English Test for UK Settlement Visa

[Laab Muu]

Hi everyone,

 

My wife (Thai national) is looking to start the process of applying for a UK settlement visa. We are unsure as to what exactly the English test requirements are.

 

*What is the name of the English test she must pass - is it IELTS A1?  - We are a little confused about the requirements here, A1, B1, life skills etc.

 

*Are there any test/training centres in the North East (Ubon Ratchathani perhaps)?

 

*What is the validity period for the test once taken, ie does she have a certain time after passing the test to use it to apply for a visa before she would have to take a new test?

 

*What is the timeframe for registering to take the test and getting a usable results notice?

 

 

To clarify, we are married 8 years, I'm now living and working in UK, she wishes to join me to work and live in the UK on a settlement visa.

 

Thanks for any help.

 

Laab Muu (name changed due to forum rules)

[7by7]

On ‎05‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 7:38 AM, Laab Muu said:

*What is the name of the English test she must pass - is it IELTS A1?  - We are a little confused about the requirements here, A1, B1, life skills etc.

She needs to pass a test approved by UKVI. Click here for the list of approved test providers, The approved test are in Table 1 on page 1. 

 

For her initial visa she needs A1 in speaking and listening.

 

On ‎05‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 7:38 AM, Laab Muu said:

*Are there any test/training centres in the North East (Ubon Ratchathani perhaps)?

 

The approved test centres in Thailand are on page 13 of the list, and they are all in Bangkok!

 

There are doubtless English schools in your area and there are various commercial companies offering tuition and practice tests online for fee ( I can't recommend a particular one; Google is your friend): but A1 is a very basic level and if she is confident in speaking to you she should be able to pass the test.

 

I am not recommending this particular company; but their fact sheet explains the level required for A1 very well.

 

I don't know if it's still the case; but some test centres used to insist that candidates take the reading and writing part of the test; but if they still do failing these parts doesn't matter as far as her visa application is concerned, as long as she passes speaking and listening.

 

On ‎05‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 7:38 AM, Laab Muu said:

*What is the validity period for the test once taken, ie does she have a certain time after passing the test to use it to apply for a visa before she would have to take a new test?

 

2 years; unless the pass has previously been used in a successful UK visa or leave to remain application; which, of course, for your wife it wont have been.

 

On ‎05‎/‎05‎/‎2017 at 7:38 AM, Laab Muu said:

*What is the timeframe for registering to take the test and getting a usable results notice?

 No idea about the first; I guess it depends on how busy they are and how often they hold tests; contact the providers to find out.

 

Your wife should have her certificate within 7 days. But she does not need this for her application. She will be given a unique SELT (Secure English Language Test) number, and simply enters this in the appropriate place on the application form.

[brewsterbudgen]

She can do the A1 test at IDP or The British Council in Bangkok. Some language schools now do specific Life Skills courses but if her English is adequate she is unlikely to need to do one. Passing requires minimal English but does require interaction/communication skills. The OP is welcome to PM me for more details.

[brewsterbudgen]

To answer some of 7by7's questions, registration is quick and, for IDP anyway, closes a week or so before the test date. I would advise booking about 3 weeks before. Results are sent around 10 days after the test. Tests are usually held 3-4 times a month.

Only speaking and listening is assessed, although candidates can make notes during the test, and this can help them with the listening, otherwise they have to rely on memory.

[Laab Muu]

Thank you both very much for the excellent replies, it is exactly the information I was looking for and very much appreciated.

 

Thanks again for your time and effort. :-)

[Laab Muu]

Hi gents, apologies in advance, but I just want to double check we are booking the correct test.

 

I'm booking through The British Council, and on the booking page I get a mixture of choices one of which specifically mentions UKVI, and the other which mentions A1.

 

Is it correct that I need the to book the first test out of the below?

 

Thanks again.

 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

You need the IELTS Life Skills A1 test not IELTS General Training. The latter is higher level and has Reading and Writing components.

[Laab Muu]

^Thank you!

[rasg]

How good is your wife's English? UKVI recently changed the goalposts for FLR to A2. It used to be, until a few months ago, that the test passed for a Settlement visa would carry your wife to through to ILR in five years time, when she would need B1. Now she will need A2 for FLR. If her English is good it's worth taking A2 or even B1 so she then wouldn’t need to take either again, if the Government don't change the goalposts again. At £150 a pop it's worth a thought.

[brewsterbudgen]

How good is your wife's English? UKVI recently changed the goalposts for FLR to A2. It used to be, until a few months ago, that the test passed for a Settlement visa would carry your wife to through to ILR in five years time, when she would need B1. Now she will need A2 for FLR. If her English is good it's worth taking A2 or even B1 so she then wouldn’t need to take either again, if the Government don't change the goalposts again. At £150 a pop it's worth a thought.

