English Test for British Citizenship (2026): B1 Tests, Exemptions and the Life in the UK Test
The English test for British citizenship is a Home Office approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) in speaking and listening at B1 level or higher, such as IELTS Life Skills B1. You also need to pass the separate Life in the UK Test. You can skip the English test if you are 65 or over, have a long-term condition, are from an exempt country or hold a degree taught in English.
Written by Sahil Sayed, CELTA-certified IELTS trainer · Requirements checked against GOV.UK on 5 October 2026
Key facts at a glance
- English level
- B1 or higher (CEFR) in speaking and listening
- Most common test
- IELTS Life Skills B1: about 22 minutes, Pass or Fail
- Alternative proof
- An academic degree taught or researched in English
- Exempt
- Aged 65+, long-term condition, or a national of an exempt country
- Life in the UK Test
- £50, 24 questions in 45 minutes, 75% to pass
- Citizenship fee
- £1,839 (£1,709 application + £130 ceremony)
What is the British citizenship test?
The 'British citizenship test' usually means two separate requirements for naturalisation. The first is the Life in the UK Test, about British history, traditions and law. The second is proof of English at B1 level or higher, usually through an approved English test. Unless you are exempt, you need both before you apply for citizenship.
| English language test | Life in the UK Test | |
|---|---|---|
| What it tests | Speaking and listening in English | British history, culture, law and traditions |
| Level or pass mark | B1 or higher | 75% (18 out of 24 correct) |
| Typical test | IELTS Life Skills B1 | One national test, booked on GOV.UK |
| Cost | About £182 to £209 (Life Skills B1, UK) | £50 |
| Can a degree replace it? | Yes, if taught or researched in English | No |
| Valid for | 2 years, unless it was accepted for your ILR | Does not expire |
Both requirements are also part of indefinite leave to remain (ILR). If you met them for settlement, you usually do not need to take them again for citizenship.
Which English test is required for British citizenship?
For British citizenship you need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) on the Home Office approved list, at B1 level or higher in speaking and listening, taken at an approved centre. The tests built for this are IELTS Life Skills B1, PTE Home B1, LanguageCert ESOL SELT B1 and Trinity GESE Grade 5. It is your choice which approved test you take.
| Test | Provider | What it covers | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Life Skills B1 | IELTS SELT Consortium (British Council, IDP) | Speaking and listening, about 22 minutes, taken in pairs | Pass or Fail |
| PTE Home B1 | Pearson | Speaking and listening on computer | Pass or Fail |
| LanguageCert ESOL SELT B1 | LanguageCert | Speaking and listening | Pass or Fail |
| Trinity GESE Grade 5 | Trinity College London | One-to-one spoken exam with an examiner | Pass, Merit or Distinction |
| IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI and other 4-skill SELTs | Various | Reading, writing, speaking and listening | Accepted if you reach B1 in speaking and listening |
Book the SELT version
Only the UKVI-approved versions count. Standard IELTS Academic or General Training, taken at a normal session, will not be accepted. Check the test name says 'Life Skills', 'UKVI', 'Home' or 'SELT' when you book.
Most applicants choose IELTS Life Skills B1 because it is short, tests only speaking and listening, and is available at many UK centres. See our IELTS Life Skills B1 guide for the format, tasks and sample questions.
What level of English do you need for British citizenship?
You need English at B1 level or higher on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), in speaking and listening. B1 is an intermediate level: you can talk about everyday topics, give opinions and follow clear speech. You do not need B2 for citizenship. The B2 requirement introduced in January 2026 applies to work visas such as Skilled Worker.
A B2, C1 or C2 qualification also meets the requirement, so if you already have a higher-level SELT you do not need a separate B1 test.
Can you use the English test from your ILR application?
Yes. GOV.UK says you can use a B1, B2, C1 or C2 qualification that has run out if it was accepted when you settled in the UK. It does not matter if the test is no longer on the approved list, and you do not need to take another test. Include the same evidence with your citizenship application.
If you got ILR on a route that did not require English, such as Skilled Worker, you will need to prove your English for citizenship. If you were exempt from the English requirement at settlement, you need to submit an exemption form again for citizenship.
Who is exempt from the English test for British citizenship?
You do not need to prove your English for citizenship if you are 65 or over, or if a long-term physical or mental condition prevents it, with an exemption form from a doctor. You are also exempt if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country on the GOV.UK list, or if you have an academic degree taught or researched in English.
GOV.UK lists these exempt nationalities: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland (for citizenship only), Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA.
English as an official language is not enough
If your country is not on that list, you must prove your English, even if English is an official language there. This applies to India, Pakistan, Nigeria and Ghana, for example.
Can you use a degree instead of an English test?
Yes. An academic degree taught or researched in English meets the requirement. A degree awarded by a UK institution counts, even if you studied outside the UK. For a degree from outside the UK, you need an Ecctis assessment confirming it is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or higher and was taught in English. Vocational degrees do not count.
An Ecctis check takes time and costs money, so compare it with the cost and speed of a B1 test before deciding. For many applicants the test is quicker.
