Do I Need to Take the Life in the UK Test?
You need to pass the Life in the UK Test if you are applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) or British citizenship and you are aged 18 to 64. If you are under 18, or 65 or over, you do not have to take it.
- Required for
- ILR & citizenship
- Age
- 18 to 64
- Under 18
- Exempt
- 65 or over
- Exempt
Who has to take the test
- Applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain (settlement): required if aged 18 to 64
- Applying for British citizenship (naturalisation): required if aged 18 to 64
- Under 18, or 65 and over: exempt, no test needed
- Long-term physical or mental condition: may be exempt with a doctor's letter
The test is one of two requirements
For most ILR and citizenship routes you must meet the Knowledge of Language and Life requirement. That means passing the Life in the UK Test and proving your English at the required level. Passing the test alone is not enough on its own, but it is the part most people worry about.
Need to take it? Start preparing free
If you are aged 18 to 64 and heading for ILR or citizenship, the Life in the UK Test is unavoidable, so the sooner you start practising, the sooner it is behind you.
Take a free mock testOur practice questions and explanations, in your own language, make the test far less intimidating than it first looks.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need the test for ILR and for citizenship?
- Yes. You normally need to pass the Life in the UK Test once for Indefinite Leave to Remain, and the same pass counts again when you later apply for British citizenship. You never have to take it twice.
- Am I exempt because of my age?
- Yes. If you are under 18, or aged 65 or over, when you apply, you do not need to take the Life in the UK Test.
- Can I be exempt for medical reasons?
- You may be. If you have a long-term physical or mental condition that prevents you from taking the test, you can apply for an exemption with supporting evidence from a doctor.
- Do I still need to prove my English?
- In most cases yes. The Life in the UK Test and the English language requirement are separate parts of the same Knowledge of Language and Life rule for ILR and citizenship.