What is UKVI IELTS? Your exclusive guide

The IELTS for UKVI (International English Language Testing System for UK Visas and Immigration) is a specialized English language test conducted by the UK government to judge candidates’ merit for visa applications. IELTS is a standard English language assessment exam demanded by many universities across the world while entertaining student applications from other countries. IELTS scores play a pivotal role in cracking admissions in foreign nations. The difference between IELTS and UKVI IELTS is that many universities take IELTS as a mandatory English language proficiency test which needs to be cleared by foreign students to get admission, while UKVI IELTS is the UK’s officially approved English test, which students have to pass to qualify for a UK Visa. But, your UKVI IELTS score can be used in different countries’ universities, such as Australia, the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Ireland. 

What is UKVI IELTS?

It is a UK government-approved Secure English Language Test(SELT). The UKVI IELTS caters to your English language abilities in support of a UK Visa and Immigration(UKVI) application.

All that You need to know about UKVI IELTS

The UKVI IELTS is backed by the Department of United Kingdom Visa and Immigration; the UKVI stands for the same. This English proficiency test is for candidates who are applying for:

• Tier 2 general work visa – innovator, start-up, or skilled worker
• Tier 4 general student visa – any student
• Tier 2 visa – Minister of Religion

This test is specifically designed to meet administrative requirements and criteria set by the UK home office. It has to be taken at a test center approved by the UKVI. The UKVI IELTS test is similar to general IELTS as it has the same format, scoring, and difficulty level. The only difference between the two is that the report showcases that the test has been taken at a test center approved by UKVI.  

Types of UKVI Examination

There are three types of UKVI IELTS examinations: academic, general, and life skills.

• IELTS Academic Examination

1. It is for the students who wish to study in the UK.
2. The primary objective of the test is to check if the student can manage in an academic environment.

• General Traning UKVI IELTS Examination

1. It is similar to the standard IELTS examination
2. UKVI IELTS test includes speaking, writing, listening, and reading

• Life Skills examination 

1. It is a new test added by the UK government, it has three sub-parts namely A1, A2, and B1.

• UKVI IELTS Life Skills A1– This is taken by international company executives, athletes, and family members who need to prove proficiency in English.
• UKVI IELTS Life Skills A2– This  is taken to prove English speaking and listening skills. It is taken for a family extension visa and can be only taken in the UK
• UKVI IELTS Life Skills B1– This examination is taken by people who want to stay in the UK indefinitely.

Minimum UKVI IELTS score requirement depending upon the visa application

The minimum score required against the UKVI IELTS depends on the kind of visa needed. The basic scores are visa vise are as follows:

Visa Type	Minimum required score	Minimum CEFR level required
Tier 1 General Visa	7.0 score overall and in each of four skills – Reading, writing, listening, and speaking minimum	C1
Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) Visa	4.0 in each skill And 4.0 score overall, minimum	B1
Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) Visa	4.0 in each skill And 4.0 score overall, minimum	B1
Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) Visa	minimum 4.0 in each skill and a 4.0 score overall	B1
Tier 2 General Visa	minimum 4.0 in all four skills and a 4.0 score overall	B1
Tier 2 or a Sportsperson Visa	minimum 4.0 in each of the four skills and a 4.0 score overall IELTS Life Skills at A1- pass score	A1
Tier 2 or Minister of Religion Visa	minimum 5.5  in all four skills and a 5.5  score overall	B2
Tier 4 (General) Student Visa – below degree and pre-sessional course	minimum 4.0 in all four skills and a 4.0  score overall	B1
Tier 4 (General) Student Visa – degree level and above	minimum 5.5 in all four skills and a 5.5 score overall	B2
Family route:For Wife or PartnerDependant’s parent	IELTS Life Skills at A1- pass score4.0 in speaking and listening	A1
Family route (extension) For Wife or partnerFor Dependant’s parent	IELTS Life Skills at A2- pass score4.0 in speaking and listening	A2

Also read: Country-wise IELTS eligibility criteria

Difference between IELTS and UKVI IELTS

The general difference between IELTS and UKVI IELTS is that IELTS is, in many cases, a mandatory English language proficiency test that needs to be cleared by foreign students to get admission in universities of English-language-speaking countries, while the UKVI IELTS is the UK’s officially approved English test, which students have to pass to qualify for a UK Visa. While IELTS is recognized by a majority of universities globally, UKVI IELTS is mandated by the UK government for visa authorization.

Explore the table below to get a detailed understanding of the differences between IELTS and UKVI IELTS:

Features	IELTS	UKVI IELTS
Purpose	General English language proficiency assessment	Specifically for UK visa applications
Approval	Not approved by the UK Home Office	Approved by the UK Home Office for immigration purposes
Format	Same format as UKVI IELTS	Same format as IELTS, but is administered under secure conditions
Mode of Examination	It is a computer-based exam	UKVI IELTS examination is also computer-based but has extra security to ensure candidate authenticity
Accepted By	Accepted by many institutions and organizations worldwide	Required for UK universities, government institutions, and visa applications
Examination fee	The Fee for a regular IELTS examination is INR 14,700	For Academic and General Academic: Rs. 15,100 For Life Skills: Rs.13,940
Test Availability	Widely available at various locations	Available at UKVI-approved test centers only

UKVI IELTS Fees

The fees for the IELTS for UKVI (International English Language Testing System for UK Visas and Immigration) vary based on test format and location.​ In India, the UKVI IELTS fee is:

IELTS for UK Visa and Immigration

INR 17,250

Cancellation fee for IELTS exam

The applications for cancellation and refund must be: 

• Sent to the Centre using the Test Data Transfer and cancellation/refund.

• The original receipt of the payment of the test should be attached to the application.

An administrative charge of Rs. 4,300, including all taxes, will be applicable in such a case. If the application for cancellation is received 9 days before the test date, the balance of IELTS test fees of Rs. 12,900, inclusive of all taxes, will be refunded to the candidate within 10 – 12 working days from the date of application. Requests received less than 9 days before the test date will not be accepted, and no refund will be given to the candidate.

UKVI Minimum Score Requirement to Get into the UK Universities

As an international student, you must demonstrate a satisfactory standard of spoken and written English to support your application. 

To study in the UK, an IELTS score of 6.0 to 7 is generally accepted by most UK universities. 

Recommended read: Study in the UK without IELTS

Summary

In this blog, you will explore UKVI IELTS, a Secure English Language Test (SELT) approved by the UK government for visa and immigration purposes. It clarifies that UKVI IELTS serves as proof of English proficiency for individuals applying to live, work, or study in the UK. This test is similar to the standard IELTS but meets UK immigration requirements. Additionally, it covers the key differences between IELTS and UKVI IELTS, including their purposes, approval by the UK Home Office, test formats, and result documentation. The blog also apprises about UKVI IELTS fees, cancellation policies, and the minimum IELTS score required for admission into UK universities, which typically ranges from 6.0 to 7.0. Moreover, the blog also explains that while the UKVI IELTS is tailored for UK immigration, its scores can be used for university applications in other countries like Australia, the US, Canada, and more.

FAQs 

1. Can I study in the UK without IELTS?

​Yes, studying in the UK without taking the IELTS exam is possible.​ Several universities accept alternative proof of English proficiency, such as the University of Bristol, Aston University, University of Warwick, and Swansea University. 

2. What is the minimum score for UKVI IELTS to get into UK universities?

To get into UK universities, you need to get a minimum score of 6.0 to 7.0 on the UKVI IELTS.

3. How much does the UKVI IELTS examination fee cost?

The examination fee varies based on format and location. In India, it is 17,250 INR.