Which English test is required for a UK spouse visa extension?
Meeting the English language requirement at A2 level for a spouse visa extension can be confusing, and many applicants choose to seek guidance from an experienced immigration lawyer in Sheffield to ensure the correct test and evidence are submitted.
For a standard 5 year partner route (spouse visa) extension
You must show at least A2 CEFR in speaking and listening at the time of the FLR(M) application, if this is your first extension after around 2.5 years in the UK.
If you previously passed an English test at A2 or higher (B1–C2) with an approved SELT provider for a successful earlier partner application, you can normally reuse that result at extension, provided the test is still on the UKVI approved list and has a valid SELT URN.
The test must be a Secure English Language Test (SELT) taken at a Home Officeapproved test centre and you must include the SELT unique reference number (URN) in your application.
A1 English test for UK Spouse visa
The A1 English test applies mainly to firsttime spouse/partner visa applicants, not to the standard extension, but it is closely linked and important for longterm planning.
| Stage / Situation | English Level Required | Who It Applies To | Test Type & Conditions | Accepted Examples / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First spouse visa application | A1 CEFR | First-time spouse/partner applicants | Must pass a SELT at a Home Office-approved test centre | IELTS Life Skills A1, LanguageCert A1 SELT, Trinity GESE Grade 2 |
| First spouse visa extension (5-year route) | A2 CEFR | Applicants extending after about 2.5 years in the UK | Speaking & listening only; SELT required; include SELT URN with FLR(M) | IELTS Life Skills A2; LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A2 (Speaking & Listening); Trinity GESE Grade 3 (A2) – SELT for UKVI (UK test centers); Skills for English UKVI A2 (PSI); Pearson PTE Home A2 |
| Reusing a previous English test | A2 or higher (B1–C2) | Applicants who passed an approved test for an earlier partner application | Test must still be on the UKVI approved list and have a valid SELT URN | No need to retake if conditions are met |
| Later application for ILR | B1 CEFR | Partners applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain | Must also pass the Life in the UK Test | Some applicants choose to sit B1 early for long-term planning |
| Test format requirement | — | All spouse visa stages | Secure English Language Test (SELT) only | Non-UKVI English tests are not accepted |
| Skills assessed | — | All SELT tests for spouse visas | Speaking and listening only | Reading and writing not required |
Does a spouse need English test in the UK?
The Immigration Rules do not insist on “IELTS Academic” or “IELTS General Training” specifically, but they do require an approved SELT at the correct CEFR level; several SELT brands include “IELTS” in their name.
Important distinctions:
For spouse/partner visas, the Home Office only tests speaking and listening, so the most common choice is IELTS Life Skills (A1, A2 or B1) – a SELT version designed for family visas, ILR and citizenship.
Standard (nonUKVI) IELTS Academic or General Training certificates without a SELT URN are not accepted for spouse visas, even if the scores are high.
Where applicants need a fourskill test for work or study as well as family immigration, they may use IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General Training) or another fourskill UKVI SELT, but this is usually more than is required for a spouse visa alone.
It is also important to understand whether asylum seekers can apply for a spouse visa in the UK, as the rules are different from standard applications
Who is exempt from the English test for a UK spouse visa extension?
Under Home Office policy, some applicants are exempt from the English language test requirement for a spouse/partner application or extension. You may not need to take a new English test if any of the following applies:
Age or medical exemption: You are under 18 or over 65, or you have a long-term physical or mental condition that makes learning English or taking the test unreasonable (you will normally need medical evidence).
Nationality exemption: You are a citizen of a majority English-speaking country (for example, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or certain Caribbean countries) and you can prove this with your passport.
Degree taught in English: You have a degree-level qualification taught or researched in English, either in the UK or overseas, with Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) confirmation that it is equivalent to a UK bachelor’s degree or higher.
Completed 5 years on a family route: You are already in the UK and have completed 5 years on a family visa as a partner or parent and are now applying to extend; in these cases, further English testing may not be required.
Key points for English requirement for extension:
- For an initial UK spouse/partner visa under Appendix FM (entry clearance from abroad or first in country FLR(M)), you must usually pass an approved English test at minimum A1 CEFR in speaking and listening.
- The test used must be a SELT from an approved provider (for example IELTS Life Skills A1, Language Cert A1 SELT, or Trinity GESE Grade 2), taken at a Home Officeapproved test center listed on the UKVI SELT guidance.
- If your English is strong enough, you can choose to sit A2 or B1 at the first application; doing so can make it easier to reuse the same result for your future spouse visa extension, subject to current rules and approvedtest lists at that time.
- For Kash Legal Services clients, assessing whether to take A1 only or a higher level at the start is part of strategic planning for the full 5year spouse route to ILR.
How Kash Legal Services Helps with Spouse Visa Extensions
Kash Legal Services provides clear and reliable support for spouse visa extensions, with advice based on current Home Office guidance and practical immigration law experience. We help clients identify the correct English test or exemption, ensure the right evidence is submitted, and prepare applications in a clear and compliant manner, reducing stress and the risk of refusal.