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Not Sure Which SELT You Need?
Contact us for a free consultation. We will advise on the right SELT level for your visa, assess your current English level and book you onto the right preparation course.
Book a Free ConsultationA SELT (Secure English Language Test) is an official English language test approved by the UK Home Office for visa and immigration applications. If you are applying for a UK visa that requires proof of English, you will almost certainly need to pass a SELT at the right level.
SELT stands for Secure English Language Test. These are English language tests that have been approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) — the part of the Home Office that processes visa applications.
Not every English test qualifies as a SELT. Only tests approved by UKVI and delivered by approved test providers such as Trinity College London can be used for UK visa applications. A general English qualification is not automatically a SELT. If you choose IELTS, make sure you book an IELTS product specifically approved for UKVI/SELT purposes and appropriate for your route.
The SELT level you need depends on the type of visa you are applying for. There are four SELT levels corresponding to CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) levels:
The lowest SELT level. Required for family visa applicants (spouses and partners) entering the UK for the first time. Tests Speaking and Listening only.
Required when extending a family visa after entering the UK. Also covers Speaking and Listening.
Required for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and naturalisation as a British citizen. Can cover all four skills or Speaking and Listening only depending on the test.
For many new Skilled Worker and related work-route applicants, B2 is now required. Transitional rules can apply — for example, some people extending or updating a Skilled Worker visa held before 8 January 2026 may still be subject to B1 requirements. Always check the current GOV.UK rule for your route before booking.
If you take a SELT in the UK, GOV.UK currently lists Trinity College London, IELTS SELT Consortium, LANGUAGECERT and Pearson as approved providers. Trinity College London offers SELT options including:
A Speaking and Listening test available at A1 (Grade 2), A2 (Grade 3) and B1 (Grade 5) levels.
A four-skill test covering Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. Available at B1 (ISE I) and B2 (ISE II) levels.
The most effective way to prepare for a SELT is targeted preparation with an experienced tutor who knows the format of the test and the communication skills and task demands commonly assessed in SELT preparation.
Elite Language Solutions offers SELT preparation courses at all levels — A1, A2, B1 and B2. Our exam-focused preparation reflects the quality and focus of our preparation courses.
We do not administer the official SELT test — you will sit the test at a UKVI-approved test centre such as a Trinity College London centre. We prepare you to walk into that test fully ready.
A SELT (Secure English Language Test) is an official English language test approved by the UK Home Office for visa and immigration applications. If you are applying for a UK visa that requires proof of English, you will almost certainly need to pass a SELT at the right level.
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Book a Free Consultation
Contact us for a free consultation. We will advise on the right SELT level for your visa, assess your current English level and book you onto the right preparation course.
Book a Free Consultation