Extending on the same route? B1 still applies.
If you are applying to extend your current Skilled Worker visa, or settle (ILR) on the same route, you are subject to the original B1 requirement. The new B2 rule only applies to new applicants entering the route from 8 January 2026.
What has changed?
Before 8 January 2026 the Home Office asked for CEFR level B1 for these work visas. For new applications it is now level B2.
This applies to the Skilled Worker, Scale-up, and High Potential Individual (HPI) routes.
Approved tests and B2 scores
To prove your knowledge of English, you must pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT) with one of the following approved providers. Book the UKVI version of the test.
| Provider | Test | Score needed for B2 |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS SELT Consortium | IELTS for UKVI | 5.5 in each of the 4 parts |
| Pearson | PTE Academic UKVI | 59 in each part |
| LanguageCert | International ESOL SELT B2 | 33 out of 50 in each part |
| LanguageCert | Academic SELT or General SELT | 60 in each part |
| Trinity College London | Integrated Skills in English II (ISE II) | A pass in each part (UK only) |
| PSI Services | Skills for English UKVI B2 | A pass in each part (outside the UK only) |
Source: the GOV.UK lists of approved tests taken in the UK and taken outside the UK (spreadsheets), linked from prove your English language abilities with a SELT. They give the minimum grade for each level.
Preparing for the test
- Practise every day: B2 needs fluent English. Read long articles, for example from the Guardian or the BBC, and practise speaking on abstract topics.
- Take mock tests: Most providers offer free online practice tests. Use them to gauge your current level.
- Focus on all 4 skills: You must pass Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. Failing one component means retaking the whole test.
Exceptions
You do not need to take a test if:
- You are a national of a majority English-speaking country (for example the USA, Australia or Canada).
- You have a degree (Bachelor's or higher) taught in English (verified by Ecctis).
- You successfully proved B1 level in a previous successful visa application (Grandfathering).
Salary and points
The salary and points check shows the salary rule for an occupation code. It is not an assessment of an application.
Check salary and points