IELTS (General) Test from 2014 (Beijing) legit for ILR (2019)?

[Gary3000]

Hey all, I've been living in the UK for 5 years on tier-2 (work; general) visa now. I am applying now to ILR. For this I need to prove my English.

When I arrived at the UK in 2014 I used an IELTS test (general) which I completed successfully at one of the places where you can do these IELTS tests at Beijing.

The UKVI website says explicitly: an expired approved English test that you used successfully in you previous visa is *accepted* even if it is expired!
However, it is unclear whether all English tests that once where approved (eg, in 2014) are also approved today! For instance, in the past TOELF was approved, but now not!

Question: How do I find out if my IELTS is legit for ILR?
I think there are two questions here:
1- Does IELTS (general) is okay for ILR?
2- Is my specific branch where I made the approved IELTS test in Beijing is one of the *currently* approved centres? And how would I find this.

(I've tried UKVI phone help but this is not helpful).

[CR001]

indefinite-leave-to-remain/faqs-english ... 93792.html

[Gary3000]

Thanks or the reply!

However, there are some unclear issues:
First, the Appendix O has been deleted now (so the linked document is partially obsolete). But I found anyway the list of approved English Test Centres on the UKVI website.

Hence, the questions still remain:

1- How would I know if my test centre is approved? On my IELTS test report there is no mention of the actual test centre my test was conducted in. It's just written that it is IELTS, Cambridge etc. and that "the validity of this IELTS test report From can be verified online by recognising organisations at http://ielts.ucles.org.uk".

Two other questions:
1- Do I need a physical document for my IELTS test result? (I can't find it).
2- Or do I need only the number of certificate, as was with my Tier-2 application (I think, though I can't recall precisely).

[CR001]

1. Yes you need the original and it must be uploaded.

2. You need the selt IELTS number and unlikely that is what you had.

3. At the risk of being refused ilr and losing £3k, why not simply do another test for £150?? And yes, HO can refuse you for this.

[Gary3000]

Thanks!

I guess that I will have to go with this IELTS ordeal again. Quite sad. It does take quite some time and effort, and energy etc.

I really thought I won't need to do this.

Do you know what is the shortest English test available?

[Gary3000]

Also, what is SELT IELTS number?

[CR001]

If you click the one link within the link I provided for approved tests, you will see IELTS selt is the test. Only two tests are on the approved list. When you complete the form, it asks for the selt or electronic reference number.

[Gary3000]

Sorry, I couldn't follow.

When I press your link, I get some FAQ. In this FAQ there are some links. Some of them are broken (namely, UKVI have deleted the page). Specifically the Approved test centres is deleted.

>> you will see IELTS selt is the test.

Where?

>> Only two tests are on the approved list. When you complete the form,

Which form?

>> it asks for the selt or electronic reference number.

You mean, the test report form number? So maybe I can use this and save me the IELTS?

[Gary3000]

I have looked again at the relevant part in the UKVI website (as linked from the FAQ provided on this forum), and indeed, it is very unclear:

It reads (see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/immigration ... endix-koll):

"(iii) at the date of application, the provider of that qualification [English test] continues to be approved by the Secretary of State."

But the term "provider" is undefined. Indeed, what is "a provider"? The test centre? The IELTS body? That is, it is unclear how to check if my IELTS (general) qualification is from a provider that is still approved.

Question: how should I check who is the provider of my IELTS test and whether it is approved currently by UKVI?

[CULLINAN]

https://www.trinitycollege.com/site/?id=3220

[Gary3000]

Thanks!

But this is a different authority than IELTS. I was asking about IELTS, but Trinity is a different authority that can provide English tests for UKVI.

My question is: Given my IELTS (general) Test Report (which also includes the "Test Report Form Number"), what is the way to verify it is legit for ILR?

If I look at the UKVI website, it says that both IELTS and Trinity College are approved as tests. In addition, one has to check that the *centre in which you've made the test is approved* (but it is unclear how to do this).

[CULLINAN]

Thanks!

But this is a different authority than IELTS. I was asking about IELTS, but Trinity is a different authority that can provide English tests for UKVI.

My question is: Given my IELTS (general) Test Report (which also includes the "Test Report Form Number"), what is the way to verify it is legit for ILR?

If I look at the UKVI website, it says that both IELTS and Trinity College are approved as tests. In addition, one has to check that the *centre in which you've made the test is approved* (but it is unclear how to do this).

The link I provided above is approved test and test centres. You can follow that.

Also, there is an approved list on the gov website where you can check the ielts. As previously said, £150 VS £3k+ rejection, I wouldn’t risk it.

[Gary3000]

Thanks.

Once again, I repeat, unless I am mistaken: the link you provided is only relevant for the Trinity College tests, but it is not relevant to IELTS.

Do you think that the Trinity College tests are simpler than the IELTS?

[CULLINAN]

Thanks.

Once again, I repeat, unless I am mistaken: the link you provided is only relevant for the Trinity College tests, but it is not relevant to IELTS.

Do you think that the Trinity College tests are simpler than the IELTS?

I am not aware of the IELTS. However, trinity is only 10 minutes and very easy to pass plus its approved. Also, easily available dates.

[CR001]

If you had clicked on the approved test centre link which is in the original link I posted, you would have seen the list.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publicati ... uage-tests

IELTS selt and trinity are the two options you have.

[ukvisat2]

Thanks.

Once again, I repeat, unless I am mistaken: the link you provided is only relevant for the Trinity College tests, but it is not relevant to IELTS.

Do you think that the Trinity College tests are simpler than the IELTS?

Yes - IELTS is the provider, which is fine in your case.
Yes Trinity is easy. Just 10 minutes conversation and get the result certificate in 7 days. Which I would suggest to you if you do not meet any of these conditions:

(i) has limited leave to enter or remain in the UK, and
(ii) that leave (or a grant of leave which preceded it provided any periods of leave since have been unbroken) was given on the basis that the applicant had an English language qualification at a minimum level of B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
(iii) at the date of application, the provider of that qualification continues to be approved by the Secretary of State.

AND

a) your test center should be mention in your certificate (CN001 is the only center in Beijing that is approved from UKVI at the moment)
b) you must able to provide original certificate as an evidence


Note: IELTS for UKVI test is only effective from April 2015.

I hope this helps.
Best wishes