IELTS Life Skills A1, A2 and B1: Which Level for Which UK Visa (and the 2027 B2 Change)
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills explained: test format, which level UK family and settlement routes ask for, and what the B2 speaking and listening rule from 26 March 2027 means. Official sources checked 2 November 2026.
Quick answer
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills is a speaking and listening test approved as a UK SELT at A1, A2 and B1 only, graded Pass or Fail. UK partner and parent routes ask for A1 first and A2 at extension. For settlement applications made on or after 26 March 2027, the Immigration Rules require B2 speaking and listening, which Life Skills does not offer.
| Life Skills level | What GOV.UK rules use it for (checked 2 Nov 2026) | After 26 March 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| A1 | First partner or parent application under Appendix FM | No change found in the rules checked |
| A2 | Further leave after an A1-based grant (E-LTRP.4.1A) | No change found in the rules checked |
| B1 | Settlement (ILR) applications made before 26 March 2027 | Not enough for settlement; B2 required |
| B2 | Not available as a Life Skills test | Required for settlement; four-skill acceptance not confirmed |
Sources: Appendix FM (GOV.UK) (updated 8 Oct 2026), Appendix KoLL (GOV.UK) (updated 26 Mar 2026), Appendix Settlement Family Life (GOV.UK) (updated 3 Aug 2026), UKVI SELT guidance (GOV.UK) (updated 26 Oct 2026) and IELTS for UKVI Life Skills format (IELTS.org), all checked 2 November 2026. This is general information, not immigration advice.
What IELTS Life Skills is
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills is the IELTS speaking and listening test for UK visa and immigration purposes. According to IELTS.org (IELTS for UKVI Life Skills format (IELTS.org)), you take it with an examiner and one other test taker, and it takes around 20 minutes. The tasks are designed to reflect everyday communication in an English-speaking country, with short discussions on topics such as personal details and experiences, family and friends, buying goods, work, health, leisure, education and training, transport, housing and the weather.
There is no reading or writing component, and no band score. IELTS.org's UKVI page lists the result for each Life Skills level as a Pass (IELTS for UKVI (IELTS.org)). GOV.UK names "IELTS Life Skills" alongside "IELTS for UKVI" as the two IELTS products approved as Secure English Language Tests (SELTs), and says SELT results are valid for 2 years from the date the test is awarded (UKVI SELT guidance (GOV.UK)).
| Fact | Official detail | Source (checked 2 Nov 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Skills tested | Speaking and listening only | IELTS.org Life Skills format page |
| Format | With an examiner and one other test taker | IELTS.org Life Skills format page |
| Length | Around 20 minutes | IELTS.org Life Skills format page |
| Levels | A1, A2 and B1 (CEFR) | IELTS.org and the GOV.UK approved SELT lists |
| Result | Pass at the level taken | IELTS.org IELTS for UKVI page |
| Where | In person at an official IELTS for UKVI centre | IELTS.org IELTS for UKVI page |
| A2 availability | IELTS.org says A2 is only offered in the UK | IELTS.org Life Skills format page |
| Validity for UK applications | 2 years from the date the test is awarded | GOV.UK SELT page |
| Reference number | Shown on the result as the UKVI number | GOV.UK SELT page |
Which level for which UK route
IELTS.org describes the three levels by purpose: A1 for visas for the "family of a settled person", A2 for "extension to a family, spouse or partner", and B1 for "citizenship or indefinite leave to remain" (IELTS for UKVI Life Skills format (IELTS.org)). The Immigration Rules on GOV.UK are the binding source, so the table below maps each level to the rule that uses it.
| Application | Level in the rules | Rule text (checked 2 Nov 2026) | Can Life Skills meet it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partner or parent entry clearance | A1 speaking and listening | Appendix FM E-ECP.4.1 (and E-ECPT.4.1 for parents) | Yes, Life Skills A1 |
| Partner or parent leave to remain (first time meeting the requirement) | A1 speaking and listening | Appendix FM E-LTRP.4.1 (and E-LTRPT.5.1) | Yes, Life Skills A1 |
| Further leave after a grant based on A1 | A2 speaking and listening | Appendix FM E-LTRP.4.1A (and E-LTRPT.5.1A) | Yes, Life Skills A2 |
| Settlement (ILR) under Appendix KoLL, applied before 26 March 2027 | B1 speaking and listening | Appendix KoLL | Yes, Life Skills B1 |
| Settlement (ILR) under Appendix KoLL, applied on or after 26 March 2027 | B2 speaking and listening | Appendix KoLL | No, Life Skills has no B2 level |
| 10-year partner or parent settlement, applied before 26 March 2027 | B1 speaking and listening | Appendix Settlement Family Life SETF 5.1 | Yes, Life Skills B1 |
| 10-year partner or parent settlement, applied on or after 26 March 2027 | B2 speaking and listening | Appendix Settlement Family Life SETF 5.1 | No, Life Skills has no B2 level |
Sources: Appendix FM (GOV.UK), Appendix KoLL (GOV.UK), Appendix Settlement Family Life (GOV.UK) and the approved SELT lists on UKVI SELT guidance (GOV.UK), all checked 2 November 2026. Exemptions exist; Appendix FM, for example, exempts nationals of listed majority English speaking countries, applicants aged 65 or over, and some applicants with a disability. GOV.UK's family visa page also explains other ways to prove English, such as a degree taught in English (Family visa: knowledge of English (GOV.UK)).
