The A2 English test is the speaking and listening test you need to extend a UK spouse or partner visa after about 2 years and 6 months, if you passed A1 for your first visa. Four approved tests cover it: IELTS Life Skills A2, PTE Home A2, LanguageCert ESOL SELT A2 and Trinity GESE Grade 3. They cost about £160 to £209 and must be taken in person at an approved test centre.
Checked against GOV.UK: November 2026. See GOV.UK: knowledge of English for the current rules.
Do you need the A2 test?
GOV.UK sets out three situations when you extend your partner visa:
| Your situation | What you need for the extension |
|---|---|
| You passed A1 for your first visa | Pass at least A2 in speaking and listening |
| You passed A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2 before | Reuse that result, as long as the provider has not withdrawn the certificate |
| You were exempt when you first applied | Pass a test at level A1 (unless you are still exempt) |
So if you took A1 last time, you need a new test now. If you already passed a higher level, you probably do not.
The same exemptions apply as for the first visa: being 65 or over, a condition that prevents you meeting the requirement, nationality of a listed majority English-speaking country, or a degree taught in English. See who is exempt from the spouse visa English test.
The 4 approved A2 tests compared
| Test | Format | Price (UK) | Results | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Life Skills A2 | About 20 minutes with an examiner and one other test taker | About £182 to £209 | Pass or fail | Only available in the UK |
| PTE Home A2 | About 30 minutes on a computer at a test centre | Varies by country (Pearson price finder) | Usually within 48 hours | You talk to a computer, not a person |
| LanguageCert ESOL SELT A2 | Speaking and listening with a live examiner | £160 | 3 to 5 working days | Same price at every level |
| Trinity GESE Grade 3 | One-to-one conversation with an examiner | £160 | Pass or fail | UK only; Grade 3 is A2 |
Prices are taken from each provider's website in November 2026.
What does A2 English mean?
A2 is the second level on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), one step above A1. At A2 you should be able to:
- understand sentences and common phrases about everyday life (family, shopping, work, your local area)
- take part in short, simple conversations about familiar topics
- describe your background, where you live and things you need, in simple terms
- ask and answer simple questions
The step from A1 to A2 is real but manageable. Where A1 asks you to give basic information, A2 expects you to compare, plan and give simple reasons. The IELTS Life Skills A2 test, for example, adds comparing, prioritising, planning and persuading to the A1 tasks.
What happens in each A2 test?
IELTS Life Skills A2
You sit with an examiner and one other test taker. You talk about everyday topics, listen to short recordings and discuss them together. You are marked on listening and responding, making your meaning clear and talking with other people. It lasts about 20 minutes.
PTE Home A2
A computer-based test at a Pearson centre. You hear and repeat sentences, describe images and answer questions about short conversations. It takes about 30 minutes, and results usually arrive within 48 hours with a SELT reference number to add to your application.
LanguageCert ESOL SELT A2
A speaking and listening test with a live examiner. Results come in 3 to 5 working days.
Trinity GESE Grade 3
A one-to-one conversation with a Trinity examiner on everyday subjects. Trinity's SELTs are taken at UK centres.
How to prepare for the A2 test
- Talk about yourself every day. Practise describing your home, family, job, weekend and plans out loud, in full sentences.
- Practise comparing and choosing. "I prefer the bus because it is cheaper." "We should buy the bigger table because we have guests." These are typical A2 tasks.
- Listen to short everyday English: announcements, short conversations, simple podcasts for learners.
- Use the official practice material from your chosen provider. All four publish sample tasks.
- Do a mock speaking test with a friend or teacher, timed, with no notes.
Should you take B1 instead?
You need B1 anyway when you apply for settlement (ILR) after 5 years (or B2 if you apply on or after 26 March 2027), and GOV.UK lets you reuse a B1 pass for your extension. If your English is close to B1, taking B1 now could mean one test instead of two.
- Take A2 if you are comfortable at A2 but not yet confident at B1. You can then work on B1 before your ILR application.
- Take B1 if you can already hold a conversation about everyday and work topics with some detail. It can save you a test fee later.
Bear in mind that a B1 pass only covers ILR if you apply before 26 March 2027. The settlement test is speaking and listening. Our B1 practice and B1 English check can help you decide.
Timing your A2 test with your extension
- Your extension can be made at any time before your current visa expires. If you extend with the same partner, up to 28 days of your remaining time is added to the new visa (GOV.UK).
- English test results are valid for 2 years from the date they are awarded.
- Book your test a few weeks before you plan to apply, so you have the result in time and a chance to resit if needed.
For everything else you need to extend, including the £29,000 financial requirement, the £1,407 fee and the health surcharge, see our spouse visa extension guide.
Practise for the A2 test for free
Try our free A2 English test practice: speaking, listening, Repeat Sentence and retelling a story (the PTE Home A2 tasks), plus 20 free A2 mock tests in the format of each approved test.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the A2 English test for?
The A2 English test is mainly used to extend a UK spouse, partner or parent visa after about 2.5 years, if you passed an A1 test for your first visa. It tests speaking and listening only.
Which A2 tests are accepted for a spouse visa extension?
The approved A2 tests are IELTS Life Skills A2, PTE Home A2, LanguageCert ESOL SELT A2 and Trinity GESE Grade 3. They must be taken at an approved test centre, not online.
How much does the A2 English test cost?
In November 2026, LanguageCert A2 and Trinity GESE Grade 3 cost £160 in the UK, and IELTS Life Skills A2 costs about £182 to £209 depending on the centre. PTE Home prices vary by country.
Is the A2 English test difficult?
A2 is an elementary level. You need to understand and take part in simple everyday conversations, compare options and give simple reasons. With regular speaking practice, most people who passed A1 can reach A2 within the 2.5 years of their first visa.
Can I take IELTS Life Skills A2 outside the UK?
No. IELTS says Life Skills A2 is only offered in the UK. If you are applying from outside the UK, look at PTE Home A2 or LanguageCert A2, which have centres in many countries.
Can I use my B1 test for the spouse visa extension?
Yes. GOV.UK says that if you passed A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2, you can reuse that result for the extension, as long as the provider has not withdrawn the certificate.