If she takes the B1 test for the purposes of the initial visa, will it still be valid for FLR?

[7by7]

6 hours ago, brewsterbudgen said:

If she takes the B1 test for the purposes of the initial visa, will it still be valid for FLR?

Yes.

 

If a test has been previously used for a successful visa or leave to remain application then it can be used again in subsequent ones and for a naturalisation application; even if the certificate has expired and/or the provider is no longer on the approved list.

[brewsterbudgen]

Yes.
 
If a test has been previously used for a successful visa or leave to remain application then it can be used again in subsequent ones and for a naturalisation application; even if the certificate has expired and/or the provider is no longer on the approved list.

Thanks, I didn't know that.

The IELTS Life Skills B1 test has a higher language requirement and the candidate has to participate in a short planning exercise. But it's still easily passable for someone with adequate English. It can be taken in Bangkok at IDP or the British Council.

[bobrussell]

B1 is not that daunting for anyone with fair to good English skills. Would save further tests (except Life in the UK) unless they change the ground rules!

[Laab Muu]

Thanks again for all the input. I think this time around my Mrs will just go the A1 route. Trying to keep the process as simple as possible after the visit visa refusal last year, another problem this time around would crush her confidence.

[rasg]

5 hours ago, Laab Muu said:

Thanks again for all the input. I think this time around my Mrs will just go the A1 route. Trying to keep the process as simple as possible after the visit visa refusal last year, another problem this time around would crush her confidence.

Entirely your choice but she will then need A2 for FLR.

 

My wife took her test at Trinity college in Hammersmith. It's a bit different to the Thai version but it worth a look at the difference in the tests. Take a look at the Trinity tests to see the difference. Tabs on the right for more and A2.

 

 

If there is a Thai equivalent, I have no doubt somebody will post it.

 

 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

Entirely your choice but she will then need A2 for FLR.
 
My wife took her test at Trinity college in Hammersmith. It's a bit different to the Thai version but it worth a look at the difference in the tests. Take a look at the Trinity tests to see the difference. Tabs on the right for more and A2.
 
 
If there is a Thai equivalent, I have no doubt somebody will post it.
 
 
 

In Thailand I think the only approved UKVI test providers are IDP and the British Council, and the A1/B1 IELTS Life Skills tests.

[rasg]

That's what I don't know but it would be good to find some videos of the real tests from Thailand.

[brewsterbudgen]

15 hours ago, rasg said:

That's what I don't know but it would be good to find some videos of the real tests from Thailand.

I doubt there are many videos of the IELTS Life Skills tests specifically from Thailand, but there are plenty of videos of the test in other countries.  The format/questions are the same anywhere in the world it is taken.  The IELTS website also has practice test materials, but no videos.

 

https://www.ielts.org/~/media/pdfs/ielts-life-skills-sample-paper-a-level-a1.ashx

 

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ielts+life+skills+a1+speaking+and+listening

Edited May 10, 2017 by brewsterbudgen

[athousand]

My fiance just got her A1 certificate today, after taking the test last week. We had to book quite a way in advance - around two weeks I think at a fairly hefty cost. We went to IDP in Silom. My fiance had to sit the test twice so it took over an hour - apparently they test the candidates in pairs for the speaking part, and the first candidate she was paired with could barely speak a word of English, so she had to go again with the next one. Apart from that, they were very professional and all went smoothly. 

 

Having read this thread,  I'd known we could apply for a higher level, we should probably have gone for the next level up (B1?) but too late now. 

 

I have one question which is, for the language requirement, is the only document we need to supply for the spouse settlement visa application the A1 original test certificate (and a copy if sending the documents to Sheffield)?

Edited May 11, 2017 by athousand

[brewsterbudgen]

My fiance just got her A1 certificate today, after taking the test last week. We had to book quite a way in advance - around two weeks I think at a fairly hefty cost. We went to IDP in Silom. My fiance had to sit the test twice so it took over an hour - apparently they test the candidates in pairs for the speaking part, and the first candidate she was paired with could barely speak a word of English, so she had to go again with the next one. Apart from that, they were very professional and all went smoothly. 
 
Having read this thread,  I'd known we could apply for a higher level, we should probably have gone for the next level up (B1?) but too late now. 
 
I have one question which is, for the language requirement, is the only document we need to supply for the spouse settlement visa application the A1 original test certificate (and a copy if sending the documents to Sheffield)?

If she was asked to do the test again, immediately after her test, it was because she was chosen to be a "dummy" candidate as there was an odd number of candidates and every test must have 2 candidates. The "dummy" is not assessed. Congratulations to your fiancee!

