If you passed A1 English for your first UK spouse or partner visa, you will normally need to pass at least A2 speaking and listening for your spouse visa extension after 2.5 years, often referred to as 30 months. If you have already passed A2 or a higher approved test for a previous successful application, you may be able to rely on that result again, provided the official conditions are met and the certificate has not been withdrawn.
The phrase spouse visa extension is commonly used, but the formal route is usually the family visa as a partner under Appendix FM. The English requirement is only one part of the extension application, alongside the relationship, financial, accommodation and suitability requirements.
The main thing is not to book just any English exam. You need the correct CEFR level, the correct test type, and an approved Secure English Language Test, often called a SELT, unless you can rely on an exemption or accepted degree evidence.
If you are unsure which evidence applies to you, Immigration UK can help you understand the English requirement in the context of your wider spouse visa extension application, including whether you need a new test or can rely on previous evidence.
What English Level Is Required for a Spouse Visa Extension?
For a standard spouse or partner visa extension after the first grant of leave, the usual requirement is A2 speaking and listening if the applicant previously relied on A1. A2 is still a basic level of English, but it is a step up from A1. It shows that the applicant can understand and use simple everyday English in familiar situations.
The requirement is focused on speaking and listening. You do not usually need a four-skills academic English test for a spouse visa extension, unless you are choosing a test product that is specifically approved and suitable for the route and level you need.
- First spouse or partner visa: usually A1 speaking and listening.
- Extension after the first 2.5 years: usually A2 speaking and listening if you previously passed A1.
- Settlement after five years: a separate English requirement applies, along with the Life in the UK Test for many applicants.
It is easy to confuse A2 with B1 or B2 because they all appear in immigration guidance. For the ordinary extension, A2 is usually the key level. B1 and B2 are mainly relevant when planning for indefinite leave to remain, not for the standard second spouse visa extension stage.
Which English Tests Are Accepted?
The Home Office does not require one single brand of English test. Instead, you must use an approved SELT provider, book the correct test, take it at an approved location, and achieve the required CEFR level in the relevant components.
For applicants taking the test in the UK, approved providers have included Trinity College London, IELTS SELT Consortium, LANGUAGECERT and Pearson. Test products may include options such as IELTS Life Skills, Trinity GESE, PTE Home and LANGUAGECERT International ESOL SELT, depending on the level and route. The exact approved list can change, so you should always check the current GOV.UK information before booking through the provider.
The safest approach is to confirm three things before you pay: the test is a UKVI-approved SELT, the level is at least A2 for your extension, and the test covers speaking and listening for the partner route. The official GOV.UK guidance on Secure English Language Tests for UK visa applications explains how approved tests, test centres and reference numbers work.
A common mistake is booking ordinary IELTS Academic or another English test that looks official but is not the right UKVI SELT for the application. Another is choosing A1 again simply because that was enough for the first visa. Unfortunately, the Home Office is interested in the exact rule that applies at the time of the extension, not whether the test sounded broadly similar.
Can You Reuse a Previous English Test?
You may be able to reuse a previous English result if it was at A2 or above and was accepted for a previous successful application, provided the certificate has not been withdrawn and the relevant rules are satisfied. This is useful for applicants who took a higher-level test at the first stage because they were already comfortable doing so.
If your previous test was only A1, it will not normally meet the A2 requirement for the extension. In that situation, you should usually plan to take an approved A2 speaking and listening SELT before submitting the extension application.
There is also a general rule that SELT results are usually valid for two years. However, immigration rules can allow reliance on a previous successful application in certain circumstances, which is why you should not assume that an older A2, B1 or higher result is automatically unusable. Equally, you should not assume that every old certificate can be reused. Check the test provider, level, date, reference number and whether the result was used successfully before.
If you are preparing the full extension application, it may also help to review the wider partner route requirements. Immigration UK provides information on the UK spouse visa route, including the type of issues applicants need to consider beyond the English test.
Do You Need a Test if You Have a Degree?
You may not need to take an English test if you can prove the requirement through an accepted degree. A UK degree taught in English can usually be relied on, provided you have suitable evidence such as the degree certificate.
If your degree was awarded outside the UK, the position is more detailed. You will usually need confirmation from Ecctis that the qualification is equivalent to a UK degree and that it was taught in English. This can take time, so do not leave it until the week before your visa expires. Degree evidence can be a helpful alternative to a test, but only where the required evidence is complete and matches the Home Office criteria.
