The UK Home Office has introduced new changes to the English language testing requirements for visa applicants, replacing the previous LANGUAGECERT ESOL SELT (4-skills) test with two new alternatives: the LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT and the LANGUAGECERT General SELT.
Announced in a statement on Monday, the change officially took effect from January 1, 2025.
Previously, the ESOL SELT covered all four core language skills—listening, reading, writing, and speaking—and served as a general test for various visa and immigration categories. Under the new system, the tests have been split to better reflect the needs of different applicants:
- LANGUAGECERT Academic SELT is tailored for those applying for student visas or aiming for admission into UK higher education institutions. The test focuses on academic language proficiency, assessing the ability to handle university-level coursework in English.
- LANGUAGECERT General SELT is designed for work-related visas, such as the Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker routes. It evaluates real-world English usage in everyday and professional contexts.
Though both tests still assess reading, writing, speaking, and listening, their structure and content are aligned to better match the specific purposes of applicants.
Validity of Previous Results
The Home Office confirmed that results from the now-discontinued ESOL SELT test remain valid for two years. Existing vouchers can still be used within 12 months.
Routes Requiring Full 4-Skills Testing
Applicants in the following visa categories must take a test that includes reading, writing, speaking, and listening:
- Health and Care Worker
- High-Potential Individual
- Innovator Founder
- Minister of Religion
- Scale-up Worker
- Skilled Worker
- Start-up
- Student
- Temporary Work – International Agreement (for private servants in diplomatic households)
Routes Requiring Only Speaking and Listening
Applicants under these categories are only required to take tests assessing speaking and listening:
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- Citizenship
- International Sportsperson
- Parent
- Partner
- Representative of an Overseas Business
- Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Approved Test Providers
Applicants must take their SELT with an approved provider:
- Within the UK: Pearson, Trinity College London, IELTS SELT Consortium, and LANGUAGECERT
- Outside the UK: Pearson, PSI Services (Skills for English UKVI), IELTS SELT Consortium, and LANGUAGECERT
The Home Office urges all applicants to ensure they select the appropriate test and provider based on their visa category.
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