The 2027 change: B2 speaking and listening for settlement
Two appendices of the Immigration Rules now contain date-based wording. Appendix KoLL, which sets the English requirement for many settlement routes, says that where the date of application is before 26 March 2027 the applicant must have passed an approved speaking and listening test at a minimum of B1, and where it is on or after 26 March 2027, at a minimum of B2. In both cases the test must have been taken at an approved SELT centre no more than two years before the date of application (Appendix KoLL (GOV.UK), page updated 26 March 2026).
Appendix Settlement Family Life uses the same dates for the 10-year partner and parent route. SETF 5.1 requires B1 in speaking and listening for applications made before 26 March 2027 and "at least level B2" for applications made on or after that date, unless an exemption applies (Appendix Settlement Family Life (GOV.UK), page updated 3 August 2026). The same structure appears in SETF 15.1 for children on that route.
KoLL also changes how earlier grants count. For applications made before 26 March 2027, an applicant whose current leave was granted on the basis of an English qualification at a minimum of B1 can rely on it. For applications made on or after 26 March 2027, the earlier leave must have been granted on the basis of a qualification at a minimum of B2 (Appendix KoLL (GOV.UK)).
| Situation | Before 26 March 2027 | On or after 26 March 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| New speaking and listening test for settlement (KoLL) | Minimum B1 | Minimum B2 |
| 10-year partner or parent settlement (SETF 5.1) | At least B1 | At least B2 |
| Relying on earlier leave granted on an English qualification (KoLL) | That qualification was at least B1 | That qualification was at least B2 |
| Test age limit (KoLL) | Taken no more than 2 years before the application | Taken no more than 2 years before the application |
| Highest Life Skills level available | B1 | B1 (no B2 test exists) |
Some older pages have not caught up. GOV.UK's family visa page still says a B1 result can be reused for settlement after 5 years (Family visa: knowledge of English (GOV.UK)), and IELTS.org's UKVI page still lists B1 for indefinite leave to remain without mentioning 2027 (IELTS for UKVI (IELTS.org)). Neither page shows a 2027 note as of 2 November 2026. The appendices quoted above contain the dated rule, so rely on them and recheck before applying.
KoLL also keeps a narrow provision for some applicants with at least 15 years of continuous leave on listed routes, who may rely on an A2 speaking and listening qualification together with evidence from a qualified English teacher; for applications on or after 26 March 2027 that teacher evidence refers to B2 instead of B1. Read the exact wording in Appendix KoLL (GOV.UK) if this could apply to you.
What we could not verify
The following points are not stated clearly in the official sources we checked on 2 November 2026. We list them so you can ask the right questions rather than rely on guesses.
| Question | What the official sources say | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Will a four-skill IELTS for UKVI result (5.5 in each component, listed by IELTS.org as B2) be accepted for the B2 speaking and listening settlement requirement? | Appendix English Language EL 6.1 asks for a pass at the required level in each required component; no page we checked says yes or no for this specific case | Unverified |
| Will the Home Office approve a two-skill (speaking and listening) B2 test? | The approved SELT lists checked on 2 November 2026 show no two-skill B2 test from any provider | Unverified; no announcement found |
| Exact duration of each Life Skills level | IELTS.org gives around 20 minutes for the test without a per-level breakdown | Unverified; only third-party figures found |
| Will IELTS.org or GOV.UK family visa pages be updated for 2027? | No 2027 note on either page as of 2 November 2026 | Unknown |
What each Life Skills level expects
IELTS.org says every level checks whether you can listen and respond, make your meaning clear, and talk with other people (IELTS for UKVI Life Skills format (IELTS.org)). The difference between levels is how complex the language and tasks become. The table summarises the official descriptions; the example prompts in the last column are our own illustrations, not official test content.
| Level | You are expected to (paraphrased from IELTS.org) | Extra task types IELTS.org lists | Our example prompt |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Follow simple narratives, questions and single-step instructions; give basic information, feelings and opinions on familiar topics | Describing, giving personal information, stating preferences, asking for information, agreeing and disagreeing, suggesting, selecting | Tell your partner about your family and ask about theirs |
| A2 | Follow straightforward information, short narratives, explanations and instructions; talk with one or more people to reach shared understanding | A1 tasks plus comparing, prioritising, planning, persuading | Plan a weekend trip together and agree on the best transport |
| B1 | Follow straightforward explanations; communicate with appropriate formality; make relevant points and respond to others | A1 and A2 tasks plus showing contrast, cause, reason or purpose, narrating, asking about past or future events, expressing certainty or possibility | Explain why you changed jobs and what you expect to happen next |
Life Skills or IELTS for UKVI?
