A2 English Test for Spouse Visa Extension (Fast & Easy)
Why This Test Matters for Your Family’s Future?
Here’s what nobody tells you about the A2 English test for spouse visa extension: your spouse earns above £29,000, but you still face separation.
This invisible barrier catches thousands by surprise. Most people think money is the hard part.
According to Migration Observatory analysis, between 50% and 57% of UK employed adults earn below the £29,000 threshold. But those who clear that hurdle hit another wall. The A2 English test creates an unexpected separation every month.
Money isn’t the only barrier. The language test eliminates many who meet the income threshold but discover this requirement too late.
You’ll find the exact steps here. Real costs from official sources. Proven strategies that help applicants pass their UKVI SELT the first time. Begin your family’s uninterrupted UK journey today.
Understanding the A2 English Requirement for Visa Extension
The progression from A1 to A2 marks a critical shift in your UK immigration journey. Your initial visa required an A1 level for basic phrases like “my name is” or “I live in London.” The extension demands A2 proficiency.
According to official CEFR level A2 standards, this represents “elementary” communication. A2 speakers can “communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters.” Think practical, not academic situations.
A2 means handling real conversations: asking for directions to the nearest pharmacy, explaining why you’re late, or describing weekend plans. You won’t discuss Brexit’s economic implications or analyse Shakespeare’s sonnets.
Many applicants over-prepare by studying complex grammar when examiners assess practical communication skills. Keep conversations natural and straightforward.
Key Updates for 2025
The £29,000 financial requirement appendix FM remains unchanged in 2025. Earlier proposals suggested increasing it to £38,700. The Migration Advisory Committee published recommendations in June 2025. Any changes affect new applicants only.
The suggested B1 requirement increase hasn’t become law. The May 2025 Immigration White Paper confirms this remains under consultation. Implementation looks unlikely before late 2025.
Necessary legal provision: Under paragraph 32D of Appendix FM-SE, you can reuse an A2 or higher test from an approved provider. This applies even if taken more than two years ago, provided the Home Office previously accepted it.
Who Must Comply
Citizens of non-majority English speaking test countries must take the test. This includes nationals from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, China, Brazil, Turkey, and most African nations. Your passport determines this requirement regardless of education or English-speaking history.
The FLR(M) application for spouse visa extension requires an A2 level after 2.5 years. This applies even if you passed A1 for your initial visa. Partners from the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand remain exempt.
Timing matters: The A2 requirement applies when your initial 33-month visa expires after residing in the UK for 30 months.
Who Is Exempt? Avoiding Unnecessary Testing
Understanding exemptions saves £150-220 and weeks of preparation. The Home Office-approved test applies these exemptions strictly. Claiming one incorrectly leads to visa refusal.
Automatic Exemptions
- Age 65 or over: Automatic exemption applies if you’re 65+ on the application date. Provide your passport showing your date of birth. No medical evidence needed.
- Nationals of majority-English countries: Citizens qualify from Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK, and USA.
- Long-term UK residents: You may qualify if you’ve lived in the UK continuously since before age 15. Proper documentation is essential.
Discretionary Exemptions
Physical or mental conditions require government guidance: “a physical or mental condition which prevents them from meeting the requirement.” The condition must make learning English or taking tests impossible, not difficult.
Accepted conditions include severe deafness (not hearing aids), mutism, severe learning disabilities, or advanced dementia. A registered UK doctor must provide detailed medical evidence explaining why you cannot take the test.
Anxiety, dyslexia, or mild learning difficulties rarely qualify for medical English test exemptions. If the UK’s language requirements present a significant barrier, some couples consider exploring visa options in other countries like Canada, which may have different criteria for unmarried partners. The Home Office expects evidence showing the condition “prevents” rather than “makes difficult” meeting the requirement.
Academic Exemptions
Degrees taught in English can replace the test. Requirements are strict. Your degree must be at a UK bachelor’s level or above. Ecctis certification (formerly UK NARIC) must confirm that it was taught in English.
The process costs £210 plus VAT through the Ecctis online portal. Processing takes 10-15 working days. Submit your degree certificate, transcript, and proof of English instruction.
Having a degree from India, Pakistan, or Nigeria doesn’t guarantee exemption. Many universities in these countries teach in local languages alongside English.
Approved A2 Test Providers: UKVI’s Official List
Only Secure English Language Test providers approved by the Home Office count. Booking the wrong test means automatic refusal and losing your test fee.
Regular IELTS or Trinity exams fail visa requirements. Tests must include “UKVI” or “SELT” designation.
| Provider | Test Name | Skills Tested | Duration | Cost (2025) |
| Trinity College | GESE Grade 3 SELT | Speaking & Listening | 7 minutes | £150 |
| IELTS SELT | IELTS Life Skills A2 | Speaking & Listening | 16-18 minutes | £150 |
| Pearson | PTE Home A2 | Speaking & Listening | 15 minutes | £150-170 |
| LanguageCert | SELT A2 (Speaking/Listening) | Speaking & Listening | 12 minutes | £150 |
IELTS Life Skills A2 operates only in the UK. Overseas applicants must take Trinity GESE Grade 3 or LanguageCert SELT. Alternatively, travel to the UK for the test.
