Skip to content 
Applying for a UK Spouse Visa but unsure which test you need to take? Proving your language proficiency is a key part of the process. Whether you’re just starting your application or preparing for the test, it is important to understand the requirements, and how to succeed. This guide provides everything you need to know about the English test requirement for a UK Spouse Visa. By following these steps, you can approach it with confidence and clarity.
What is the English Language Test for Spouse Visa?
To satisfy the English language requirement for a spouse or partner visa, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the language by achieving a score of at least A1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale. The Home Office must have authorised the service provider.
Guidelines for UK Spouse Visa English Test
The immigration rules state that the validity of English language test results is for two years. When applying for your spouse’s visa, you must check that your English language test certificate is still valid. Your application may be rejected or delayed if you submit an outdated test certificate.
As previously stated, your secure English language test (SELT) must be completed with an approved provider. You can only take a SELT with one of the following testing companies if you are within the UK:
- LanguageCert
- Trinity College London
- Pearson
- IELTS SELT Consortium
Individuals outside of the UK who want to apply for a spouse visa must take a SELT with one of the following testing companies:
- Pearson
- PSI Services (UK) Ltd
- LanguageCert
- IELTS SELT Consortium
You can only apply for a UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) if your English language exam meets these criteria:
- Here is a list of approved English tests:
- Pearson: ‘PTE Academic UKVI’ or ‘PTE Home’
- PSI Services: ‘Skills for English UKVI’
- Trinity College London: ‘Secure English Language Tests for UKVI’ – Integrated Skills in English (ISE) or Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE)
- IELTS SELT Consortium: ‘IELTS for UKVI’ or ‘IELTS Life Skills
- LanguageCert: ‘LanguageCert International ESOL SELT’
- Conducted in a designated testing location, and
- Have been granted in the two years immediately before your application
What Documents Do You Need for the UK Spouse Visa Test?
At the time of your English language test, you will be required to present certain forms of valid identification, such as:
- Be current and valid
- Be original, not a photocopy.
- Include a picture of you.
- Enter the same details that you used to schedule the test.
Any of the following can be used as proof of who you are:
- Passport
- UK Biometric Residence Permit
- UK Biometric Residence Card
- Convention travel document
- Stateless persons’ travel document
When taking the test in the UK or the country where the identity card was issued, you can also use an identity card for EEA nationals.
You can also use a valid photo ID card from the government if you are taking the test in the same country where the ID card was granted.
What to Expect After the Test?
A SELT reference number will be assigned to you once the test is complete.
Your spouse’s visa application requires this reference number as evidence of your test result.
Your SELT reference number may also go by a different name depending on the testing centre you used:
- UER’ for Trinity College London tests
- ‘Candidate URN’ for LanguageCert tests
- ‘UKVI number’ for IELTS SELT Consortium tests
- ‘URN’ for PSI Skills for English tests
- ‘SELT URN’ for Pearson tests
Upon submission of your application, the Home Office will verify your test results by using your SELT reference number. At that point, you won’t be required to submit any other paperwork.
English Test for Spouse Visa Extension
After 2.5 years, you will be required to prove your proficiency in English once more to request an extension of your spouse’s visa. However, you must now attain or exceed the A2 CEFR level in speaking and listening.
Who is Exempt from the English Language Requirement for a Spouse Visa?
The English language requirement will not apply to you if you meet the following criteria:
- Under 18 or older than 65 years
- From a country where people know English (see below for more information)
- A native English speaker who has taught or conducted research in the field
- You want to extend your family visa as a parent or partner after having already been in the UK for five years.
- An adult who travels to the UK to live with a family member
- You are unable to fulfil the criterion due to a medical diagnosis.
We will talk more about some of the criteria for exemptions later in this piece.
List of Countries Exempt from the Spouse Visa English Language Requirement
Presently, applicants seeking spouse visas from the following exempt nations are not required to demonstrate their command of the English language:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- the British overseas territories
- Canada
- Dominica
- Guyana
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- St Lucia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
Academic Exemptions for UK Spouse Visa English Test
You might not need to take the English test for the spouse visa if you hold a degree or other advanced credential that was taught in English. The degree must be the same as a UK Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. to be eligible for the English language exemption. In order to be eligible for this exemption, you must:
- Ectiss must verify your academic credentials. To demonstrate that your qualifications are sufficient, Ectiss will provide you with either a visa and nationality statement or a statement of comparability.
- Show proof that you have the qualification and that it was taught or studied in English.
Ectiss will require a “statement of comparability” from anyone whose qualification came from the following countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Belize
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- St Lucia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
Proof that the course was conducted in English as well as the name of the awarding institution, the date of award, and your name must be included on your original academic qualification certificate.
Long-term Health Exemptions for English Requirement
If you are unable to show your proficiency in English due to a chronic medical or psychological condition, you will not be required to do so. In order to be excluded from the English language requirement for the spouse visa, you will need to have your doctor fill out a “Waiver request for the knowledge of language and life in the UK requirement: medical opinion” that explains your situation.
Applicants with long-term health conditions may have trouble communicating due to, for example, being deaf, mute, having a speech impairment, or suffering from disorders like dysphasia or aphasia.
UKVI will consider each situation individually when deciding whether you are exempt from the English language requirement due to a medical condition. The Home Office may reject your application if they do not get enough evidence of a real medical condition that could prevent you from learning or speaking in English.
Exceptional Circumstances for Spouse Visa English Exemption
Depending on the severity of your situation, you might not be required to show proficiency in English. Although there is no hard and fast rule about what qualifies as an exceptional circumstance, you will need to demonstrate that either you were unable to acquire English before you arrived in the UK or that taking an approved SELT in another country would be impractical or unreasonable. If you find yourself in one of these rare situations,
- Live in a country having an internal or international armed war.
- Live in a country that has had or is having a humanitarian crisis
- Have spent months in the hospital
- You are also requesting entry to the UK as the primary carer for a disabled child.
Do not have the time, energy, or resources to travel to another country to take an A1 test because you are a permanent resident of a country that does not have an approved test provision.
What are the Fees for a UK Spouse Visa English Test?
The cost of an English language exam could change based on your desired level of proficiency, the testing centre you choose, and the test provider.
However, you could expect to pay about £150 to take an accredited English language test at the A1 level.
If you want a certificate from Ecctis to verify your academic credentials, there are extra costs to consider.
It will cost you about £49.50 if you require a statement of comparability. If you need a visa and proof of citizenship, it will cost you one of the following:
- £140 to validate language ability
- £210 to verify a PhD-level degree with English skills
How can UK Immigration Solicitors help?
An English proficiency test is a requirement for many visa applicants to enter the UK legally. In addition to this, there are additional, more complex standards about relationships, finances, and housing that candidates for spouse visas must meet.
Contact UK Immigration Solicitors for help with your Spouse visa application; we can explain all the steps you need to take to ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements, including the English language requirement.
With decades of combined expertise, our immigration attorneys have helped countless clients get visas and permanent residence in the UK.
If you are interested in applying for a Spouse visa, we can help you find out if you qualify and guide you through the application process, including finding the most effective ways to meet the language requirement. Whether you’re taking the UK spouse visa English test, need assistance getting an Ecctis certificate, or need to demonstrate that you don’t have to take the test because of language requirements, we’re here to help.
You can contact us online or call 02033844389 right now to find out more about our services and how we may assist you.