Both are IELTS products on the GOV.UK approved SELT list, but they do different jobs. Life Skills tests only speaking and listening at fixed CEFR levels. IELTS for UKVI is a four-skill test with band scores, which IELTS.org maps to CEFR levels for UKVI purposes.
| Feature | IELTS for UKVI Life Skills | IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General Training) |
|---|---|---|
| Skills | Speaking and listening | Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking |
| Result | Pass or Fail at A1, A2 or B1 | Band score per component and overall |
| B1 equivalent listed by IELTS.org | Life Skills B1 Pass | 4.0 in each component |
| B2 equivalent listed by IELTS.org | Not available | 5.5 in each component |
| C1 equivalent listed by IELTS.org | Not available | 7.0 in each component |
| Typical use | Family routes and, before 26 March 2027, settlement | Study, work and other routes that ask for four skills |
Sources: IELTS for UKVI (IELTS.org) and UKVI SELT guidance (GOV.UK), checked 2 November 2026. Whether a four-skill result is accepted for a speaking and listening only requirement is listed as unverified above. For university and student visa requirements, see IELTS for UK universities and UKVI.
Booking, results and preparation
- 11. Confirm the level against the current rulesCheck the appendix for your route on GOV.UK on the day you book, especially if your application date could fall on or after 26 March 2027.
- 22. Book the exact product nameGOV.UK asks applicants to make sure the test they book is the one approved for SELT. Book IELTS for UKVI Life Skills at the level you need, at an official IELTS for UKVI centre. Our guide on how to book IELTS covers choosing a centre.
- 33. Bring the right IDFollow your test centre's identity instructions exactly.
- 44. Keep your UKVI numberGOV.UK says you must include your SELT reference number in the application, and that for IELTS it appears on the result as the UKVI number.
- 55. Watch the two-year windowSELT results are valid for 2 years from the date the test is awarded, and KoLL asks for a test taken no more than two years before the application. See how long IELTS results are valid.
- Practise short conversations with another person, not only answers to an examiner, because the test includes one other test taker.
- Practise the task types listed for your level, such as comparing and planning at A2, or narrating and giving reasons at B1.
- Listen to everyday announcements, instructions and short explanations, because listening is assessed through your responses.
- Ask for repetition or clarification politely when you do not understand; talking with others to reach shared understanding is part of what is assessed.
Results timing varies by centre and region; IELTS does not publish one UK-wide figure for Life Skills that we could verify, so ask your centre. For general IELTS timings, see the IELTS results timeline. Our Speaking practice can help you rehearse everyday topics, although it is IELTS-style practice rather than a Life Skills mock test.
IELTS Life Skills FAQ
What is the IELTS Life Skills test?+
It is the IELTS for UKVI speaking and listening test at CEFR levels A1, A2 and B1. You take it with an examiner and one other test taker, it lasts around 20 minutes, and the result is a Pass or Fail at the level taken.
Which Life Skills level do I need for a UK spouse or partner visa?+
Appendix FM asks for A1 speaking and listening for a first partner application. If your earlier grant was based on A1, the rules ask for A2 when you apply for further leave. Exemptions apply in some cases.
Can I use IELTS Life Skills B1 for indefinite leave to remain after 26 March 2027?+
Not on the rule text checked on 2 November 2026. Appendix KoLL and Appendix Settlement Family Life require B2 speaking and listening for applications made on or after 26 March 2027, and Life Skills is only available up to B1.
Is there an IELTS Life Skills B2 test?+
No. IELTS.org lists only A1, A2 and B1, and the GOV.UK approved SELT lists checked on 2 November 2026 show no two-skill B2 test from any provider.
Will IELTS for UKVI with 5.5 in each skill count as B2 for settlement?+
IELTS.org lists 5.5 in each component as B2, but we did not find an official statement confirming that a four-skill result meets the speaking and listening only B2 settlement requirement. Check GOV.UK or ask a regulated adviser.
How long is a Life Skills result valid for UK applications?+
GOV.UK says SELT results are valid for 2 years from the date the test is awarded, and Appendix KoLL asks for a test taken no more than two years before the date of application.
Is A2 Life Skills available outside the UK?+
IELTS.org says the A2 test is only offered in the UK, while the GOV.UK list of approved tests taken outside the UK includes an A2 entry. Confirm with your test centre before booking.
Does my application date or my test date decide whether B1 or B2 applies?+
The settlement rules checked for this guide refer to the date of application: before 26 March 2027 the level is B1, and on or after that date it is B2.