Lists of approved English test centres updated in and outside the UK
Published Checked by Edward Owusu
At a glance
What changed
On 26 October 2026, the lists of approved test centres for secure English language tests were updated. A secure English language test (SELT) is an English test used for visa and citizenship applications. There is one list for centres in the UK and one for centres outside the UK. The lists are spreadsheets, and they were not read for this update, so it does not say which centres were added or removed.
Who it affects
People who plan to take a SELT for a visa or citizenship application. This includes people applying on the Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker routes, which need a test of reading, writing, speaking and listening. It also includes people applying for routes such as partner, parent, settlement and citizenship, which need a test of speaking and listening.
When it starts
The lists were updated on 26 October 2026. The source does not give a separate date for when the new lists take effect.
What it does not change
The update note only mentions the test centre lists. The guidance says a test result is only accepted if the test is on the approved list, was taken at an approved test location, and was awarded in the two years before the application. Test results are valid for 2 years from the date the test is awarded. In the UK, the approved providers are Trinity College London, IELTS SELT Consortium, LANGUAGECERT and Pearson. Outside the UK, they are PSI Services (UK) Ltd, IELTS SELT Consortium, LANGUAGECERT and Pearson. The guidance says more test centres will be added as new provider services become available. It also says SELT providers' websites show when tests are available and whether a test centre is open.