If you are looking to live, work or study in the UK, then you will need to apply for the appropriate visa through UK visas and Immigration (UKVI) in order to do so. Trinity College London is here to help you understand which UK visa is right for you.
Page contents:
English test for UK visas
To be able to get a work, study or family visa for the UK, you may need to take an English language test to prove your ability to speak, listen, write or read English. There are different levels of Secure English Language Tests - also known as SELTs - that use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (or CEFR) guidance to assess your abilities. Which SELT test you will need to take will depend on the type of visa you're applying for.
Which English test do I need for a spouse/family and live in the UK visa?
If you’re applying for a spouse or family visa in the form of Further Leave to Remain you will need to take a SELT test depending on whether this is a visa extension or not. The Secure English Language Test (SELT) you’ll need for each are:
- Family partner
- Family parent
For those that are either a partner or family member of a:
- British national
- Person settled in the UK (ie a person with ILR)
- Person with EU Settlement Scheme pre-settled status
- Person who has UK refugee leave or humanitarian protection
- Person who has a Turkish ECAA worker or business person visa
Further Leave to Remain Visa Extension
- Family partner
- Family parent
For those that are either a partner or family member of a:
- British national
-
Person settled in the UK (ie a person with ILR)
- Person with EU Settlement Scheme pre-settled status
- Person who has UK refugee leave or humanitarian protection
- Person who has a Turkish ECAA worker or business person visa
Indefinite Leave to Remain
- Settlement/ Permanent Residency
If you have lived and/or worked in the UK for 5 years you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
British Citizenship
- Naturalisation
For those that have lived in the UK for 5 years and had one of the following for 12 months:
-
indefinite leave to remain in the UK
- ‘settled status’ (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’)
- indefinite leave to enter the UK (permission to move to the UK permanently from abroad)
Which English test do I need for a work visa?
If you’re staying in the UK for an extended period of time to work, then you may need to apply for a work visa; but which one you need will depend on the type of work you’re in the country to do. The visa types along with the Secure English Language Test (SELT) you’ll need for each are as follows:
Representative of an Overseas Business visa
For employees of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation posted on a long-term assignment to the UK.
International Sportsperson visa (T2)
For elite sportspersons or qualified coaches, recognised by their sport’s governing body as being at the highest level of their profession internationally.
Skilled Worker visa
For those who are coming to or staying in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.
Health and Care Worker visa
For medical professionals who are coming to or staying in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.
Scale-up Worker visa
For those wanting to come to the UK to do an eligible job for a fast-growing UK business (sometimes called a ‘scale-up business’).
Minister of religion visa (T2)
For those who have been offered a job within a faith community (for example as a minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order) in the UK.
Innovator visa
For those wanting to set up and run an innovative business in the UK - it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market OR those with a business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body .
Start-up visa
For those wanting to set up an innovative business in the UK - it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market
Which English test do I need for a study visa?
When applying for a student visa, it’s important to understand not only which SELT test you need to take, but the specific conditions of the university or college you’ve applied to study at. Education providers may require a higher level of English language proficiency than UKVI requests - please ensure you check with your sponsor with regard to their individual requirements.
Study visa - below degree level*
For those aged 16 or over and who have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor.
Study visa - degree level and above**
For those aged 16 or over and who have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor.
Please note that with the above visa types, some study sponsors may require you to take a different type of SELT test on top of the one you need to take for your UKVI. For example:
- *If you’re coming to the UK to study for qualifications such as GCSE, A-Level, BTEC, diploma, NVQ etc, then your sponsor might need you to take a B2 English test
- **If you’re coming to the UK to study at university, then your sponsor might need you to take a C1 English test as well as a B1 for your UKVI
For the most up-to-date information on the course you’re looking to study and the visa type you’ll need, it’s best to check the UK Government website. If you’re still unsure which SELT test is the right choice for you, you can speak to the Trinity team at 0333 358 3183 or selt@trinitycollege.co.uk
How do I get a SELT test for a UK visa?
Getting a Secure English Language Test (SELT) as part of your UK visa application is easy. Book directly with a UKVI approved SELT provider. This also protects your booking should you need to change the date, and allows you to take advantage of other services such as Trinity’s Exam Protect that allows you to retake for free should you not pass your initial exam.
For more reasons to book your SELT test through Trinity, go to Why Choose Trinity.
Why choose Trinity for your SELT exam?
Real-life accredited examiners
Trinity College London uses human examiners to run SELT tests. This allows for more flexibility than computer-adapted tests do.
Convenient locations
With over 20 SELT test centres across the UK, Trinity offers tests seven days a week. You can choose from 100's of slots based on the date, time, and location that works best for you.
Learn more
Fast indication of result
Provisional GESE results are emailed by 9am the day after the exam, a link to access your digital certificate is emailed within 4-7 days after the exam date.
Learn more
Trinity Exam protect
For just £30 (on top of your exam fee), Exam Protect will allow you to:
- Book one retake
- Reschedule your test once
Available to buy up to 24 hours before your test time.
Learn more