency travel document)
  • biometric residence permit (BRP) or biometric residence card (BRC) - your test must be no later than 18 months after the expiry date printed on the card


Note: You must use ID with a photo that looks like you.



If you have a disability


You can make special requests when you book your test, for example if you have a disability and need extra equipment or help accessing the centre.



Getting prepared


Check out below on how to obtain the material to study for the test and how to take a mock-up test.

If you feel you need more help and support, you can purchase the official life in the UK test e-Learning or simply purchase the book or audio to study.

  • Life in the UK Test

    Purchase the book/audio to help you prepare and take the test.

    Learn more >>

  • Apply for subscription

    This is the official site to learn and pass the test

    Apply>>

  • Provider 1 - Free UK mock-up test

    https://lifeintheuktests.co.uk/


    Note: It is your responsibility to ensure this provider questions are current to the test.

    Learn more>>

  • Provider 2 - Free UK mock-up test

    https://lifeintheuktests.co.uk/life-in-the-uk-test/


    Note: It is your responsibility to ensure this provider questions are current to the test.

    Learn more>>

eForms

Our law firm has been providing immigration services since 2006. We specialise in visa entry to the UK until British passport, business compliance services and cloud technology.
Apply for 30 minutes free consultation

eForms

Our law firm has been providing immigration services since 2006 and we specialise in visa entry to obtaining British passport, business compliance and cloud technology.
Apply for 30 minutes free consultation

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Test goes here


Test goes here

  • Innovator visa

    This visa route allows an overseas national to enter or switch if already in the UK if they possess an Innovative, Viable and Scalable business idea and can obtain endorsement from one of the UKVI-approved endorsing bodies.


    The visa is issued for 3 years if you can provide evidence of £50,000 to meet the financials, English at or above B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), obtain an endorsement letter and meet other criteria requirements.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Start-up visa

    This visa route allows an overseas national to enter or switch if already in the UK if they possess an Innovative, Viable and Scalable business idea and can obtain endorsement from one of the UK higher education institutions or a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs.


    The visa is issued for 2 years, and this visa cannot be extended but you can then switch to the Innovator visa route. Note: The Start-up visa does not count towards settlement unless you settle via the 10-year-long residence route.


    You cannot join a business already operating in the UK, you must provide evidence of meeting English B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), obtain an endorsement letter, and meet other criteria requirements.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Global Talent visa

    This visa route allows an overseas national to enter or switch if already in the UK if they are a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields:

    1. Academia or research
    2. Arts and culture
    3. Digital technology.

    You will need an endorsement from one of the 3 bodies listed above, no need to provide evidence of English but you will need to meet other eligibility criteria.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1)

    This visa route closed to new applicants on 29 March 2019 meaning, unless you held this visa type, you can only extend this visa.


    If you have family members, they can join you in the UK if you still have a valid visa and also extend their visa.


    If you want to apply to enter the UK as an Entrepreneur, you can now apply under the Innovator visa route.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Investor visa (Tier 1)

    This visa route closed to new applicants in February 2022 meaning, unless you held this visa type, you can only extend this visa.


    If you have family members, they can join you in the UK if you still have a valid visa and also extend their visa.


    There is no alternative visa route for investors, the only option available is the Innovator visa route.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

Sponsors Licence Key Links

An introduction for employers Register for a sponsor licence UK points-based immigration system Overseas national recruitment rules PBS equality impact assessment Immigration system what to know Skilled Worker occupations & codes Archived SOC codes Skilled Workers shortage occupations Businesses holding a sponsor license Part 1: Apply for a licence Part 2: Sponsorship general info Part 3: Sponsor duties & compliance

Popular Worker Visa Routes

Skilled worker visa Healthcare & Care Worker visa Senior or Specialist Worker visa Minister of Religion visa (T2) International Sportsperson visa Charity Worker visa Religious Worker visa Youth Mobility Scheme visa Graduate visa Innovator visa Nationals needing a visa

G4I Sponsor Licence Support

Preventing Illegal Employment Resident Labour Consideration Sponsor Licence Audit Sponsor Licence Applications Sponsor Licence Support Service Sponsor Licence Training Recruitment Cycle

Home Office Official Documents

PBS Introduction for employers Business & Future Immigration 2021 An introduction for employers The UK’s PBS Immigration System PBS Employer Factsheet PBS Immigration System Partner Pack Immigration Rules Changes Guide to becoming a licenced sponsor SL priority service request form

Sponsored Workers Guidance

Sponsor a Skilled worker Sponsor a Health & Care worker Sponsor a Senior/Specialist Worker Sponsor a MoR or Religious worker Sponsor an International Sportsperson Sponsor a Charity worker Sponsor a Secondment Worker visa

Sponsor Licence Policies

Guide 1: Introduction to the SMS Guide 2: SMS sponsorship licence Guide 3: SMS applications services Guide 8: SMS creating a CoS Guide 8a: SMS creating a CoS Guide 9: Reporting worker activity Guide 10: Misc CoS functions Guide 11: Creative Worker CoS Guide 12: Defined CoS: SMS Appendix A: Supporting Documents Appendix B: Immigration offences Appendix C: Penalties/sponsorship Appendix D: SL recordkeeping Sponsors priority circumstances from PBS sponsor compliance visits Immigration rules updates

Home Office Checks

View & prove your immigration status How to carry out a right to work check Prove right to work to an employer