London Home Office-approved test centres charge £15-20 more than regional locations. Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow offer better availability and standard pricing.
Test Format Explained: Exactly What to Expect
Understanding the exact format removes fear and improves performance. Each provider structures their A2 test differently. All assess speaking and listening test skills only.
Trinity’s GESE Grade 3
The 7-minute test uses a video call with a Trinity examiner. You’ll use a tablet at the test centre. The examiner guides natural conversation through two phases.
- Phase one (5 minutes): Discussion covers familiar topics, including daily routine, hometown, hobbies, or future plans. The examiner asks: “Tell me about your typical Sunday,” or “What did you do last weekend?”
- Phase two (2 minutes): You describe or compare simple images. You might give directions or explain a simple process. Topics stay practical: describing your journey to work or explaining how to make tea.
Won’t discuss Brexit’s economic implications or analyse Shakespeare. Everyday situations only.
IELTS Life Skills A2
This test pairs you with another candidate for 16-18 minutes total. The format encourages natural conversation between candidates, not just with the examiner.
- Part one: The examiner asks both candidates about familiar topics. You discuss families, work, or interests. The examiner assesses your responses and follow-up questions.
- Part two: You listen to a 30-second announcement and answer questions. Topics include travel information, event details, or simple instructions.
- Part three: You and your partner plan something together. Examples include birthday parties or day trips. You discuss and agree on details.
Passing Threshold
Trinity uses letter grades (A-D) across different competencies. Your overall result becomes Pass, Pass with Merit, Pass with Distinction, or Fail.
IELTS Life Skills A2 gives Pass or Fail only. You must meet all four assessment criteria: obtaining information, conveying information, speaking to communicate, and engaging in discussion.
You receive provisional results within 24 hours. Official certificates arrive in 4-7 days for Trinity.
Step-by-Step Guide to Booking Your A2 SELT
Booking correctly is crucial. One mistake delays your visa processing times by weeks. Follow this exact sequence.
Find a Centre
Use the official GOV.UK test centre locator. Never book through third-party websites claiming “faster booking” or “guaranteed passes.”
Check multiple providers simultaneously. When Trinity shows “no availability,” IELTS might have slots the same week. Create accounts with all providers. Compare real-time availability.
Tuesday mornings at 9 AM often release new slots for the following month.
Book Online
- Trinity: Book at seltbooking.trinitycollege.co.uk
- IELTS: Use takeielts.britishcouncil.org/uk (select “IELTS Life Skills”)
- Pearson: Visit pearsonpte.com/uk/ptehome
- LanguageCert: Book through languagecert.org/en/language-exams
During booking, provide your passport number, contact details, and payment card. Most providers require immediate full payment. Only Trinity offers free date changes up to 72 hours before your test.
ID Requirements
Bring your original passport or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). The centre rejects photocopies. Remember, your BRP is a valuable document beyond visa applications, as it grants the extensive travel benefits your BRP provides for trips to various countries. Driver’s licenses don’t count as ID for SELT tests.
Your recently expired BRP works for test booking and identification if you’ve applied for an extension. Staff verify your status online.
Never bring mobile phones, smartwatches, or bags into the test room. The centre provides lockers.
Timeline
Book immediately when you decide to extend your visa. December and January slots fill 6-8 weeks early due to holiday closures and New Year’s applications.
Processing reality: Provisional results arrive the next day. Your visa application needs the official certificate with your SELT unique reference number. Allow 7 days for certificate delivery.
If your visa expires in less than 14 days, book priority processing (£500) or super-priority (£800). This applies to your visa application, not your English test.
Pro Tips to Pass on Your First Attempt
These strategies come from test centre data and successful candidates, not generic language advice.
Practice Scenarios
Focus on A2 scenarios appearing in most tests: describing your neighbourhood, explaining your job, discussing weekend plans, talking about the weather, and giving simple directions.
Record yourself answering these prompts for 60 seconds each. A2 level means complete sentences with occasional pauses. Perfect fluency isn’t required. Examiners accept natural hesitation but not long silences.
Download the Trinity GESE Study App (£15) for official practice materials. The British Council offers free A2 exercises at learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/skills/speaking/a2-speaking.
Avoid Overstudying
The biggest mistake involves preparing for B1 or B2 when you need A2. Complex grammar or advanced vocabulary confuses examiners about your actual level.
Say “I go to work by bus”, not “I utilise public transportation for my daily commute.” Examiners want natural communication, not memorised sophisticated phrases.
Study 20-30 minutes daily for 2-3 weeks. Avoid intensive cramming. Your brain needs time to process conversational patterns.
Free Resources
Trinity College provides free Grade 3 sample videos on YouTube. These show actual test conversations. Watch these to understand the expected pace and complexity.
The British Council’s “LearnEnglish” app includes A2 speaking exercises for SELT preparation. The “Johnny Grammar” app helps with common grammar patterns at the A2 level.
