Unless an exemption applies, you need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from a Home Office approved provider, taken at an approved centre, at the level your visa route asks for. Pakistani nationals are not exempt because of nationality, and a standard IELTS booked by mistake will not count where a SELT is required.
Approved tests you can take in Pakistan
GOV.UK names four providers for SELTs taken outside the UK. Trinity College London is approved only for tests taken inside the UK. The cities below come from the GOV.UK list of approved test centres outside the UK dated 25 September 2026.
| Provider | Approved tests (outside the UK) | Cities with approved centres in Pakistan |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS SELT Consortium | IELTS for UKVI, IELTS Life Skills | Abbottabad, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Mirpur, Multan, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Sialkot |
| LanguageCert | International ESOL SELT, Academic SELT, General SELT | Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Sialkot |
| PSI Services | Skills for English UKVI | Faisalabad, Gujrat, Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Mirpur, Peshawar |
| Pearson | PTE Academic UKVI, PTE Home | Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore |
The list changes, so check the current version on the GOV.UK SELT page before you book. The September 2026 list shows no approved centre in Quetta, so applicants in Balochistan may need to travel. Results are valid for two years from the date the test is awarded, and your booking details must match your passport exactly.
Which level you need for which visa
Levels follow the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from A1 (basic) to B2 (upper intermediate) and above. Work and study routes need a four-skills test (reading, writing, speaking and listening); family and settlement routes need speaking and listening only.
| Route | Level | Skills tested |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor | No English requirement | None |
| Spouse, partner or parent: first application | A1 | Speaking and listening |
| Spouse, partner or parent: extension after 2.5 years | A2 (if you passed A1 before) | Speaking and listening |
| Settlement (indefinite leave to remain) | B1 | Speaking and listening |
| Student: below degree level | B1 | All four skills |
| Student: degree level and above | B2 (your university may assess this itself) | All four skills |
| Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker | B2 for new applications from 8 January 2026 | All four skills |
If you already hold a Skilled Worker or Health and Care visa granted before 8 January 2026, GOV.UK says B1 still applies when you extend. Levels have been rising, so always check the English page for your route before booking. Our guides to UK visa English requirements and the spouse visa English requirement go into more detail.
Exemptions: who does not need a test
- Nationality. Citizens of a short list of majority English-speaking countries, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the USA, are exempt. Pakistan is not on the list, even though English is an official language there.
- A degree taught in English. A Pakistani bachelor’s, master’s or PhD taught in English can count, but you need confirmation that it meets the UK degree standard and was taught in English. GOV.UK currently names Ecctis as the body that gives you a reference for this. A “medium of instruction” letter from your university is not enough on its own.
- UK qualifications. A UK degree taught in English, or a GCSE or A level in English, can meet the requirement on work and study routes.
- Health professionals. Doctors, dentists, nurses and midwives who have passed an English assessment accepted by their UK professional body are exempt on the Health and Care route.
- Age or disability. For settlement, people aged 65 or over, children, and people whose disability prevents them from meeting the requirement are exempt. Family visas have similar exemptions.
Before you book: a quick checklist
- You have booked the UKVI version (for example IELTS for UKVI, not ordinary IELTS Academic).
- The centre is on the current GOV.UK list of approved centres.
- The test covers the right skills and level for your route.
- Your name and date of birth match your passport exactly.
- The result will still be within two years on the date you apply.
- You keep the unique reference number, which you enter on the visa application.
Common mistakes we see from Pakistan applications
- Booking standard IELTS Academic or General Training instead of IELTS for UKVI, then needing to sit the test again.
- Letting the result expire: the two years are counted to the date of application.
- A spelling difference between the test booking and the passport.
- Assuming B1 is still enough for a new Skilled Worker application after 8 January 2026.
- Relying on a university medium of instruction letter without the Ecctis confirmation.
- Spouses passing A1 and forgetting that A2 will be needed at the first extension.
FAQ
Is Pakistan treated as an English-speaking country for UK visas?
No. Pakistan is not on the list of majority English-speaking countries in the Immigration Rules, so you need a test or another exemption.
Do I need an English test for a UK visit visa?
No. There is no English language requirement for the Standard Visitor visa.
My university accepted my normal IELTS. Is that enough for a Student visa?
For degree-level study, a university can assess your English itself, so it may accept a non-UKVI test. For study below degree level you need a SELT at B1. Check what your CAS says.
How long is a SELT result valid?
Two years from the date the test is awarded. It must still be valid on the date you apply.
Applying from Pakistan? Send us a few lines about your case and we will tell you which route fits and what to prepare.
Last reviewed: September 2026. Rules and fees change; check GOV.UK before you apply.