A1 English Test for Spouse Visa: Approved Tests, Cost, Format and How to Pass (2026)

What is the A1 English test for a spouse visa?

It is a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at CEFR level A1, the most basic level, that checks you can understand and use simple everyday English. The UK requires it for a first spouse or partner visa unless you are exempt. It tests only speaking and listening: there is no reading or writing, and you do not need a band score, just a pass.

A1 means you can introduce yourself, answer simple questions about your family, home and daily routine, and understand slow, clear speech on familiar topics. The level rises as you move through the spouse route: A2 for the extension after 2.5 years, then B1 for settlement. The UK spouse visa guide explains each stage.

Which A1 English tests are approved for a UK spouse visa?

The Home Office approves five A1 speaking and listening tests: IELTS Life Skills A1, PTE Home A1, LanguageCert International ESOL SELT A1, Trinity GESE Grade 2 (UK only) and PSI Skills for English UKVI A1 (outside the UK only). The test must be on the approved list and taken at an approved test centre, or it will not be accepted.

What is IELTS Life Skills A1?

IELTS Life Skills A1 is the IELTS speaking and listening test for UK visas at level A1. You take it face to face with an examiner and one other candidate, it lasts about 20 minutes, and the result is pass or fail. It covers everyday topics like family, home, shopping, work, health, transport and the weather.

Life Skills is the most widely available A1 test, with centres across the UK and in many countries. Because you speak with a real examiner and another candidate rather than a computer, many people find it more natural than recorded-response tests.

What does the A1 English test consist of?

In IELTS Life Skills A1 you listen to short recordings and answer questions about them, and you speak with the examiner and the other candidate. Typical tasks include giving personal information, describing people or places, stating preferences, giving simple opinions and asking for information. You are assessed on whether you can listen, respond and make your meaning clear.

Example A1 questions and model answers

These are examples written by our trainer in the style of the test, not real test questions.

• Examiner: "Where do you live?" Good answer: "I live in Lahore, with my parents. It is a big city."
• Examiner: "What do you like to do at the weekend?" Good answer: "I like cooking and I visit my sister on Sundays."
• Partner task: plan a shopping trip together. Good answer: "Shall we go on Saturday? I need bread and rice. What do you need?"

Short, complete sentences are enough at A1. What matters is that you answer the question that was asked and keep the conversation going, including asking your partner a question.

How much does the A1 English test cost?

IELTS Life Skills A1 costs between £182 and £209 at British Council centres in the UK, depending on location. In India it costs ₹18,000 with IDP. Prices in other countries, and for PTE Home, LanguageCert and Trinity tests, are set by each provider, so check the provider's site for your country before booking.

The test fee is small next to the visa itself (£2,064 from outside the UK, plus the health surcharge), but a fail adds a retake fee and can delay your application, so it is worth preparing properly. Prefer a computer-based test? Our PTE Home and PTE UKVI guide explains Pearson's A1 option.

How to book the A1 English test

1. 1

   Pick an approved test

   Choose from the five approved A1 tests above; IELTS Life Skills A1 and PTE Home A1 are the most widely available.

2. 2

   Find an approved centre

   Book through the provider's official site: the British Council in the UK and many countries, IDP in India, Pearson for PTE Home.

3. 3

   Use your passport details

   Book with the same passport you will use for your visa application, and bring it on test day.

4. 4

   Book early enough

   Leave time to retake if needed before your planned application date.

5. 5

   Keep your reference number

   You will enter it in your visa application so the Home Office can check your result.

Is the A1 English test difficult?

For most people with basic English, no. A1 is the lowest CEFR level, and the test checks simple everyday communication, not grammar perfection or advanced vocabulary. People usually fail because of nerves, one-word answers or misunderstanding the instructions, not because the English is too hard. A few weeks of speaking practice with feedback is normally enough.

How to pass the A1 test

• Practise talking about yourself, your family, your home and your daily routine in full sentences.
• Learn to ask simple questions: "What about you?", "Do you like...?", "Where do you work?"
• If you do not understand, ask: "Can you repeat that, please?" This is allowed and shows good communication.
• Practise with a partner, because Life Skills includes a task with another candidate.
• Listen to slow, clear English daily: short announcements, simple conversations, numbers and times.

IELTS Life Skills A1 vs B1: which should you take?

Take A1 if you only need your first spouse visa and want the easiest pass. Consider taking A2 or B1 now if your English is strong enough, because a higher pass can be reused later: an A2 or higher result can count at the extension stage, and a B1 or higher result can count for settlement, as long as the test is still approved.

Does the A1 English test expire?

For a first partner visa, the Home Office only accepts an approved English test taken no more than 2 years before the date of your application. So in practice, plan to apply within 2 years of passing. If your result is older than that, you will need to take the test again.

Time your test so that you can apply soon after passing, ideally once your financial and relationship evidence is nearly ready, using our spouse visa document checklist. That avoids having to retake if your application date slips. An out-of-date certificate is one of the common spouse visa refusal reasons.

Who does not need the A1 English test?

• Nationals of majority English-speaking countries on the GOV.UK list, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, Jamaica and Malta.
• People with a degree taught in English (an overseas degree needs confirmation from Ecctis). See English requirements for UK family visas.
• People aged 65 or over.
• People with a physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement.