PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Home: Complete Guide for UK Visas (2026)
PTE Academic UKVI is Pearson's Home Office approved English test for UK work and study visas; PTE Home A1, A2 and B1 cover family, settlement and citizenship applications. For a Skilled Worker visa in 2026 you need B2, which means at least 59 in each PTE skill. B1 routes need 43 in each skill, and PTE Home tests are simply pass or fail.
Written by Sahil Sayed, CELTA-certified IELTS trainer · Score requirements checked against the Home Office approved test list on 4 October 2026
Key facts at a glance
- Approved Pearson tests
- PTE Academic UKVI (4 skills) and PTE Home A1, A2, B1 (speaking and listening)
- B1 (PTE Academic UKVI)
- 43 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking
- B2 (PTE Academic UKVI)
- 59 in each skill (Skilled Worker since 8 January 2026)
- C1 (PTE Academic UKVI)
- 76 in each skill
- PTE Home result
- Pass or fail
- Where
- Approved Pearson test centres in and outside the UK
What is PTE Academic UKVI?
PTE Academic UKVI is the same computer-based test as PTE Academic, taken at a Home Office approved centre under extra security so the result can be used for a UK visa. It tests Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, and your result comes with a unique reference number that UK Visas and Immigration uses to check it.
The UK only accepts English tests from approved providers, called Secure English Language Tests (SELTs). Pearson is one of the four approved providers in the UK, alongside the IELTS SELT Consortium, LanguageCert and Trinity College London. Outside the UK, Pearson is approved alongside IELTS, LanguageCert and PSI.
Standard PTE Academic is not the same
A standard PTE Academic result is not a SELT, so you cannot use it for most UK visa routes. Universities may accept it for admission, but if your visa itself needs a SELT, book PTE Academic UKVI or PTE Home.
Which PTE test do you need for your UK visa?
Book PTE Academic UKVI for work visas such as the Skilled Worker visa and for study below degree level. Book PTE Home A1 for a first family or partner visa, PTE Home A2 to extend a partner visa after 2.5 years, and PTE Home B1 for settlement (indefinite leave to remain) or British citizenship.
| Test | Skills tested | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| PTE Academic UKVI | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | Skilled Worker, other work routes, study below degree level |
| PTE Home A1 | Speaking and listening | First spouse or partner visa |
| PTE Home A2 | Speaking and listening | Partner visa extension after 2.5 years |
| PTE Home B1 | Speaking and listening | Indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship |
What PTE score do you need for a UK visa?
The Home Office sets PTE Academic UKVI minimums by CEFR level, in every skill: 43 for B1, 59 for B2, 76 for C1 and 85 for C2. A Skilled Worker visa needs B2 for new applicants since 8 January 2026, so 59 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. PTE Home tests are pass or fail.
| CEFR level | PTE Academic UKVI (each skill) | IELTS for UKVI (each skill) | Example route |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1 | 43 | 4.0 | Study below degree level |
| B2 | 59 | 5.5 | Skilled Worker (new applicants since 8 January 2026) |
| C1 | 76 | 7.0 | Some specialist routes |
| C2 | 85 | 8.5 | Rarely required |
The minimum applies to each skill separately. An overall score above the threshold does not help if one skill falls short, which is the most common reason a result cannot be used. If you are extending a Skilled Worker visa you first got before 8 January 2026, GOV.UK says you do not need to prove English again.
Need B2 in every skill?
Writing and speaking are where most candidates lose points on UK visa tests. Book a free consultation and Sahil will tell you whether IELTS for UKVI or PTE suits you better, and what it will take to reach your score.
Book a free consultationIs PTE accepted in the UK?
Yes. PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Home A1, A2 and B1 are on the Home Office list of approved English tests, so they are accepted for UK visa applications when taken at an approved centre. Most UK universities also accept PTE Academic for admission, but always check your course's own score requirement.
Your test must still be on the approved list on the date you apply, and certificates are normally only accepted if the test was taken within the validity period the route allows. Keep your unique reference number: the caseworker uses it to verify your result online.