How to book the English test for British citizenship
- 1
Check you need it
Confirm you are not exempt and do not already have an accepted qualification from your ILR application.
- 2
Choose an approved test
Pick IELTS Life Skills B1, PTE Home B1, LanguageCert ESOL SELT B1 or Trinity GESE Grade 5.
- 3
Book at an approved centre
Book through the provider's website, choosing a centre on the Home Office approved list. Online versions taken at home are not accepted.
- 4
Bring the right ID
Use the same original ID you booked with, usually your passport. Your name must match your booking exactly.
- 5
Keep your result
You need the certificate or online result reference for your citizenship application. Tests are valid for 2 years unless they were accepted for your ILR.
How much does the English test for British citizenship cost?
IELTS Life Skills B1 costs about £182 to £209 at British Council centres in the UK, depending on location. PTE Home, LanguageCert and Trinity set their own prices. On top of the English test, the Life in the UK Test costs £50 and the citizenship application costs £1,839, so most applicants spend about £2,070 to £2,100 in fees.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| English test (IELTS Life Skills B1, UK) | About £182 to £209 | Paid again if you fail |
| Life in the UK Test | £50 | Paid again for each attempt |
| Naturalisation application | £1,709 | Paid to the Home Office |
| Citizenship ceremony | £130 | Paid with the application |
Failing either test means paying again, so it is worth preparing properly the first time.
The Life in the UK Test: the second citizenship test
The Life in the UK Test has 24 multiple-choice questions on British traditions, history and law, and you have 45 minutes. You need 75%, which means 18 correct answers. It costs £50, must be booked on GOV.UK at least 3 days ahead, and questions come only from the official handbook. A pass never expires.
Read our full Life in the UK Test guide, how to cancel or reschedule the Life in the UK Test and what to do if you fail it.
British citizenship test questions and answers
The Home Office does not publish the real Life in the UK Test questions or answers, and 'answers PDFs' online are unofficial. Every question comes from the official handbook, Life in the UK: A Guide for New Residents, so studying that book and taking timed practice tests is the reliable way to prepare.
The English test is different: there are no question banks to memorise. Life Skills B1 asks you to talk about everyday topics such as work, family, transport and your local area, and to listen and respond to short recordings. Practising speaking out loud with feedback is what makes the difference.
Is the English test for British citizenship hard?
For most people who use English at work or daily life, the B1 test is not hard, but it is easy to fail through nerves or short answers. In Life Skills B1 you speak with an examiner and another candidate for about 22 minutes. You pass by answering fully, asking and answering questions, and showing you understood the recordings.
- Answer in full sentences and add a reason or example, not one-word answers.
- Ask your partner questions in the discussion task. Interaction is assessed.
- If you do not understand, ask the examiner to repeat. That is allowed and is not marked down.
- Practise with a timer and a partner, because the paired format is new to most people.
Want to pass B1 first time?
Sahil, a CELTA-qualified trainer, runs live online speaking practice for IELTS Life Skills B1 and IELTS for UKVI. Book a free consultation to check your level.
Book a free consultationWhat are the new rules for UK citizenship in 2026?
As of October 2026, GOV.UK still requires B1 English and a Life in the UK Test pass for citizenship. The higher B2 English level that started on 8 January 2026 applies to work routes such as Skilled Worker, not to citizenship. The government has proposed stricter settlement rules, so check GOV.UK for the rules on your application date.
Planning your citizenship test from India or abroad
Most citizenship applicants live in the UK and take both tests at UK centres. Family members helping from India or elsewhere can still support with preparation: our online classes run on UK and India time zones. If you are not sure which test applies to you, the English language requirements for UK visas guide compares every route.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, unless you are exempt, already have an accepted qualification from your ILR application, or have a degree taught in English. The requirement is B1 or higher in speaking and listening.
Most applicants choose IELTS Life Skills B1 because it only tests speaking and listening and takes about 22 minutes. PTE Home B1, LanguageCert ESOL SELT B1 and Trinity GESE Grade 5 are also accepted.
For ILR and citizenship you need an approved SELT at B1 or higher in speaking and listening, unless you are exempt. Some work routes, such as Skilled Worker, do not need a new English test for ILR.
IELTS Life Skills B1 costs about £182 to £209 at British Council centres in the UK. Other providers set their own prices.
Yes, but only IELTS Life Skills or IELTS for UKVI taken at an approved SELT centre. Standard IELTS Academic or General Training does not count.
The Life in the UK Test pass mark is 75%, which is 18 out of 24 questions. The English test is usually Pass or Fail at B1.
Approved tests are valid for 2 years. But if your B1 or higher result was accepted for your ILR, you can reuse it for citizenship even after it has run out.
No. People aged 65 or over do not need to prove their English or take the Life in the UK Test.
No. The Home Office only accepts approved SELTs taken at an approved test centre.
Pass your B1 English test first time
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Sources and how we checked this page
Every fee, rule and deadline on this page was checked against the official sources below on 5 October 2026. Immigration rules and fees change, so confirm the current position on GOV.UK before you apply or pay for anything.