Visa English requirements

What English level does the UK Minister of Religion visa need?

CEFR level B2 in reading, writing, speaking and listening. If you prove it with a Secure English Language Test, IELTS for UKVI needs at least 5.5 in each skill and PTE Academic UKVI 59 in each skill. Gov.uk also accepts a degree taught in English, and some nationalities and other circumstances are exempt.
  • Guide updated · 30 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS

Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026

The B2 requirement

The Minister of Religion knowledge of English page says you may need to prove your English, to at least B2 level on the CEFR scale. Minimum test scores are from the gov.uk approved SELT list.

Approved SELTB2 minimum in each skillListed as
IELTS for UKVI5.5 (listening, reading, writing, speaking)4-facet test
PTE Academic UKVI594-facet test
LanguageCert Academic SELT or General SELT604-facet test
Skills for English UKVI B2 (4 component)Pass4-facet test, outside the UK

Ways to prove it on this route

Unlike the work routes that also accept UK school qualifications, the Minister of Religion page lists three ways: a degree taught in English and awarded by a UK institution; a degree taught in English outside the UK, with an Ecctis code confirming it is equivalent to a UK bachelor's degree or higher; or passing a SELT with an approved provider.

If you already proved your English in a previous successful visa application, you may not have to prove it again (gov.uk).

Need a SELT for a UK visa?

Where the Home Office asks for a Secure English Language Test, IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI are approved. Practise the format free.

Free IELTS for UKVI practice →

Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.

Who is exempt

Nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British overseas territories, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and the USA do not need to prove their English. Gov.uk adds that you may not have to prove it in other circumstances and points to the full visa guidance (gov.uk).

Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current requirement on the gov.uk Minister of Religion page before you book a test or apply. This guide restates the official page; it is not legal or immigration advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is IELTS General accepted for the Minister of Religion visa?+

If you need a SELT, the IELTS test on the gov.uk list is IELTS for UKVI (5.5 in each skill for B2), not standard IELTS General Training.

Can my theology degree replace an English test?+

Yes, if it is a degree taught in English and awarded by a UK institution, or an overseas degree that Ecctis confirms was taught in English and is at UK bachelor's level or higher.

How old can my SELT result be?+

Gov.uk says a SELT must have been awarded in the two years before the date of your application.

Is PTE accepted for this visa?+

Yes. PTE Academic UKVI is an approved SELT; B2 needs 59 in each skill.

Keep reading

Related

Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

Free IELTS for UKVI practice