If you're applying for a dependent or spouse visa, the English language test question hits differently than it does for primary visa applicants.
The primary applicant — the one with the job offer, the study admission, the skilled migration points — has usually known about their test requirement for months. The dependent applicant often finds out late, sometimes weeks before the application is due, and frequently receives conflicting advice about which test they actually need. This blog cuts through it — including a piece of information that will save many dependent applicants significant time, money, and stress: the test you need as a dependent is almost always a very different, and considerably less demanding, test than the one your partner took.
The Most Important Thing to Know First
The English language requirement for dependent and spouse visa applicants is almost always lower than for primary applicants — and in many cases it tests fewer skills entirely.
For the UK spouse visa, for example, the requirement is not the four-skill IELTS or PTE test primary applicants take. It's a Speaking and Listening only test — called IELTS Life Skills — assessed at A1 or A2 level on the CEFR scale. That's beginner-to-elementary proficiency, tested across two skills, in a 15–20 minute exam. If you've been preparing for a standard IELTS band 6.5 because that's what your partner needed, you may have been over-investing in the wrong test entirely.
United Kingdom — Spouse and Family Visa
For a first UK spouse visa (FLR(M) initial application), the requirement is an approved SELT at a minimum of CEFR Level A1 — Speaking and Listening only. The recommended test is IELTS Life Skills A1: not the standard IELTS exam, no Reading or Writing, a face-to-face speaking and listening assessment lasting about 16–18 minutes. The Home Office also accepts LanguageCert International ESOL SELT, Trinity College London GESE Grade 2 (A1), and PTE Home A1. Standard four-skill PTE Academic and standard IELTS are not required and not recommended for this purpose.
The Step-Up Requirements
| Stage | Visa Type | Minimum CEFR | Typical Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| First entry | Spouse Visa (initial) | A1 (Speaking & Listening) | IELTS Life Skills A1 |
| Extension after 2.5 yrs | FLR(M) extension | A2 (Speaking & Listening) | IELTS Life Skills A2 |
| Settlement after 5 yrs | Indefinite Leave to Remain | B1 (Speaking & Listening) | IELTS Life Skills B1 |
| Naturalisation | British Citizenship | B1 (Speaking & Listening) | IELTS Life Skills B1 |
A useful strategy: if you're confident, take the A2 test for your initial application rather than A1. If accepted for your first visa, you can reuse it for the FLR(M) extension without retaking — saving time and money. Important from March 2027: the ILR requirement will increase from B1 to B2. If you plan to apply before March 26, 2027, confirm the applicable requirement at the time.
Australia — Dependent on a Skilled Migration Visa
For Australian skilled migration visas (189, 190, 491 and employer-sponsored routes), dependent partners must demonstrate Functional English — the lowest tier. For PTE Academic, that's a minimum score of 30 in each component; for IELTS, a minimum band of 4.5 in each skill. This is meaningfully lower than Competent English (IELTS 6.0 / PTE 50) required for primary applicants.
Partner Points — When a Higher Score Matters
If the primary applicant wants to claim partner points, the partner must demonstrate at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 per band / PTE 50 per component). In some cases the 5 extra points are decisive; in others, the primary applicant already has sufficient points.
Does the Dependent Need to Take the Test at All?
Not always. The Department of Home Affairs exempts dependants who are under 18, hold passports from a designated English-speaking country (UK, USA, Canada, NZ, Ireland), have completed at least 5 years of full-time study in English, or are older than 50 in some categories. Check the exemptions for your specific subclass before booking.
Not sure which test — or what level — you actually need as a dependent? Our free first session confirms your requirement before you spend a rupee.
Talk to a TrainerCanada — Sponsored Spouse or Dependent
Canada's Family Class sponsorship route does not require an English language test for the sponsored spouse or dependent at the time of application. This is one of the most commonly misunderstood points in Canadian immigration. The primary applicant needs to demonstrate English ability if coming through Express Entry; the sponsored spouse coming through Family Class does not. If you're a dependent accompanying on an Express Entry profile, only the primary applicant's scores are assessed. After arriving, sponsored spouses may be offered free LINC language training — optional support, not a requirement.
The Comparison at a Glance
| Country / Visa | Test Needed | Score / Level |
|---|---|---|
| UK Spouse Visa (initial) | IELTS Life Skills A1 or approved SELT | A1 — Speaking & Listening only |
| UK FLR(M) extension | IELTS Life Skills A2 or approved SELT | A2 — Speaking & Listening only |
| UK ILR (settlement) | IELTS Life Skills B1 or approved SELT | B1 — Speaking & Listening only |
| Australia — Functional English | IELTS or PTE Academic | IELTS 4.5 / PTE 30 per component |
| Australia — Partner points | IELTS or PTE Academic | IELTS 6.0 / PTE 50 per component |
| Canada — Family sponsorship | None required | N/A |
| Canada — Accompanying on Express Entry | None required for dependent | N/A |
The Most Common Mistakes Dependent Applicants Make
Preparing for the wrong test entirely. Spending 6–8 weeks on standard IELTS Academic when all you needed was IELTS Life Skills A1. Confirm your specific requirement before booking anything.
Assuming the same test as the primary applicant. Your partner took IELTS Academic at band 7.0. You almost certainly need something lower. Verify independently.
Not checking exemptions. Prior education in English, citizenship of an English-speaking country, or age may exempt you entirely.
Booking a non-SELT test for a UK visa. Only Home Office-approved Secure English Language Tests are accepted. Standard IELTS without a SELT reference number will not satisfy the requirement, even with a high score.
