For a UK spouse or partner visa you need an approved English speaking and listening test at level A1 when you first apply. When you extend after about 2.5 years you need A2, and when you apply for settlement (ILR) after 5 years you need B1 (rising to B2 for ILR applications made on or after 26 March 2027). The test must be a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, taken in person at an approved test centre. Prices start at about £160.
Checked against GOV.UK: November 2026. Rules and fees change, so always check GOV.UK: knowledge of English before you book.
Which English level do you need, and when?
The partner route has three English steps. Each one is a separate test unless you already passed a higher level.
| Stage | When | English level | Skills tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| First partner visa | When you first apply | A1 | Speaking and listening |
| Extension | After about 2 years 6 months | A2 | Speaking and listening |
| Settlement (ILR) | After 5 years on the partner route | B1 (B2 for applications on or after 26 March 2027) | Speaking and listening |
You can skip a step by passing a higher level. 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that if you passed A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2, you can reuse that result for the extension, as long as the provider has not withdrawn the certificate. A B1 or higher pass can also be reused for settlement if the test is still on the approved list.
If you passed A1 for your first visa, you must pass at least A2 to extend. If you were exempt the first time, you must pass a test at level A1 when you extend.
The 4 approved English tests for a spouse visa
All four test speaking and listening only, which is what the partner route needs. You do not need a reading or writing test.
| Test | Levels for the partner route | Format | Price (UK) | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Life Skills | A1, A2, B1 | About 20 minutes, face to face with an examiner and one other test taker | About £182 to £209 | Pass or fail |
| PTE Home (Pearson) | A1, A2, B1 | About 30 minutes, on a computer at a test centre | Varies by country (use Pearson's price finder) | Usually within 48 hours |
| LanguageCert ESOL SELT | A1, A2, B1 | Speaking and listening, with a live examiner | £160 per level | 3 to 5 working days |
| Trinity GESE | Grade 2 (A1), Grade 3 (A2), Grade 5 (B1) | A one-to-one speaking exam with an examiner | £160 per grade | Pass or fail |
Prices are from each provider's own pages in November 2026. They can change, so check before you book.
Which test is easiest?
There is no "easy" test, because they all check the same level. The right choice depends on how you like to be tested:
- You prefer talking to a person: Trinity GESE (one-to-one) or IELTS Life Skills (with an examiner and one other candidate).
- You prefer a computer and no conversation partner: PTE Home. You repeat sentences, describe pictures and answer questions about short conversations.
- You want the cheapest UK option: LanguageCert or Trinity, both £160.
- You need A2 and you live outside the UK: IELTS Life Skills A2 is only offered in the UK, so check the other providers for an overseas centre.
For a detailed look at each test, see our guides to IELTS Life Skills A1, PTE Home A1 and B1 and the A2 English test for the extension.
Rules every test must meet
It must be a SELT from an approved provider. GOV.UK lists five SELT providers: Trinity College London, the IELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert, Pearson and PSI (Skills for English, overseas only). For the partner route you need the speaking and listening versions.
It must be taken at an approved test centre. You cannot take it online or at home, even PTE "Home". The remote testing pilot ended in March 2023. If there is no approved centre in your country, you have to travel to another country to sit the test.
Results are valid for 2 years. GOV.UK says the test must have been awarded in the 2 years before the date you apply. Book your test so the result is still valid on your application date.
Tests taken in the UK can be used for UK and overseas applications, and tests taken overseas can be used for UK applications.
Who does not need an English test for a spouse visa?
You do not need to prove your English if any of these apply (GOV.UK, November 2026):
- you are 65 or over
- you have a physical or mental condition that prevents you from meeting the requirement
- you are a national of a majority English-speaking country on the GOV.UK list, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Malta
- you have a degree taught in English:
- a degree from a UK institution counts with just your degree certificate
- a degree from outside the UK needs an Ecctis assessment confirming it is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree and was taught in English
- you already proved your English in a previous successful application at the level you now need
One rule surprises people: if you were exempt when you first applied, you need to pass an A1 test when you extend (unless you are still exempt).
How to book your test
- Check which level you need using the table above: A1 to apply, A2 to extend, B1 for ILR.
- Pick a provider and book through its official website only. The British Council warns that fake booking sites exist.
- Bring the right ID. Use the same passport or ID you will use for your visa application.
- Get your reference number. Some providers (such as Pearson) send a SELT Unique Reference Number that you add to your visa application. Others send a certificate.
- Apply while the result is valid, within 2 years of the test.
Can you take one test that covers all three stages?
Partly. A B1 pass meets the A1 requirement for your first visa and can be reused for the A2 extension. It can also be reused for ILR if you apply before 26 March 2027, the test is still approved and the certificate has not been withdrawn. ILR applications made on or after 26 March 2027 need B2, so most people starting the route now will need a new test at settlement anyway. Taking B1 early can still save you one test fee.
The catch is that B1 is harder. If your English is at A1 today, take A1 now and work towards B1 over the next 5 years. If you are close to B1, one test may be cheaper overall.
What comes after the English test?
Your English test is one step on a longer road. On the partner route you also need to meet the financial requirement (usually £29,000 a year in combined income), and at settlement you need the Life in the UK test as well as B1 English (B2 for applications on or after 26 March 2027).
See the full spouse visa route to British citizenship for every step, cost and timeline.
Practise for the A1 test for free
Our free A1 English test practice covers only what is in the real tests: talking about yourself, asking a partner questions, listening, Repeat Sentence and describing a picture. There are also 20 free A1 mock tests in the IELTS Life Skills, PTE Home, LanguageCert and Trinity style, with free feedback checks on your speaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What English test do I need for a UK spouse visa?
You need an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) in speaking and listening at level A1 for your first partner visa. The approved tests are IELTS Life Skills A1, PTE Home A1, LanguageCert ESOL SELT A1 and Trinity GESE Grade 2. You must take it at an approved test centre.
Is the A1 English test hard?
A1 is the most basic level. You need to understand simple questions and give short answers about everyday topics such as your family, home, work and daily routine. Most people who can hold a simple conversation pass with some practice.
How much does the English test for a spouse visa cost?
In November 2026, LanguageCert and Trinity GESE cost £160 per level in the UK. IELTS Life Skills costs about £182 to £209 depending on the centre. PTE Home prices vary by country. Check the provider's website for the current price.
Can I take the spouse visa English test online?
No. All approved English tests for a UK visa must be taken in person at an approved test centre. Online or at-home tests are not accepted, including PTE Home, which despite its name is taken at a test centre.
Do I need an English test to extend my spouse visa?
Yes, usually. If you passed A1 for your first visa, you need to pass at least A2 in speaking and listening to extend. If you already passed A2 or higher, you can reuse that result as long as the certificate has not been withdrawn.
How long is an English test result valid for a spouse visa?
GOV.UK says SELT results are valid for 2 years from the date the test is awarded. The test must have been awarded in the 2 years before you apply.
Who is exempt from the spouse visa English test?
You are exempt if you are 65 or over, have a condition that prevents you meeting the requirement, are a national of a listed majority English-speaking country such as the USA or Canada, or have a degree taught in English (a non-UK degree needs an Ecctis assessment).