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IELTS for UKVI Life Skills Visas and Immigration

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills is for people who need to show their English speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels A1 or B1. IELTS Life Skills is designed to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration for certain visa categories and other immigration purposes.

IELTS Life Skills is available at two levels:

  • IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 – This test is for UK visas and immigration for a “family of a settled person”.

  • IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 – This test is for UK visas and immigration for “indefinite leave to remain or citizenship” visa.

Both tests assess only your Speaking and Listening skills.

The focus of IELTS Life Skills

  • At each level, the test is designed to assess whether you can listen and respond, make your meaning clear, and talk with other people.

Face-to-face Speaking and Listening tests

  • You will take the test with an examiner, and with one other test taker. You will be expected to take part in short discussions on everyday subjects.

Test dates for IELTS Life Skills

  • If you need an IELTS test for UK visa applications, you can only take them at a UKVI approved IELTS test centre.

  • IDP IELTS Sydney and IDP IELTS Melbourne are the only UKVI approved test centres in Australia.

  • In those test centres, we offer all the approved IELTS tests for UK visa applications.

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 or B1 - What's the difference?

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 

  • Is for proving your English proficiency as part of your application to UK Visas and Immigration for visas that are for the ‘family of a settled person’.

  • The test duration lasts between 16-18 minutes.

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills B1 

  • Is for proving your English proficiency as part of your application to UK Visas and Immigration for ‘citizenship or indefinite leave to remain’.

  • The test duration can take up to 22 minutes.

Both A1 and B1 tests are designed to assess your Listening and Speaking skills.

  • For both the A1 and B1 tests, you will be expected to listen and respond to spoken language topics and complete certain tasks that might include describing, giving opinions, commenting or justifying your answers. 

  • However, the B1 test will require you to think deeper and hold a more complex conversation that includes narrating, showing contrast and expressing opinions about future possibilities. 

Both A1 and B1 tests will require you to take the test face-to-face with an examiner and one other candidate.

  • This is done so as to reflect the everyday experience of communicating with another person in an English-speaking country. 

  • Rest assured that the second test taker’s performance will not affect your test results. 

Where can I take the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills in Australia?

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 and B1 tests are currently only available in Australia, in the following test centres:

If you need an IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test for UK visa applications, you can only do so at approved test centres. These UKVI-approved test centres meet the administrative requirements outlined by the UK Home Office.

Book in IDP IELTS Melbourne

Book in IDP IELTS Sydney

Prepare for your IELTS for UKVI Life Skills

Download the free sample tests to help you prepare for your IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test - Level A1 and Level B1.

IELTS for UKVI Life Skills FAQs