Frequently Asked Questions (Test Takers)
Please note:
Those who are applying for a student visa to a Highly Trusted Sponsor (HTS) to study a bachelor or postgraduate degree are required to meet the English language level set by the institution. All British universities and colleges accept IELTS results. For more information, please be sure to check with your educational institution.
Official list of British Universities and Colleges with Highly Trusted Sponsor Status
IELTS for UKVI
Q. Is there anything I should bring to the IELTS for UKVI exam?
A. Please bring the valid passport which you used for the application, pencils, pen and eraser. Please bring a water bottle if you need it (bottle label needs to be taken). Candidates under 18 years old should bring a Child Safe Collection Consent form signed by the guardian/parent. Please check here for more details.
Q. What should I do if my passport has been renewed?
A. You are strongly advised that the passport that you bring to the test day must match with the passport information submitted in your online application. Therefore, if your passport has been renewed, you MUST inform us by sending a scan of your new passport photo page by e-mail as soon as possible in advance of the test. Please be aware that you will NOT be admitted to the test session if there is any discrepancy on your passport details. Once you have provided the scan of your new passport to us, you will just need to bring your new passport to the test day.
Q. Which IELTS test do I need if I am applying for a UK visa?
A. If you are applying for a UK visa in the UK, there is an IELTS test for you.
For visa applications to the UK, you may need to have an English language qualification.
In particular, for many categories of visa, you must submit an English language qualification which is included on the UK Home Office’s list of Secure English Language Tests (often referred to as SELT tests). IELTS for UKVI and IELTS for UKVI Life Skills are on this list.
To find out whether you need to take an approved SELT test, what level you need to achieve, and which test you can use, you should contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), or the British Embassy or High Commission in your country. There is also a wealth of information on government website.
Q. Can I use any IELTS test result for UK visa application?
A. If you wish to use an IELTS for UKVI or IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test result as part of your application for UK visa purposes (apart from some types of student visa), you may need to take the test at an IELTS test centre which is specifically authorised by UK Visas and Immigration for this purpose, and the test must be taken under conditions specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
You will receive an IELTS for UKVI – or IELTS for UKVI Life Skills – Test Report Form which shows that you have taken your test to meet the UKVI requirements.
Q. Where can I take an IELTS for UKVI or IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test for a UK visa application?
A. The tests are available throughout the world, in locations specified by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). In Japan, test locations for IELTS for UKVI are Tokyo and Osaka only.
Q. When can I take an IELTS for UKVI or IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test?
A. Please visit the Eiken Foundation of Japan homepage.
Q. How often can I re-take IELTS or IELTS Life Skills?
A. There are no restrictions on retaking IELTS. You can register for a test as soon as you feel you are ready to do so.
If you pass IELTS for UKVI Life Skills, you cannot retake it for a period of two years. If you do not pass it, there are no restrictions on retaking the test.
Q. How soon will I get my test report form (TRF)?
A. Test Report Form (TRF) will be posted to you
- IELTS for UKVI on Paper: Upto 13 days after the written test
- IELTS for UKVI on Computer: 1-5 days after the test
- IELTS for UKVI Life Skills: 6 days after the test
Centres are not permitted to give results over the phone or email or by fax.
Please note these issue dates will be moved to the next business day if they are on a public holiday.
Q. How is my IELTS test different if I take it for UK visa purposes?
A. The IELTS test for UK visa purposes is designed to meet certain administrative requirements that are only specified by UK Visas and Immigration. Test Report Forms will be slightly different, to show that test takers have taken the test at an IELTS UK visa session. The actual test taken is the same – same content, examiners, format, level of difficulty, scoring and so on.
Q. If I take an IELTS test for UK visa purposes, can I use my result in other countries / for other purposes?
A. Yes. IELTS test results are accepted by more than 14,000 organisations worldwide, including universities, colleges, governments and employers.
Q. I’ve already taken IELTS. Can I still use my result to apply to UK Visas and Immigration?
A. Take the test at an IELTS test centre authorised to run IELTS tests for UK visa and immigration purposes and you must confirm at the time of registration that you wish to use your test for these purposes.
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills
Q. What is IELTS for UKVI Life Skills? What is it for?
A. IELTS for UKVI Life Skills is a test of Speaking and Listening, available at CEFR Level A1 and CEFR Level B1. It is designed to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration for certain visa categories.
Q. When and where can I take an IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test?
A. Please visit the Eiken Foundation of Japan homepage. To find out whether you need to take an approved test, and what level you need to achieve, please visit GOV.UK for more information.
Q. What is the format of the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test?
A. You take the test with another test taker and one Examiner. Your own performance on both speaking and listening will be assessed during this one session.
Q. Why does IELTS for UKVI Life Skills only cover Speaking and Listening?
A. The new test has been designed to meet specific immigration requirements for which applicants only need to demonstrate speaking and listening skills.
Q. How long does the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test take?
A. IELTS Life Skills at CEFR Level A1 takes 16-18 minutes and Level B1 is 22 minutes.
Q. Is there any break between Speaking and Listening?
A. No. You will be assessed on your Speaking and Listening skills at the same time.
Q. How is IELTS for UKVI Life Skills assessed?
A. A certificated IELTS Examiner will assess your performance throughout the Listening and Speaking test based on the following criteria:
- obtaining information
- conveying information
- speaking to communicate
- engaging in discussion
Q. How can I prepare for the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test?
A. Free test samples are available at Take IELTS with British Council.
Q. How many copies of IELTS for UKVI Life Skills Test Report Form will I get?
A. You will receive one copy of the IELTS for UKVI Life Skills Test Report Form.
Q. How soon will I get my IELTS for UKVI Life Skills results?
A. IELTS for UKVI Life Skills test report form will be posted to you 6 days after the test. Centres are not permitted to give results over the phone or email or by fax.
Please note these issue dates will be moved to the next business day if they are on a public holiday.
Q. How often can I re-take IELTS for UKVI or IELTS for UKVI Life Skills?
A. There are no restrictions on retaking IELTS. You can register for a test as soon as you feel you are ready to do so.If you pass IELTS for UKVI Life Skills, you cannot retake it for a period of two years. If you do not pass it, there are no restrictions on retaking the test.
Others
Q. I witnessed malpractice or wrongdoing at the British Council test site. What can I do?
A. British Council has zero tolerance for those actions in the examination we do. Please contact us by email.