The A2 English test for a UK family visa extension
In short
To extend a UK partner or parent visa after your first 30 months, you need English at CEFR level A2 in speaking and listening. It's the same test format as A1, sat at a higher level: a live examiner, four parts, no reading or writing. The result has to come from an approved SELT centre.
Who needs A2
- Extending a partner or spouse visa after your first 30 months on the five-year route.
- Extending as a parent of a child in the UK on the same route.
- Anyone whose previous permission on the family route expires on or after 1 May 2017, which is when the A2 stage was introduced.
What the requirement actually is
Level A2
One step up from A1: you can hold a conversation about familiar things, describe your job, your family and your routine, and deal with everyday situations like an appointment or a complaint without preparing in advance.
Still speaking and listening only
The extension stage doesn't add a reading or writing paper. The change from A1 is the standard you're marked against, not the shape of the test.
You may not need to retake
If you already passed at A2 or higher on an approved SELT, and that result is still recognised, you may be able to rely on it rather than sitting another test. Check your certificate before you book.
What the test looks like
- It's one live test with a real examiner, in four parts: a short interview, a role play, a picture task, and a listen-and-talk task.
- Speaking and listening only. There is no reading or writing paper at A1, A2 or B1.
- You're marked on five criteria and the result is reported as Pass or Not yet at the level you sat, not as a band score.
The four parts are the same at every level. Our guide to the SELT Speaking & Listening test walks through each one with a sample task.
Rules worth knowing before you book
- It has to be a Secure English Language Test (SELT) taken at a Home Office approved test centre. A test from the same provider taken anywhere else is not accepted.
- A SELT result is valid for two years from the date it's awarded.
- You sit the level you need. Passing at a higher level also satisfies a lower requirement, so a B1 pass covers an A2 stage.
You may not need the test at all
The requirement doesn’t apply to everyone. You’re likely to be exempt if any of these is true:
- You're aged 65 or over.
- You have a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you meeting it, evidenced by a doctor.
- You're a national of a country the Home Office treats as majority English speaking, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA or Jamaica.
- You already hold a degree that was taught or researched in English.
What comes after A2
After five years on the route you apply for indefinite leave to remain, which asks for B1 in speaking and listening plus the Life in the UK test. If you're planning ahead, sitting B1 now instead of A2 can cover both stages, provided the result is still within date when you settle.
FAQ
What English level do I need to extend a UK family visa?
A2 in speaking and listening, taken as a Secure English Language Test at a Home Office approved centre.
How is A2 different from A1?
Same test, higher standard. At A2 you're expected to hold a conversation about familiar topics and handle everyday situations without the examiner slowing down for you.
I passed B1 before my first visa. Do I need to take A2?
Generally no: a pass at a higher level covers a lower requirement, as long as the result is from an approved SELT and still accepted. Check the certificate and the current rules before booking anything.
Is reading and writing tested at the extension stage?
No. The family route requirement at A2 covers speaking and listening only.
See where your English is right now
Record one answer to a real interview question and get it marked on the official criteria. No account needed.
Sources
This page summarises UK government guidance as it stood in September 2026. It’s general information about an English test, not immigration advice, and the rules change. Check your own application on GOV.UK before you book anything.