UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)

If you are looking to live, work or study in the UK, then you will need to apply for the appropriate visa through UK visas and Immigration (UKVI) in order to do so. Trinity College London is here to help you understand which UK visa is right for you.

English test for UK visas

To be able to get a work, study or family visa for the UK, you may need to take an English language test to prove your ability to speak, listen, write or read English. There are different levels of Secure English Language Tests - also known as SELTs - that use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (or CEFR) guidance to assess your abilities. Which SELT test you will need to take will depend on the type of visa you're applying for.

Which English test do I need for a spouse/family and live in the UK visa?

If you’re applying for a spouse or family visa in the form of Further Leave to Remain you will need to take a SELT test depending on whether this is a visa extension or not. The Secure English Language Test (SELT) you’ll need for each are:

Visa type
Visa description
SELT test
Further Leave to Remain
  • Family partner
  • Family parent

For those that are either a partner or family member of a:

  • British national
  • Person settled in the UK (ie a person with ILR)
  • Person with EU Settlement Scheme pre-settled status
  • Person who has UK refugee leave or humanitarian protection
  • Person who has a Turkish ECAA worker or business person visa

Further Leave to Remain Visa Extension

  • Family partner
  • Family parent

For those that are either a partner or family member of a:

  • British national
  • Person settled in the UK (ie a person with ILR)

  • Person with EU Settlement Scheme pre-settled status
  • Person who has UK refugee leave or humanitarian protection
  • Person who has a Turkish ECAA worker or business person visa

Indefinite Leave to Remain

  • Settlement/ Permanent Residency

If you have lived and/or worked in the UK for 5 years you may be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.

British Citizenship

  • Naturalisation

For those that have lived in the UK for 5 years and had one of the following for 12 months:

  • indefinite leave to remain in the UK

  • ‘settled status’ (also known as ‘indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme’)
  • indefinite leave to enter the UK (permission to move to the UK permanently from abroad)

Which English test do I need for a work visa?

If you’re staying in the UK for an extended period of time to work, then you may need to apply for a work visa; but which one you need will depend on the type of work you’re in the country to do. The visa types along with the Secure English Language Test (SELT) you’ll need for each are as follows:

Visa type
Visa description
SELT test

Representative of an Overseas Business visa

For employees of an overseas newspaper, news agency or broadcasting organisation posted on a long-term assignment to the UK.

International Sportsperson visa (T2)

For elite sportspersons or qualified coaches, recognised by their sport’s governing body as being at the highest level of their profession internationally.

Skilled Worker visa

For those who are coming to or staying in the UK to do an eligible job with an approved employer.

Health and Care Worker visa

For medical professionals who are coming to or staying in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier or in adult social care.

Scale-up Worker visa

For those wanting to come to the UK to do an eligible job for a fast-growing UK business (sometimes called a ‘scale-up business’).

Minister of religion visa (T2)

For those who have been offered a job within a faith community (for example as a minister of religion, missionary, or member of a religious order) in the UK.

Innovator visa

For those wanting to set up and run an innovative business in the UK - it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market OR those with a business or business idea has been endorsed by an approved body, also known as an endorsing body .

Start-up visa

For those wanting to set up an innovative business in the UK - it must be something that’s different from anything else on the market

Which English test do I need for a study visa?

When applying for a student visa, it’s important to understand not only which SELT test you need to take, but the specific conditions of the university or college you’ve applied to study at. Education providers may require a higher level of English language proficiency than UKVI requests - please ensure you check with your sponsor with regard to their individual requirements.

Visa type
Visa description
SELT test

Study visa - below degree level*

For those aged 16 or over and who have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor.

Study visa - degree level and above**

For those aged 16 or over and who have been offered a place on a course by a licensed student sponsor.

Please note that with the above visa types, some study sponsors may require you to take a different type of SELT test on top of the one you need to take for your UKVI. For example:

  • *If you’re coming to the UK to study for qualifications such as GCSE, A-Level, BTEC, diploma, NVQ etc, then your sponsor might need you to take a B2 English test
  • **If you’re coming to the UK to study at university, then your sponsor might need you to take a C1 English test as well as a B1 for your UKVI

For the most up-to-date information on the course you’re looking to study and the visa type you’ll need, it’s best to check the UK Government website. If you’re still unsure which SELT test is the right choice for you, you can speak to the Trinity team at 0333 358 3183 or selt@trinitycollege.co.uk

How do I get a SELT test for a UK visa?

Getting a Secure English Language Test (SELT) as part of your UK visa application is easy. Book directly with a UKVI approved SELT provider. This also protects your booking should you need to change the date, and allows you to take advantage of other services such as Trinity’s Exam Protect that allows you to retake for free should you not pass your initial exam.

For more reasons to book your SELT test through Trinity, go to Why Choose Trinity.

Why choose Trinity for your SELT exam?

Real-life accredited examiners

Trinity College London uses human examiners to run SELT tests. This allows for more flexibility than computer-adapted tests do.

 

Convenient locations

With over 20 SELT test centres across the UK, Trinity offers tests seven days a week. You can choose from 100's of slots based on the date, time, and location that works best for you.

Learn more

Fast indication of result

Provisional GESE results are emailed by 9am the day after the exam, a link to access your digital certificate is emailed within 4-7 days after the exam date.

Learn more 

Trinity Exam protect

For just £30 (on top of your exam fee), Exam Protect will allow you to:

  • Book one retake
  • Reschedule your test once

Available to buy up to 24 hours before your test time.

Learn more

Ready to book a SELT test?

Book your SELT test now

UK Visas and Immigration frequently asked questions

If you’re just visiting the UK, then you can stay here without a visa for up to 6 months. Beyond this time limit, you will need a UK visa to either work, study or live in the UK. This can vary depending on what country you’re travelling from, so it’s best to check the most recent guidance from the UK Home Office before you plan your journey to the UK.

To be able to get a UK visa, you’ll need to apply for one through UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI). How you get a visa depends on a few factors, such as:

  • Why do you want to come to the UK
  • How long you’re staying in the UK
  • Which country you’re coming from
  • Your skills and personal circumstances

Depending on the immigration route you’re taking, you may need to either prove your speaking and listening ability in English, or you might have to prove that you can speak, listen, read and write in English. For example, you only need to prove your speaking and listening English skills for the following visa types:

  • Sportsperson
  • Representative of an Overseas Business
  • Partner
  • Parent
  • Settlement (also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain)
  • Citizenship

For the following, you’ll need to prove that you can read and write in English as well as speak and listen:

  • Innovator
  • Start-up
  • Skilled Worker
  • Minister of Religion
  • Student

If you book your SELT test through Trinity College London, we refer to our speaking and listening English language tests as Graded Examinations in Spoken English (GESE), and our speaking, listening, reading and writing English language tests as Integrated Skills in English (ISE). If you’re still unsure which is the right one for you, either visit our SELTs page, speak to us at 0333 358 3183 or email selt@trinitycollege.co.uk for assistance.

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