United Kingdom · Visa and migration
IELTS score for the UK Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas
New Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker applicants must prove English at CEFR level B2. On IELTS for UKVI, B2 means at least 5.5 in each of the four skills.
Set by UK Visas and Immigration (Home Office). Checked against the official source on 23 October 2026.
Scores required
Test: IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General Training)
- listening
- 5.5
- reading
- 5.5
- writing
- 5.5
- speaking
- 5.5
Level: CEFR B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening
Scores are minimums: the score in each skill must be at least the figure shown.
What else to know
- The test must be an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as IELTS for UKVI. Standard IELTS is not a SELT.
- The Home Office list of approved tests sets IELTS for UKVI at 5.5 in each skill for B2. There is no overall band requirement.
- SELT results must have been awarded in the two years before you apply.
- You can also meet the requirement with certain UK school qualifications in English, a UK degree, or a degree taught in English and confirmed by Ecctis.
- Nationals of the listed majority English-speaking countries are exempt, and so are doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives who passed an English assessment accepted by their regulator.
- If you held the visa before 8 January 2026 and are extending or updating it, the level is B1 and you do not need to prove it again.
Recent and announced changes
Raised from B1 to B2 for new applications from 8 January 2026 (statement of changes HC 1333). From 26 March 2027, Skilled Worker settlement applicants will need B2 in speaking and listening (HC 1691).
Official sources
- GOV.UK: Skilled Worker visa, knowledge of Englishwww.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english
- GOV.UK: Health and Care Worker visa, knowledge of Englishwww.gov.uk/health-care-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english
- GOV.UK: Prove your English with a SELTwww.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt
- Home Office: list of approved English tests (spreadsheet)assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68da41cd750fcf90fa6ffb33/List_of_approved_Secure_English_Language_Tests_taken_outside_the_UK+_1_.ods
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
This route uses IELTS General Training scores. Each skill counts separately, so one weak skill can hold back the whole application: find it early.
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
- Student visaCEFR B2 for degree-level study; CEFR B1 below degree level
- Family visa (partner or spouse)CEFR A1 for a first application; A2 to extend after 2.5 years; B1 for settlement after 5 years
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.