Business visa routes

Innovator visa Start-up visa Global Talent visa

Other popular visas routes

Apply as an adult Student Apply as a Child Student Apply to study English in the UK Apply as a Partner or Spouse Apply as a parent Apply as a child Adult to be cared for Apply as a Standard visitor Apply for marriage visitor visa

Commonwealth & British

Apply for Right of Abode Apply for UK Ancestry British National (Overseas) visa Apply under naturalisation (Adult)

Settle in the UK

Settlement (work route) Settlement (family route) Settlement (long residence) Settlement (refugee or have HP or DL) Settlement (Returning Resident) Settlement (Served in armed serves)

Title Goes Here


Test goes here


Test goes here

  • Innovator visa

    This visa route allows an overseas national to enter or switch if already in the UK if they possess an Innovative, Viable and Scalable business idea and can obtain endorsement from one of the UKVI-approved endorsing bodies.


    The visa is issued for 3 years if you can provide evidence of £50,000 to meet the financials, English at or above B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), obtain an endorsement letter and meet other criteria requirements.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Start-up visa

    This visa route allows an overseas national to enter or switch if already in the UK if they possess an Innovative, Viable and Scalable business idea and can obtain endorsement from one of the UK higher education institutions or a business organisation with a history of supporting UK entrepreneurs.


    The visa is issued for 2 years, and this visa cannot be extended but you can then switch to the Innovator visa route. Note: The Start-up visa does not count towards settlement unless you settle via the 10-year-long residence route.


    You cannot join a business already operating in the UK, you must provide evidence of meeting English B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), obtain an endorsement letter, and meet other criteria requirements.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Global Talent visa

    This visa route allows an overseas national to enter or switch if already in the UK if they are a leader or potential leader in one of the following fields:

    1. Academia or research
    2. Arts and culture
    3. Digital technology.

    You will need an endorsement from one of the 3 bodies listed above, no need to provide evidence of English but you will need to meet other eligibility criteria.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Entrepreneur visa (Tier 1)

    This visa route closed to new applicants on 29 March 2019 meaning, unless you held this visa type, you can only extend this visa.


    If you have family members, they can join you in the UK if you still have a valid visa and also extend their visa.


    If you want to apply to enter the UK as an Entrepreneur, you can now apply under the Innovator visa route.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

  • Investor visa (Tier 1)

    This visa route closed to new applicants in February 2022 meaning, unless you held this visa type, you can only extend this visa.


    If you have family members, they can join you in the UK if you still have a valid visa and also extend their visa.


    There is no alternative visa route for investors, the only option available is the Innovator visa route.


    To find out more about this visa route click here.

Sponsors Licence Key Links

An introduction for employers Register for a sponsor licence UK points-based immigration system Overseas national recruitment rules PBS equality impact assessment Immigration system what to know Skilled Worker occupations & codes Archived SOC codes Skilled Workers shortage occupations Businesses holding a sponsor license Part 1: Apply for a licence Part 2: Sponsorship general info Part 3: Sponsor duties & compliance

Popular Worker Visa Routes

Skilled worker visa Healthcare & Care Worker visa Senior or Specialist Worker visa Minister of Religion visa (T2) International Sportsperson visa Charity Worker visa Religious Worker visa Youth Mobility Scheme visa Graduate visa Innovator visa Nationals needing a visa

G4I Sponsor Licence Support

Preventing Illegal Employment Resident Labour Consideration Sponsor Licence Audit Sponsor Licence Applications Sponsor Licence Support Service Sponsor Licence Training Recruitment Cycle

Home Office Official Documents

PBS Introduction for employers Business & Future Immigration 2021 An introduction for employers The UK’s PBS Immigration System PBS Employer Factsheet PBS Immigration System Partner Pack Immigration Rules Changes Guide to becoming a licenced sponsor SL priority service request form

Sponsored Workers Guidance

Sponsor a Skilled worker Sponsor a Health & Care worker Sponsor a Senior/Specialist Worker Sponsor a MoR or Religious worker Sponsor an International Sportsperson Sponsor a Charity worker Sponsor a Secondment Worker visa

Sponsor Licence Policies

Guide 1: Introduction to the SMS Guide 2: SMS sponsorship licence Guide 3: SMS applications services Guide 8: SMS creating a CoS Guide 8a: SMS creating a CoS Guide 9: Reporting worker activity Guide 10: Miscellaneous CoS functions Guide 11: Creative Worker CoS Guide 12: Defined CoS: SMS Appendix A: Supporting Documents Appendix B: Immigration offences Appendix C: Civil penalties & sponsorship Appendix D: SL recordkeeping Sponsors priority circumstances change PBS sponsor compliance visits Immigration rules updates

Home Office Checks

View & prove your immigration status How to carry out a right to work check Prove your right to work to an employer

Business visa routes

Innovator visa Start-up visa Global Talent visa

Other popular visas routes

Apply as an adult Student Apply as a Child Student Apply to study English in the UK Apply as a Partner or Spouse Apply as a parent Apply as a child Adult to be cared for Apply as a Standard visitor Apply for marriage visitor visa

Commonwealth & British

Apply for Right of Abode Apply for UK Ancestry British National (Overseas) visa Apply under naturalisation (Adult)

Settle in the UK

Settlement (work route) Settlement (family route) Settlement (long residence) Settlement (refugee or have HP or DL) Settlement (Returning Resident) Settlement (Served in the armed serves)