Life in the UK Test

You will have to bring your Identification Documents to the test centre, and show them to your Test Supervisor. YOur ID must have your photograph, and the photograph must actually look like you. One of the following documents is acceptable:

Your passport
UK photocard Driving License, either full or provisional
CTD (COnvention Travel Document)
CID (Certificate of Identity Document)
SPD (Stateless Person Document)
your Immigration Status document, endorsed with a UK Resident Permit and bearing a holder’s photograph

You will have to provide your postcode, if you don’t know it, make sure to bring a piece of mail that contains your postcode.

If you made your reservation, and need to cancel or postpone the date of the test, you must advise your test centre as soon as possible. You could be charged a £10 administration fee if you give less than 7 days notice. This also depends on each centre; inquire on what the conditions are when you contact your nearest centre.

At this time the exam costs 34 pounds. VAT could be added to the test in the near future, which will slightly increase the final price.
Payment must be made at the test centre, before taking the test. Payment methods depend on each test centre.

There are about a hundred Life in the UK Test centres in the United Kingdom. You can book your test online using our Book Your Test page.

Depending on how busy the test centre is, you can get a place in a test session within one to four weeks from the date of your request. You will also have to wait a minimum of 7 days between making the request and the first opportunity to take the test.

What are the schedules of these test centres?

Every test centre has a different schedule, so the best is to call the centre before going. Visit our Book Your Test page.

The Life in the United Kingdom test was launched by Tony Blair’s government in November 2005. Since that time, thousands of people took this test and became British Citizens. To settle in a new country is a major change. The UK Government wants to make sure that candidates for settlement and eventually citizenship fully embrace British values, or - since this is quite hard to establish - that they at least are aware of what these values are. It is also the purpose of this test to make sure the newcomers know Britain’s basic history, culture, traditions and political structure.

If you are elegible, and intend to become British Citizen, OR if you are elegible, and intend to settle in the United Kingdom on a permanent basis (ILR), you will have to take the Life in the UK test.

If your level of English is not high enough (ESOL 3 Minimum), you will have to take English classes combined with citizenship classes instead of taking the test.

How to test the level of your English? Your nearest local further education college or learndirect centre can evaluate your knowledge. To find your nearest learndirect centre, click here.

You can always call the Immigration and Nationality Enquiry Office at 0870-606-7766 for further information on whether or not you need to take the Life in the UK test.

Throughout UK, the test is offered in Engish, but in Wales and Scotland you can also take it in Welsh and Gaelic respectively. No other languages are supported.

The test should be passed by the candidate BEFORE applying for citizenship or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). Make sure you satisfy all other requirements before applying.

Useful telephone numbers:

British Citizenship Helpline: 0845 010 5200
ILR Helpline: 0870 606 7766
Life in the UK Test Helpline: 0800 0154245