United Kingdom · Settlement and citizenship
IELTS level for UK settlement (ILR) and British citizenship
Applicants aged 18 or over for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) or British citizenship must currently prove English at CEFR B1 or above, for example with IELTS Life Skills B1. From 26 March 2027 settlement on most routes needs B2.
Set by UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office). Checked against the official source on 23 October 2026.
Scores required
Test: IELTS Life Skills B1, or IELTS for UKVI
Level: CEFR B1 in speaking and listening (B2 for settlement from 26 March 2027)
Scores are minimums: the score in each skill must be at least the figure shown.
What else to know
- The test assesses speaking and listening. IELTS Life Skills B1 is graded pass or fail.
- IELTS for UKVI is also on the approved list: at least 4.0 in each skill counts as B1.
- Only English tests on the approved SELT list count; GCSEs, A levels and NVQs do not. A degree taught or researched in English can also meet the requirement.
- An expired B1 or higher result can be used for citizenship if it was accepted when you settled.
- Some people are exempt, for example those aged 65 or over.
Recent and announced changes
Statement of changes HC 1691 (laid 5 March 2026) raises the settlement requirement from B1 to B2 for applications made on or after 26 March 2027, on routes including Skilled Worker, Global Talent, UK Ancestry, Long Residence and family routes. No change to the citizenship level had been announced when we checked.
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Prove your knowledge of English for citizenship and settlingwww.gov.uk/english-language
- GOV.UK news: Higher standard of English now required to settle in the UKwww.gov.uk/government/news/higher-standard-of-english-now-required-to-settle-in-the-uk
- GOV.UK: Explanatory memorandum to HC 1691www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-changes-to-the-immigration-rules-hc-1619-5-march-2026/explanatory-memorandum-to-the-statement-of-changes-in-the-immigration-rules-hc-1691-5-march-2026-accessible
Figures confirmed by hand on 23 October 2026; sources last checked automatically on 23 October 2026. Requirements change: the official source always decides.
Preparing for this score
Only speaking and listening count for this requirement. Practise everyday conversations, answering follow-up questions and following spoken instructions. If you take IELTS Life Skills, the test is a short face-to-face conversation with an examiner and another candidate.
See how close you are to the score you need
Take a timed mock test and get estimated band scores for each skill, with the errors that are costing you marks.
Try a mock testOther requirements in United Kingdom
- NMC (nurses, midwives and nursing associates)Listening 7.0, reading 7.0, writing 6.5, speaking 7.0
- GMC (doctors)Overall 7.5; 7.0 in each skill
- HCPC (allied health professions)Overall 7.0; 6.5 in each skill
- GPhC (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians)Overall 7.0; 7.0 in each skill
- Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas5.5 in each skill; CEFR B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening
- Student visaCEFR B2 for degree-level study; CEFR B1 below degree level
This page summarises a published requirement. It is not immigration or legal advice, and we cannot advise on individual cases: for that, use the official body or a regulated adviser. IELTS is a registered trademark. IELTS Prep Studio is not affiliated with or endorsed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, or Cambridge Assessment English.