LANGUAGECERT SELT for UK Visas — Choose the Right Test for Your Visa Route
Need an English test for a UK visa? Start by choosing the correct SELT exam, level and skills.
LANGUAGECERT is an approved Secure English Language Test provider for UK Visas and Immigration.
Depending on your visa route, you may need either:
Speaking & Listening or Listening + Reading + Writing + Speaking (4-skills)
at a specific CEFR level.
Important
LANGUAGECERT SELT exams are NOT taken online from home.
You book and pay online, but you take the exam in person at an approved LANGUAGECERT SELT Test Centre. LANGUAGECERT currently operates SELT centres in more than 200 locations worldwide, with frequent test slots.
Find a LANGUAGECERT SELT Test Centre
Check current UK Government SELT rules
Save 5% on your LANGUAGECERT SELT exam
GLOBAL PROMO CODE
EB93A5
5% OFF YOUR SELT EXAM FEE
WORKS GLOBALLY
Valid until year end.
Enter the code during online registration and make sure the discount has been applied before completing payment.
Open the LANGUAGECERT SELT booking system
Which LANGUAGECERT SELT do I need?
The easiest way to choose is by your purpose.
Living in the UK, family, settlement or citizenship
You normally need LANGUAGECERT International ESOL SELT Speaking & Listening.
Typical levels are:
A1 — first Family visa
A2 — Family visa extension
B1 — settlement / ILR or British citizenship
Working in the UK
Most current work routes that require all four English skills use:
LANGUAGECERT General SELT
For many new work-visa applications, the current requirement is B2, although some routes and transitional cases are different.
Studying in the UK
If you need a SELT for a UK Student visa, use:
LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT
Normally:
B1 — study below degree level
B2 — degree level or above
A Higher Education Provider can sometimes assess English itself for degree-level study, so a SELT is not required in every Student visa case. Always check with your university or sponsor before booking.
UK visa SELT exam guide
| Your visa or purpose | Minimum level | Skills | LANGUAGECERT exam |
| Family visa — first application as partner / spouse / parent | A1 | Speaking & Listening | International ESOL SELT A1 |
| Family visa — extension after 2.5 years | A2 | Speaking & Listening | International ESOL SELT A2 |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain / Settlement | B1 | Speaking & Listening | International ESOL SELT B1 |
| British Citizenship / Naturalisation | B1 | Speaking & Listening | International ESOL SELT B1 |
| International Sportsperson — where English evidence is required | A1 | Speaking & Listening | International ESOL SELT A1 |
| Representative of an Overseas Business — where route applies | A1 | Speaking & Listening | International ESOL SELT A1 |
| International Agreement / Temporary Work | B1 | 4 Skills | General SELT |
| Skilled Worker — new applications | B2* | 4 Skills | General SELT |
| Health & Care Worker — new applications | B2* | 4 Skills | General SELT |
| Scale-up Worker — new applications | B2* | 4 Skills | General SELT |
| High Potential Individual | B2 | 4 Skills | General SELT |
| Minister of Religion | B2 | 4 Skills | General SELT |
| Innovator Founder | B2 | 4 Skills | General SELT |
| Student visa — below degree level | B1 | 4 Skills | Academic SELT |
| Student visa — degree level or above | B2 | 4 Skills | Academic SELT |
Important notes
* Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker and Scale-up rules changed in 2026. Some applicants who already held permission under the previous B1 rules may remain subject to transitional B1 requirements. Check your exact route before booking.
For Student visas at degree level or above, a Higher Education Provider may sometimes assess your English itself instead of requiring a SELT.
Visa rules change. Always check the current GOV.UK page for your exact route before purchasing your test.
Check current UK English-language requirements
Family, settlement or citizenship? The Speaking & Listening route is simple.
If you need:
A1, A2 or B1
for a family, settlement or citizenship route, LANGUAGECERT International ESOL SELT tests only:
Speaking + Listening
There is no Reading or Writing component in these tests.
They are short computer-based exams taken at a secure SELT Test Centre, and you communicate with a real examiner.
A1
Approximately 8–9 minutes
Typical use: first Family visa application and certain A1 routes.
A2
Approximately 9–11 minutes
Typical use: Family visa extension after 2.5 years.
B1
Approximately 11–13 minutes
Typical use: Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Citizenship.
Official results for these Speaking & Listening exams are normally available in 3 working days, while provisional results may be available much sooner.
Limited-time offer: get 2 chances to pass
FREE re-sit for SELT Speaking & Listening
LANGUAGECERT is currently promoting a free re-sit option for its Speaking & Listening SELT tests.
That means eligible candidates taking:
- A1 Speaking & Listening
- A2 Speaking & Listening
- B1 Speaking & Listening
can currently receive an additional attempt under the promotional re-sit conditions if the first attempt is unsuccessful.
Two chances for the price of one
The current offer is advertised as a limited-time promotion and the free re-sit is applied automatically as part of the eligible booking.
Because campaign terms can change, confirm that the free re-sit offer is still active when you register.
You can also use promo code
EB93A5
SAVE 5%
WORKS GLOBALLY
Open the ESOL SELT registration guide
Working in the UK? Choose LANGUAGECERT General SELT
LANGUAGECERT General SELT is the current four-skills SELT product primarily designed for UK work-visa routes.
It assesses:
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
and is available from A2 to C1.
The exam is taken at a secure SELT Test Centre and official results are normally issued within 5 working days.
For new applications, several major work routes now require B2, including:
- Skilled Worker
- Health & Care Worker
- Scale-up Worker
- High Potential Individual
- Minister of Religion
- Innovator Founder
The International Agreement route currently uses B1.
Open the General SELT registration guide
Studying in the UK? Choose LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT
LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT is the current four-skills SELT designed for UK Student visa use.
It tests:
Listening + Reading + Writing + Speaking
and reports levels from B1 to C2.
For Student visa purposes:
below degree level → normally B1
degree level or above → normally B2
LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT is taken only at an approved SELT Test Centre and results are normally available within 5 working days.
Important
Do not confuse:
standard LANGUAGECERT Academic
with
LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT
If your UK immigration route specifically requires a SELT, you need the SELT product booked through the SELT route and taken at an approved SELT centre.
See LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT
Open the Academic SELT registration guide
Book online — take your exam at a Test Centre
This distinction needs to be extremely clear.
Registration is online
You can:
- choose your test
- choose your country and city
- choose an available SELT Test Centre
- choose your exam date and time
- create your candidate profile
- enter promo code EB93A5
- pay online
LANGUAGECERT currently advertises frequent daily slots and, where available, booking up to about 24 hours before the exam.
The exam itself is NOT online from home
You must physically attend the approved SELT Test Centre that appears in your booking.
All LANGUAGECERT SELT exams are delivered through the approved SELT centre network.
Find your nearest SELT Test Centre
What happens on test day?
Arrive at the SELT Test Centre approximately 30 minutes before your exam.
Bring the valid identification document required for your booking.
Centre staff will:
- verify your identity
- complete the security and check-in process
- provide secure storage for personal belongings where applicable
- guide you to your exam workstation
For Speaking & Listening exams, you complete the test on a computer but communicate with a real examiner.
Prepare for your SELT exam for free
LANGUAGECERT provides extensive official preparation materials for all current SELT products.
For A1, A2 and B1 Speaking & Listening you can access:
- practice papers
- listening extracts
- qualification handbooks
- sample interviews
- test-taker guides
- preparation webinars
For Academic SELT and General SELT, official resources also include:
- familiarisation videos
- practice papers
- digital practice
- writing samples
- computer-based test demos
- preparation tips
Open official LANGUAGECERT SELT preparation materials
LANGUAGECERT also currently provides free interactive B1 Speaking & Listening preparation activities.
How to book and save 5%
1. Check your visa route
Go to GOV.UK and confirm:
- your visa type
- whether you need to prove English
- whether a SELT is required
- the level you need
- the skills you need
2. Choose the correct LANGUAGECERT SELT
For family / settlement / citizenship:
International ESOL SELT Speaking & Listening
For most four-skills work routes:
General SELT
For Student visa use:
Academic SELT
3. Choose your test centre
Find a LANGUAGECERT SELT centre
4. Book online
Choose your centre, date and test slot.
