What is UKVI IELTS?

The UK education system is flexible, so you can study in a way that suits your lifestyle and career aspirations. UK provides secure and growing economy which in turn offers enormous opportunities to build a steady career. Migration is possible for skilled workers as well as investors. Learn how IELTS plays a vital role while you plan to move to the UK.

UKVI IELTS

If you are applying for a visa to stay or move to the UK, IELTS UKVI test is mandatory. In addition to the IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic tests, IELTS Life Skills is introduced.

• IELTS fee for UK Visas and Immigration is Rs.18,500.
• Fee for IELTS Life Skills is Rs.13,850.

IELTS Life Skills is an English language test for speaking and listening section at levels A1 or B1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

• IELTS Life Skills A1 -- If you are applying to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for family, spouse or partner visa. This test takes 16--18 minutes.
• IELTS Life Skills A2 -- If you are applying to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for a ‘family of a settled person’ extension visa. This test takes 20 minutes.
• IELTS Life Skills B1 -- If you are applying to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to remain or for citizenship. This test takes 22 minutes.

IELTS Life Skills is assessed based on the criteria such as

• Obtaining information
• Conveying information
• Speaking to communicate
• Engage in a discussion.

There is no break between speaking and listening components as both skills will be assessed at the same time. Test results are available within seven days of your test.

Why is IELTS UKVI Required ?

IELTS UKVI test is required if you are applying for a Tier 4 student visa to enter a university. IELTS for UKVI (Academic) conducts this test on the computer in many locations such as Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Vietnam, UAE and UK.

• IELTS Academic for UK Visas and Immigration - This test is for those who want to apply for higher education in universities and other institutions or pursue professional registration such as medical doctors and nurses in the UK.
• IELTS General Training for UK Visas and Immigration - This test is for those who are planning to migrate or apply for secondary education, training programme and work experience in the UK.

IELTS band score required for UK immigration depends on what test you take.

Visa description	Minimum CEFR level required	Skills	IELTS test and minimum score required overall and in each skill
Tier 1 (General) visa	C1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI -- 7.0 overall, and in each of the four skills
Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa	B1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI -- 4.0 overall, and in each of the four skills
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa	B1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI -- 4.0 overall, and in each of the four skills
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) visa	B1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI -- 4.0 overall, and in each of the four skills
Tier 2 (General) visa -- in most cases	B1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI -- 4.0 overall, and in each of the four skills
Tier 2 (Sports-person) visa	A1	Speaking and Listening	IELTS Life Skills at A1 -- Pass,IELTS for UKVI -- 4.0 in Speaking and Listening
Tier 2 (Minister of Religion) visa	B2	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI -- 5.5 overall, and in each of the four skills
Tier 4 (General) student visa -- below degree level and per-sessional courses	B1	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS for UKVI -- 4.0 overall, and in each of the four skills
Tier 4 (General) student visa -- degree level and above	B2	Reading, Writing Speaking, and Listening	IELTS/IELTS for UKVI -- 5.5 overall, and in each of the four skills
Family route - Spouse/partner Parent of a Dependant	A1	Speaking and Listening	IELTS Life Skills at A1 -- Pass,IELTS for UKVI -- 4.0 in Speaking and Listening
Family route (extension) - Spouse/partner Parent of a Dependant	A2	Speaking and Listening	IELTS Life Skills at A2 -- Pass,IELTS for UKVI -- 4.0 in Speaking and Listening
Indefinite leave to remain (to settle) or citizenship	B1	Speaking and Listening	IELTS Life Skills at B1 Pass IELTS for UKVI -- 4.0 in Speaking and Listening

IELTS for Tier 2 Visa

If you are applying for UK Tier 2 Visas, you need to give IELTS UKVI test to gain entry in the UK.

• For Tier 2 (General) Visa, you need to pass IELTS UKVI test with CEFR level B1 in reading, writing, speaking, listening and have an overall band score of 4.0 in each of the four skills.
• For Tier 2 Sportsman Visa, you need to pass IELTS life skills test with CEFR level A1 in speaking and listening and have an overall band score of 4.0 in IELTS for UKVI.
• For Tier 2 Ministry of Religion Visa, you need to pass IELTS UKVI test with CEFR level B2 in reading, writing speaking, and listening and have an overall band score of 5.5 in each of the four skills.

Excellent command over English is required here as the kind of work undertaken will be officiating at religious ceremonies, preaching, religious teaching, welfare work for the Christian community or translating sacred scriptures.