What is a Secure English Language Test?

A Secure English Language Test (SELT) is an English test, from a Home Office approved provider, that you can use as proof of English in some UK visa, settlement and citizenship applications. After you pass, you receive a unique reference number. The Home Office checks your result online with the test provider, and the result is valid for 2 years.

How a Secure English Language Test works

A Secure English Language Test, or SELT, is the kind of English test the Home Office accepts as proof of English on many routes. You book it with an approved provider, take it at an approved test location and receive a result.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)}

For your result to be accepted, three things must be true. The test must be on the list of approved English language tests. It must have been sat at an approved test location. It must have been awarded in the two years before the date of your application.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)}

The Immigration Rules say the same thing in different words. The requirement is met if you give a valid digital reference number from an approved provider. It must show you passed an approved test to the required level in each required component, in the 2 years before your application.^{[2]Home Office, Immigration Rules Appendix English Language} The level you need is explained in the English language requirement page.

Two kinds of test

GOV.UK says there are 2 types of test, because different routes need different English abilities.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)}

Which CEFR level you need depends on the route. The guidance tells you to read the specific guide for your immigration route.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)}

Approved providers and test names

You can only take a SELT with an approved provider. Inside the UK those are Trinity College London, the IELTS SELT Consortium, LANGUAGECERT and Pearson. Outside the UK they are PSI Services (UK) Ltd, the IELTS SELT Consortium, LANGUAGECERT and Pearson.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)}

The version you book must be the approved one. GOV.UK names these, among others: IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills, PTE Academic UKVI or PTE Home, Skills for English UKVI from PSI Services, and the Trinity College London Secure English Language Tests for UKVI. LANGUAGECERT has its own approved versions.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)} It is for you to decide which approved test to take.

What happens on the day

At the test you must prove who you are. Your identity document must be current and valid, an original with your photo, and match the details you gave when you booked. In the UK and abroad you can use a passport, a convention travel document or a stateless persons travel document. In the UK only, you can use an eVisa through a share code.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)}

Emergency travel documents will not be accepted. If you cannot prove your identity, you will not be allowed to take the test.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)}

After you pass, you receive a SELT unique reference number. You use it on your application, and you do not send any documents. The Home Office checks the result using each provider’s online verification system. If you do not include your reference number, your application may be refused.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)}

Example

Aisha is applying to join her husband on a partner visa. The GOV.UK family visa page says she needs at least level A1 for a first application. She books a speaking and listening test from an approved provider and checks that it is the SELT version.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)[3]Home Office, Family visas: Knowledge of English}

She books under the name on her passport and takes her original passport to the test. When she passes, she copies the unique reference number from her result. She enters it on her application within 2 years of the date the test was awarded. She does not send a certificate.

What people get wrong

A common mistake is booking the wrong version of a well-known test. Only the named SELT versions are accepted, so an ordinary test with the same brand name does not count.

A second mistake is the name. The details used to book must be the same as on your passport or other identity document. If your surname has changed, you must book in the name on your document, or change the document first.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)}

A third is using an unofficial booking agent. GOV.UK says to check that a third party is recognised by the test provider and that its fees are the same as or lower than the provider’s website.^{[1]UK Visas and Immigration, Prove your English language abilities with a secure English language test (SELT)}

The bottom line

A SELT is the Home Office approved way to prove English where a route needs a test. You pick an approved provider, book the correct SELT version, show original ID and quote the reference number on your application. The result lasts 2 years. Check the English level and skills your route needs before you book.