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IELTS Life Skills for UK Visas and Immigration
IELTS Life Skills is for people who need to show their English speaking and listening skills at Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels A1 or B1. IELTS Life Skills is designed to meet the requirements of UK Visas and Immigration for certain visa categories and other immigration purposes.
IELTS Life Skills is available at two levels:
IELTS Life Skills – A1 Speaking and Listening. This test is for UK visas and immigration for a “family of a settled person”.
IELTS Life Skills – B1 Speaking and Listening. This test is for UK visas and immigration for “indefinite leave to remain or citizenship” visa.
The focus of IELTS Life Skills
At each level, the test is designed to assess whether you can listen and respond, make your meaning clear, and talk with other people.
Face-to-face Speaking and Listening tests
You will take the test with an examiner, and with one other test taker. You will be expected to take part in short discussions on everyday subjects.
Test dates for IELTS Life Skills
If you need an IELTS test for UK visa applications, you can only take them at a UKVI approved IELTS test centre. In New Zealand, only IDP IELTS Auckland is UKVI approved. We offer all the approved IELTS tests for UK visa applications. To register for a test, please visit here.
Prepare for your IELTS Life Skills test.
Download the free sample tests to help you prepare for your IELTS Life Skills test - Level A1 and Level B1
- Life Skills Sample Paper A
- Life Skills Listening Sample A
- Life Skills Sample Paper B
- Life Skills Listening Sample B
Frequently asked questions
Format of the Speaking and Listening test
IELTS Life Skills test format
There are two main parts to IELTS Life Skills.
Test times for IELTS Life Skills
For IELTS Life Skills you only need to attend one short session to complete the test. The times allowed for each level are:
Assessment of IELTS Life Skills
You will be assessed on your ability in four key areas:
At times during the test, you will be allowed to take notes to prepare your answers. The examiner will not mark your notes – only your speaking and listening skills are marked during the test.
Test results are normally available within seven days of your test.
You will get one of two results:
A fail result means that you have not been successful and your test cannot be used for your visa application.
You will take the test face-to-face with an examiner, and with one other test taker. You will participate in a structured conversation listening and responding to a selection of tasks.
The tasks in IELTS Life Skills are designed to reflect the everyday experience of communicating in an English-speaking country. You will be expected to take part in short discussions on everyday subjects including:
A1 Speaking and Listening
You will be expected to:
Tasks may include:
