UK Government has Approved Pearson PTE for UK Visas and Immigration

PTE centres approved to test English for people who want to work, live or study in the United Kingdom.

Now, Pearson has announced the second wave of locations, where people can now take PTE for UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) purposes as a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

The UK government has approved Pearson PTE, a global testing operator, to open bookings for Secure English Language Tests at another 72 locations, including India and the UK, for visa and immigration purposes.

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This includes the first eight centres in the UK and 15 centres in India, as well as centres in, among others, Japan, Egypt, the Philippines, South Africa, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and Singapore.

The announcement comes after Pearson received official sanction in May to start secure testing operations in 20 locations around the world for UKVI purposes. Despite commonly understood issues with international students obtaining a study visa (access to a SELT could be a necessary part of the process), the news is a positive sign of returning to regular operations.

Bookings can be made at all locations, Pearson explained, with 57 of these locations now open for testing delivery, and the remaining 15 open once individual Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

The tests will be carried out through the network of the Pearson VUE research centre. The Pearson VUE test centres follow recommendations from public health agencies and local governments on health and safety.

Amid COVID-19, the test centres operate with increased disinfecting and hygienic procedures and additional social distancing measures to support the safety of testing candidates and staff.

Pearson added that all remaining SELT test locations are expected to become operational this summer. 

Read More: UK Government Launches New Points-Based Visa System for International Students

Pearson’s SELT tests are as follows:

PTE Academic (UKVI)-A language test with four skills approved for work and research visas. It tests the skills to speak, listen, read, and write.

PTE Home -A two-language test accepted for family, settlement, applications for citizenship, as well as Sportsperson and Overseas Business applications representative. It tests the abilities to speak and to listen.

Note: 

• Candidates can check the list of approved test centres in the UK here.
• And the list of approved test centres from outside the UK here.
• A list of accredited English language tests assessed as meeting the requirements of the Home Offices Under the rules of Safe English Language Research (SELT).
• Candidate identification requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Question- Which migration routes need a SELT?

Answer- You’ll need to prove you met the required English language level if you apply in one of these routes are:

• Innovator
• Start-up
• Tier 2 (General)
• Tier 2 (Minister of Religion)
• Tier 2 (Sportsperson)
• Tier 4 (General)
• A representative of an overseas business
• Partner
• Parent
• Settlement
• Citizenship

Question- What tests are accepted as SELT?

Answer- The list of approved SELT tests is published on GOV.UK website.

Question- What is the unique reference number?

Answer- All candidates who pass a SELT test with a unique reference number will be issued. You must include this number in your UK immigration application. To identify the candidate and verify their results, this number will be used.

Question- Will you accept tests in English, which are not on the SELT list?

Answer- No. Any tests carried out must appear on the approved SELT list

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