SELT Practice
How long is a SELT English test valid for?
A SELT result is valid for 2 years from the date the test is awarded. GOV.UK says the test must have been awarded in the two years before the date of your application, as of 10 November 2026. The rule is the same at A1, A2, B1 and B2. A few routes can reuse an older result, and they are listed below.
Work out your date
Enter the date your result was awarded (it is in your result email) and the route you are applying for. The calculator shows when the two years end and what GOV.UK says about older results for that route.
The 2-year rule in plain words
The GOV.UK SELT guidance says: "Test results are valid for 2 years from the date the test is awarded." For a SELT to be accepted it must have been awarded in the two years before the date of your application. The date that counts is the date of your application, not the date of your visa decision or your travel.
If you took the test in the UK, GOV.UK says you can use your result for UK and overseas applications. Providers say the same thing in their own words. Pearson says PTE Home results are valid for two years from your test date. Trinity recommends that only certificates less than two years old are accepted by the Home Office.
So the practical question is always: on the day I apply, will my result still be less than two years old? If you book the test too early, you may need to sit it again.
Validity by route
What each route says as of 10 November 2026. The special cases come from the GOV.UK pages linked in the table.
| Route | Normal rule | Older result? |
|---|---|---|
| First partner or family visa (A1) | Awarded in the 2 years before you apply | No special rule on the GOV.UK family visa page. (GOV.UK) |
| Family visa extension after 2.5 years (A2) | Same 2-year rule | You may not need to prove English again if you did so in a previous successful visa application. A result at A2 or higher can be used again if the certificate has not been withdrawn. (GOV.UK) |
| Settlement (ILR) | Same 2-year rule | An expired B1 or higher result can be used if it is on the current list of recognised tests and it was accepted for another UK immigration application. (GOV.UK) |
| British citizenship | Same 2-year rule | An expired B1 or higher result can be used if it was accepted when you settled in the UK. (GOV.UK) |
This page is general information, not immigration advice. Check GOV.UK for your situation before you book.
B1 for ILR: the validity period
For a B1 English test for ILR the 2 years run from the date the result was awarded to the date you apply. If you apply for settlement after 5 years on a family route, GOV.UK says a B1 or higher result you used before can be used again, as long as the test is still on the list of recognised tests and has not been withdrawn (GOV.UK). Applications made on or after 26 March 2027 need B2, so a B1 result you plan to reuse may no longer be enough. Read B2 English test for ILR and English test for ILR before you decide.
A1 for a spouse visa and B2 validity
The A1 English test for a spouse or partner visa follows the 2-year rule above. If your first test was A1, GOV.UK says you will need to pass at least A2 speaking and listening for your extension, so an A1 result cannot carry you through (GOV.UK). See A1 English test for a spouse visa and A2 for the extension.
"How long is a B2 English test valid for?" has the same answer: 2 years from the date it is awarded. The level does not change the validity period. For which B2 tests can be used, see B2 English test.
Planning your test date
- Count back two years from the day you expect to apply, not from today.
- Leave a margin. Applications can be delayed by documents, fees or appointments.
- Keep your result email and your reference number. You give the number in your application.
- If you are close to the limit, book a new test early. See how long results take.
Take the free level check to see where to start, then practise out loud with the AI examiner. Results here are estimates.
How long is a SELT test valid for?
Two years from the date the test is awarded, according to GOV.UK. The test must have been awarded in the two years before the date of your application.
How long is a B2 English test valid for?
The same: 2 years from the date it is awarded. The validity period does not depend on the level.
Can I use an old English test for ILR?
Sometimes. GOV.UK says an expired B1 or higher result can be used for settlement if it is on the current list of recognised tests and it was accepted for another UK immigration application. Check the GOV.UK page before relying on it.
Can I use an old English test for citizenship?
GOV.UK says you can use an expired B1 or higher result for citizenship if it was accepted when you settled in the UK.