[athousand]

I forgot to mention that in my opinion, IDP seemed like a well run organisation. The email correspondence was very responsive and at one time, I mixed up my dates, and their employee immediately spotted the mistake, so helped me avoid missing the test date!

 

I hadn't realised about the dummy thing - that makes sense. The wait wasn't a big deal.

 

Of all our visa experiences so far, and especially compared to my experience at VFS the day before, this was all good. 

 

 

[rasg]

2 hours ago, athousand said:

My fiance just got her A1 certificate today, after taking the test last week. We had to book quite a way in advance - around two weeks I think at a fairly hefty cost. We went to IDP in Silom. My fiance had to sit the test twice so it took over an hour - apparently they test the candidates in pairs for the speaking part, and the first candidate she was paired with could barely speak a word of English, so she had to go again with the next one. Apart from that, they were very professional and all went smoothly. 

 

Having read this thread,  I'd known we could apply for a higher level, we should probably have gone for the next level up (B1?) but too late now. 

 

I have one question which is, for the language requirement, is the only document we need to supply for the spouse settlement visa application the A1 original test certificate (and a copy if sending the documents to Sheffield)?

I have wondered about that where the test relies on a conversation between two Thais both going for the test. I read a remark from somebody recently whose wife had done the test in Thailand. The other candidate spoke English so fast, his wife was unable to understand her.

 

I like the calm measure way the tests are done in the UK with very clear speakers doing the testing.

 

The next one up is A2 which is the minimum your wife will need for FLR. B1 is currently needed for ILR.

 

 

 

[Laab Muu]

2 hours ago, athousand said:

I forgot to mention that in my opinion, IDP seemed like a well run organisation. The email correspondence was very responsive and at one time, I mixed up my dates, and their employee immediately spotted the mistake, so helped me avoid missing the test date!

 

I hadn't realised about the dummy thing - that makes sense. The wait wasn't a big deal.

 

Of all our visa experiences so far, and especially compared to my experience at VFS the day before, this was all good. 

 

 

What was the cost at IDP?

 

Thanks.

[brewsterbudgen]

I have wondered about that where the test relies on a conversation between two Thais both going for the test. I read a remark from somebody recently whose wife had done the test in Thailand. The other candidate spoke English so fast, his wife was unable to understand her.
 
I like the calm measure way the tests are done in the UK with very clear speakers doing the testing.
 
The next one up is A2 which is the minimum your wife will need for FLR. B1 is currently needed for ILR.
 
 
 

Cambridge are very strict about how the test has to be conducted. Each candidate is assessed separately and low level candidates usually benefit from being paired with a higher level candidate. The Life Skills test was created by Cambridge University (who part own IELTS) and is also used in the UK.

Sent from my SM-A500F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[brewsterbudgen]

What was the cost at IDP?
 
Thanks.

I believe it is 7,395 baht.

Sent from my SM-A500F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[rasg]

Interesting. I wonder why the tests in the UK are so different to those in Thailand.

[brewsterbudgen]

Interesting. I wonder why the tests in the UK are so different to those in Thailand.

I think because UKVI wanted a slightly different format for non-UK based applicants. IELTS won the contract to administer the tests in Thailand and many other countries. The Life Skills test is, however, a Cambridge University test that was used for many years in the UK. If you go on YouTube you can see lots of examples.

[7by7]

19 hours ago, athousand said:

I have one question which is, for the language requirement, is the only document we need to supply for the spouse settlement visa application the A1 original test certificate (and a copy if sending the documents to Sheffield)?

 

She doesn't supply the certificate or any other document.

 

From Immigration rules Appendix O: approved English language tests

Quote

Tests taken outside the UK

 

For tests taken on or after 6 April 2015: no document required (scores will be verified using the IELTS SELT Consortium online system using a unique reference number which should be stated on the application form).

 

This number will be noted as her SELT (Secure English Language Test) or UER (Unique Electronic Reference) number on her certificate or notification of her pass.

[athousand]

I'm looking at the IELTS certificate and don't see either of the fields you are referring to - there is no SELT or UER number. 

 

Would this be the 'Test Report Form Number' ? I can't see anything else that would be equivalent.

Edited May 13, 2017 by athousand

[7by7]

14 hours ago, athousand said:

Would this be the 'Test Report Form Number' ?

On page 1 of the approved providers list, under "Documents required with application" for all IELTS tests it says

Quote

No documents required.  Please provide your SELT unique reference number on your application form. This can be found on your TRF displayed as UKVI number.

 

Maybe best to contact her test provider for confirmation if not sure?

Edited May 14, 2017 by 7by7