Glossary
Secure English Language Test
Also written as SELT
A UK government approved test used to prove English for a visa or citizenship application. IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills are the two IELTS tests approved for it.
There are two shapes of SELT and the route decides which you need. Work and study routes such as Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker and Student test all four skills. Citizenship, settlement, partner and parent routes test speaking and listening only.
The result has to come from an approved test location and be awarded in the two years before the date of your application.
Guides that use this term
What Is IELTS UKVI? How It Differs From Academic and General Training
IELTS for UKVI is the Academic or General Training test, taken at an approved centre under extra security. What changes is the centre you sit it at and your Test Report Form. Life Skills is a separate Pass or Fail test of Speaking and Listening.
General
Checked against the GOV.UK secure English language test guidance on 8 September 2026.