Test-Day Preparation
Examiners don’t penalise silence if you respond accurately within a reasonable time. When confused, say “Sorry, could you repeat that?” or “Can you say that another way?”
Examiners want you to pass. They rephrase questions, speak slowly, and guide conversation toward comfortable topics. Their training reduces anxiety and creates natural dialogue.
Perfect fluency is not required. Examiners accept natural hesitation but not long silences.
Arrive 30 minutes early to settle nerves. Review simple vocabulary during waiting time, not complex grammar rules.
Handling Failure or Special Circumstances
Test failure doesn’t equal visa failure. Proper planning allows retaking and timely visa submission.
Retakes
No waiting period exists between attempts. If you fail on Monday, retake on Tuesday with a different provider. The Home Office accepts your highest pass. Previous failures don’t matter.
Book your retake immediately after failure. Don’t wait for the official failure certificate. Each retake costs full price unless you have Trinity’s Exam Protect.
Exam Protect
Trinity’s £30 Exam Protect allows one free retake if you fail. Purchase during initial booking only. You can’t add it after failing.
The insurance guarantees a retake slot within 30 days. This helps during busy periods when availability is limited.
Other providers lack similar insurance. LanguageCert runs “two attempts for one price” promotions periodically.
Technical Issues
Equipment failure earns you a free retest. This includes tablet crashes, microphone failures, or internet disconnects. The test centre documents the technical issue.
Power outages, fire alarms, or centre-wide disruptions qualify for free retests. Individual nervousness, illness, or late arrival doesn’t qualify.
Report technical issues immediately. Don’t complete the test, hoping for leniency. Examiners can’t adjust scores for technical problems.
Beyond the A2: Preparing for ILR and Citizenship
Planning ahead saves money and stress. The UK’s immigration pathway requires progressively higher English levels.
Future-Proofing
After 5 years on the spouse visa renewal route, you apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. It’s important to understand how your entire immigration history contributes to this; for instance, time spent on a student visa may also count towards your qualifying period, depending on your specific circumstances. This requires a B1 test for settlement-level English. The May 2025 Immigration White Paper proposes increasing this to B2. Implementation remains uncertain.
Smart strategy: Take the B1 test now instead of the A2 if your English is strong. Under paragraph 32D of Appendix FM-SE, reuse this higher-level test for all future applications, including citizenship.
Cost comparison: B1 now (£150) versus A2 now (£150) plus B1 later (£150) saves £150 and one test experience.
Timeline
Moving from A2 to B1 takes 6-12 months of consistent study, depending on individual circumstances. B1 means expressing opinions, describing experiences in detail, and handling unexpected topics.
The Life in the UK test costs £50 and is required for ILR. This test British history, culture, and values through 24 multiple-choice questions. Consider preparing for both tests at the same time.
The Immigration White Paper suggests extending settlement from 5 to 10 years for some routes. A UK spouse visa extension may keep the 5-year pathway. Prepare for potential changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the A2 test harder than the initial A1 test?
Yes, slightly. A2 requires understanding common phrases like “post office directions” and simple conversations about daily topics. A1 covers only basic words and simple introductions. The difference means 2-3 weeks’ additional practice for most people with focused preparation.
Can I use an academic degree instead of a test?
Yes, if Ecctis certification confirms it’s equivalent to a UK degree and taught in English. The process costs £210 plus VAT and takes 10-15 working days. Degrees from majority-English countries have automatic recognition, but others need individual assessment through official channels.
Can I use my A1 test for the extension?
No. A2 is mandatory for extensions after 2.5 years on the FLR(M) English requirement. However, if you passed B1 or higher for your initial visa, you can reuse it under paragraph 32D provisions. This saves £150 and preparation time.
What if my visa expires while waiting for my test?
Apply for the extension first using Section 3C Leave provisions. This allows legal residence while awaiting test results. Book your test immediately after applying. Include your test booking confirmation with your visa application as supporting evidence.
Are online tests accepted?
No. All UK visa language proof tests require in-person attendance at approved centres. Video call tests use tablets at official centres, not home computers. This maintains security and identity verification standards required by UKVI.
How soon can I retake if I fail?
Immediately. Book a new slot with any approved provider right after failing. No waiting period exists between attempts. Most people pass on their second try with focused preparation targeting their specific weaknesses.
Does the A2 test include reading/writing?
No. Only speaking and listening are assessed for a visa extension after 2.5 years. The test focuses on practical conversation skills needed for daily life in the UK. Reading and writing become relevant for the B1 tests required for settlement applications.
Your Path to Uninterrupted Family Life
The A2 English test for spouse visa extension feels challenging but remains achievable with proper preparation. Thousands successfully extend their UK spouse visas each year using these exact steps and verified information.
Your family’s stability doesn’t require perfect English. It requires meeting a clear, achievable standard set by CEFR guidelines. Book your test at an approved centre today. Practice daily conversations for 2-3 weeks. Join successful applicants who continue their UK journey. Start now: Visit to find your nearest test centre. Begin your family’s next chapter in the UK with confidence and accurate information.
