How to take the B1 English test for British permanent residence? List of recognized exams + people exempted from exams

What English tests are recognized for permanent residence (SELT list)

After November 2015, only exams from the Ministry of Home Affairs’ SELT (Secure English Language Test) list and taken at the designated test center will count. Currently, common options for B1 are:

🗣️ face-to-face oral examination type : IELTS Life Skills B1, Trinity GESE Grade 5 (examination in the UK).

💻 computer-based test : Pearson PTE Home B1, LanguageCert International ESOL SELT B1.

For exams taken outside the UK, the overseas list also includes PSI Skills for English UKVI. Before registering, be sure to make sure that the name of the exam contains the words "SELT / UKVI / Life Skills" . The regular version does not count. Scores are usually valid for 2 years and (some expired old scores are still acceptable under certain conditions, subject to GOV.UK instructions).

Can I take the English test for permanent residence without taking the exam? 5 categories of exempted people

Not everyone has to spend money to take the exam. B1 can be exempted if any of the following conditions apply (some even Life in the UK is exempted):

① must be over 65 years old at the time of application : English and Life in the UK are both exempt, just present passport/birth certificate of age.
② is under 18 years old .
③ Nationals of countries where English is the main language : such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Malta, and many Caribbean countries such as Jamaica and Barbados.
④ holds a degree taught in English : Obtain a degree equivalent to a British undergraduate degree or above, taught/researched in English. British degrees are directly available; overseas degrees require grade and teaching language certification from Ecctis (formerly UK NARIC) .
⑤ Long-term physical and mental illness resulting in inability to take the exam: doctor’s certificate is required and case review is required.

💡 Reminder: Exempting "English" does not mean exempting "Life in the UK". Except for certain groups such as those over 65 years old and under 18 years old, most applicants still need to pass the Life in the UK test even if they are exempted from B1.

English requirements for permanent residence or upgrading to B2? Suggestions for action before 2027

The government has released a signal that it plans to raise the English language threshold for some permanent residence paths to B2 (a higher level) starting from 2027 . The specific details are subject to the official announcement of the Ministry of the Interior, but the direction is clear: the sooner you meet , the less worry you will have .

Three things you can do now: check early whether you have met the requirements or are exempt, don’t buy the wrong exam version, and align the score validity period with the permanent residence window. It is easy to miscalculate the time lines of the number of days of departure and continuous residence. You can use 永居计算器 APP to calculate the time to the day. If you are not sure about exemption qualifications, you can also consult with our licensed lawyers.

This article is for reference only. Please consult a licensed attorney for specific circumstances, and the latest rules of GOV.UK shall prevail.

📌 Let’s chat in the comment area: , which B1 exam are you going to take, or do you meet the exemption conditions? At which step are you stuck? Tell us about your visa type and we’ll help you figure it out. If you find it useful, collect this article and check it out again before handing it over for permanent residence. Don’t fall into any trap on the last night.

[Data source] GOV.UK: Prove your knowledge of English (including approved qualifications and exemptions)

https://www.gov.uk/english-language · https://www.gov.uk/english-language/exemptions

Dealing with a UK legal matter? JustiScript can help