5. Enter promo code
EB93A5
SAVE 5%
WORKS GLOBALLY
Valid until year end.
6. Confirm the discount
Make sure the discount is visible before completing payment.
7. Attend the test centre
Your booking is online.
Your SELT exam is taken in person at the approved centre.
Why choose LANGUAGECERT SELT?
Approved by the UK Home Office
LANGUAGECERT is an approved UK SELT provider and appears on the current GOV.UK approved-test list.
More than 200 SELT locations
LANGUAGECERT currently advertises test-centre availability in more than 200 locations worldwide.
Frequent test dates
Candidates can choose from frequent daily slots in many markets.
Fast results
Speaking & Listening tests normally provide official results in 3 working days.
Academic and General SELT results are normally available within 5 working days.
Real human interaction
Speaking assessment involves a real interlocutor rather than only an automated response system.
Free official preparation
LANGUAGECERT provides free practice material for all current SELT exam families.
Free re-sit promotion
Eligible Speaking & Listening candidates currently benefit from a free re-sit offer, subject to the current campaign terms.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take LANGUAGECERT SELT from home?
No.
All LANGUAGECERT SELT examinations must be taken at an approved SELT Test Centre.
You register, select the centre and pay online, but the actual exam takes place physically at the centre.
Do I need a SELT for every UK visa?
No.
Different routes have different ways to prove English, and some candidates are exempt or can use another qualifying document.
Use a SELT when your immigration route requires test-based evidence through an approved Secure English Language Test.
Which SELT do I need for a Family visa?
For a first qualifying Family visa application, the usual level is A1 Speaking & Listening.
For an extension after 2.5 years, the usual level is A2 Speaking & Listening.
Use LANGUAGECERT International ESOL SELT at the required level.
Which SELT do I need for Indefinite Leave to Remain?
Normally:
B1 Speaking & Listening
using LANGUAGECERT International ESOL SELT B1.
Which SELT do I need for British Citizenship?
Normally:
B1 Speaking & Listening
using LANGUAGECERT International ESOL SELT B1.
GOV.UK also has specific rules on reusing certain previous qualifying results, so check your circumstances before booking another test.
Which SELT do I need for a Skilled Worker visa?
For a new Skilled Worker application under the rules in force from 8 January 2026, the English requirement is normally B2 across all four skills.
LANGUAGECERT General SELT is the relevant four-skills SELT option.
Some applicants who previously held Skilled Worker permission under the old B1 requirement may fall under transitional rules.
Which SELT do I need for a Health & Care Worker visa?
For new applications, the current requirement is normally B2 across Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
Certain people extending or updating older permission may remain under earlier B1 arrangements.
Which SELT do I need for a Student visa?
If a SELT is required:
below degree level → Academic SELT B1
degree level or above → Academic SELT B2
At degree level or above, some Higher Education Providers can assess English themselves, so confirm with your sponsor before buying the test.
What is the free re-sit offer?
LANGUAGECERT currently advertises a free re-sit option for its Speaking & Listening SELT tests.
The promotion gives eligible candidates an additional chance if the first attempt is unsuccessful.
It is a limited-time offer, so check the current booking conditions when you register.
How quickly will I get my result?
For International ESOL SELT Speaking & Listening:
official results are normally available in 3 working days.
For Academic SELT and General SELT:
official results are normally available within 5 working days.
How long is my SELT result valid?
For a result used as a SELT in a UK immigration application, GOV.UK generally requires the approved test to have been awarded within the 2 years before the application, subject to specific exceptions and reuse rules for some settlement and citizenship cases.
Ready to book your UKVI SELT?
First:
check your visa route
then:
choose the correct test
then:
choose your approved SELT Test Centre
and finally:
book online and save.
GLOBAL SELT PROMO CODE
EB93A5
SAVE 5%
WORKS GLOBALLY
VALID UNTIL YEAR END
BOOK YOUR LANGUAGECERT SELT ONLINE
ESOL SELT A1/A2/B1 REGISTRATION GUIDE