Can you use PTE for a UK student visa?
Yes, but it depends on your course level. For study below degree level you need B1, usually shown with a SELT such as PTE Academic UKVI (43 in each skill). For degree-level study you need the equivalent of B2, and GOV.UK says your university can assess your English itself, so many accept standard PTE Academic. Check your offer letter.
| Course level | English level | What to book |
|---|---|---|
| Below degree level (e.g. foundation, pathway) | B1 | PTE Academic UKVI, at least 43 in each skill |
| Degree level or above | B2 equivalent | Whatever your university accepts; often standard PTE Academic |
You do not need to prove your English for a Student visa if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country on the GOV.UK list, hold a UK degree taught in English, or already proved your English in an earlier visa application. When in doubt, ask the university's admissions team which test they will put on your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
What is the PTE Home test like?
PTE Home A1, A2 and B1 are short computer-based tests of speaking and listening only, taken at an approved test centre. There is no reading or writing section. You listen and respond to recorded prompts on everyday topics, and the result is a simple pass or fail at the level you booked.
Because the result is pass or fail, the goal is steady, clear communication at your level rather than advanced vocabulary. Most candidates who fail do so because they freeze or give one-word answers, which practice with timed prompts fixes quickly. If you prefer a face-to-face test with an examiner, IELTS Life Skills is the main alternative at the same levels.
PTE UKVI vs IELTS for UKVI: which is easier?
Neither test is easier for everyone. PTE Academic UKVI is fully computer-marked, including speaking, and some candidates find its fast-paced, integrated tasks suit them. IELTS for UKVI has a face-to-face speaking test with an examiner, which many learners prefer. Choose the format you score more consistently in, after a timed practice test of each.
| Feature | PTE Academic UKVI | IELTS for UKVI |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | Recorded into a microphone, computer-scored | Live interview with an examiner |
| Format | Computer-based, integrated tasks | Paper or computer, separate modules |
| Scoring | 10 to 90 per skill | Band 1 to 9 per skill |
| B2 minimum | 59 in each skill | 5.5 in each skill |
Our IELTS online course for UKVI prepares you for the IELTS route, with live speaking practice and marked writing. If you have already taken PTE, the strategies for writing structure and fluency carry across.
How to book PTE Academic UKVI
- 1
Choose the right test
Check your visa route needs PTE Academic UKVI or a PTE Home level, not standard PTE Academic.
- 2
Find an approved centre
Book through Pearson at a centre on the Home Office approved list, in or outside the UK.
- 3
Check the fee
Fees vary by country; Pearson's price finder shows the current fee for your location.
- 4
Bring the right ID
Use the same passport you will use for your visa application.
- 5
Use your reference number
Enter the unique reference number from your results in your visa application.
Taking the test in the UK? Our step-by-step guide on how to book the PTE Academic test in the UK covers centres, ID and test-day rules.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you take PTE Academic UKVI or PTE Home A1, A2 or B1 at an approved centre. Standard PTE Academic is not a Secure English Language Test, so it cannot be used for most UK visa routes.
PTE Home A1 is Pearson's speaking and listening test at CEFR level A1, approved by the Home Office for a first family or partner visa. The result is pass or fail.
New Skilled Worker applicants since 8 January 2026 need B2 English, which is at least 59 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking in PTE Academic UKVI.
The test content is the same, but PTE Academic UKVI is taken at a Home Office approved centre with extra security and produces a reference number the Home Office can verify.
Yes. Below degree level you need B1 shown by a SELT such as PTE Academic UKVI. For degree-level courses your university can assess your English to B2 itself, and many accept standard PTE Academic. Check the requirement in your offer.
The fee depends on the country where you take the test. Use Pearson's price finder for your location before booking.
Pick the right UK visa English test and pass it
Book a free 20-minute consultation. Sahil will confirm the test and score your visa needs, compare PTE with IELTS for UKVI for you, and plan your preparation.
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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 4 October 2026. Immigration rules and fees change, so confirm the current position on GOV.UK before you apply or pay for anything.