Applicants sometimes assume that because they studied in English overseas, their degree automatically satisfies the rule. That is not always correct. The Home Office will normally want formal evidence of UK equivalence and English-language teaching, not just a letter saying the course was taught in English.
Who Is Exempt from the English Requirement?
Some applicants do not need to prove English for a spouse visa extension. Exemptions may apply, for example, to nationals of certain majority English-speaking countries, applicants aged 65 or over, or people with a physical or mental condition that prevents them from meeting the requirement.
There is also an important rule for some applicants who have already been in the UK on a family visa for five years and are extending as a partner or parent. This should not be confused with the ordinary extension after the first 2.5 years, where many applicants still need A2.
If you were exempt from English for your first family visa application, you may need to provide English evidence at the appropriate level when extending, depending on the reason for the previous exemption and your current circumstances. Exemptions can be valuable, but they still need to be evidenced properly. A health-based exemption, for example, should be supported by appropriate medical evidence rather than a short informal explanation.
How to Choose the Right Test for Your Extension
The right test depends on your immigration stage, previous English evidence and future plans. Most applicants extending after the first spouse visa will be looking for an A2 speaking and listening SELT. However, someone who is close to settlement or already has a higher-level certificate may need to think more strategically.
- Check whether you are applying for an extension or indefinite leave to remain.
- Look at the English level you used for your last successful application.
- Confirm whether you can reuse a previous A2 or higher result.
- If you need a new test, book an approved SELT at the correct CEFR level.
- Make sure the name on the booking matches your passport or accepted identity document.
- Keep the SELT reference number, as it is used by the Home Office to verify your result electronically.
If you are using a provider website, do not rely on the brand name alone. Large test providers may offer several different English tests, and not all of them are suitable for UK family visa applications. Look for wording that confirms the test is for UKVI purposes and check the test level carefully.
Should You Take a Higher Level Test for Settlement Later?
Some applicants consider taking B1 instead of A2 because they are already thinking ahead to settlement. That can be sensible for confident English speakers, but it is not necessary for everyone at the extension stage. The key is to meet the requirement that applies to the application you are actually making.
Settlement, also known as indefinite leave to remain, is a separate application with separate requirements. Applicants aged 18 to 64 generally need to satisfy the relevant English requirement and pass the Life in the UK Test, unless an exemption applies. The English level for settlement can differ from the extension stage and may be affected by rule changes, so applicants approaching settlement should check the current Immigration Rules and official GOV.UK guidance before applying.
If you want to understand how the spouse visa journey leads towards settlement, Immigration UK also provides guidance on settlement applications in the UK. You may also find it useful to read this related article on how to extend a spouse visa in the UK when preparing the broader application.
What Else Matters for a Spouse Visa Extension?
Passing the right English test does not guarantee that the spouse visa extension will be granted. It is one requirement within a wider application. You will still need to show that your relationship is genuine and continuing, that the financial requirement is met, and that the application is supported by suitable documents.
You should also pay close attention to timing. Book the test early enough to allow for appointment availability, results, possible retesting and final preparation of the online application. The extension application should be submitted before your current permission expires. Waiting until the final days can turn a small documentation issue into a much larger headache, and immigration applications already provide enough paperwork drama without adding avoidable panic.
Before submitting, check that the SELT reference number is entered correctly, the CEFR level is visible, your identity details match, and you have kept evidence of the result. If relying on a degree or exemption, make sure the supporting evidence is clear and complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need A1 or A2 for a Spouse Visa Extension?
If you passed A1 for your first spouse or partner visa, you will normally need at least A2 speaking and listening for the extension after 2.5 years. If you previously passed A2 or higher, you may be able to reuse that result if the official conditions are met.
Is IELTS Required for a Spouse Visa Extension?
No. IELTS Life Skills is one possible option, but it is not the only approved test. You must use an approved SELT that is suitable for the partner route and the level required.
Can I Use My Old English Test Certificate?
You may be able to use an old result if it was A2 or above, was accepted in a previous successful application, and has not been withdrawn. An old A1 result will not normally be enough for the standard extension where A2 is required.
Do I Need an English Test if I Have a Degree Taught in English?
Not always. A UK degree taught in English may meet the requirement, while an overseas degree usually needs Ecctis confirmation of UK equivalence and English-language teaching.
Do I Need B1 or B2 for a Spouse Visa Extension?
Usually no. B1 and B2 are mainly relevant to settlement planning, not the ordinary spouse visa extension after the first 2.5 years. Always check the rules for the application stage you are applying under.
