IELTS for Settlement & Citizenship 2026: UK ILR, Australia, NZ Guide

IELTS for UK ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) is the final English language hurdle for Indian immigrants seeking permanent settlement in the United Kingdom. After living in the UK for 5 years on a work or family visa, you must demonstrate English at B1 level to qualify for ILR. But IELTS for UK ILR is just one piece of the global settlement puzzle — Australia, New Zealand, and Canada each have their own citizenship English requirements, and the thresholds range from no test at all (Australia citizenship) to CLB 4 for Canada. This guide from EEC covers the exact English requirements for permanent settlement and citizenship in every major destination, test options, preparation strategies, and how EEC's coaching at ₹7,500 prepares you for your settlement milestone.

UK ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) — English at B1 Level

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the UK's form of permanent residency. After living in the UK for 5 continuous years on an eligible visa (Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker, Spouse/Partner, or others), you can apply for ILR. One of the mandatory requirements is proving English at CEFR B1 level. This can be demonstrated through:

The most common route for Indian applicants is IELTS Life Skills B1 or LanguageCert B1. Life Skills B1 tests only Speaking and Listening at a slightly higher level than A1/A2. The test lasts about 22 minutes and involves a conversation with the examiner and another candidate on topics like community services, local facilities, work experiences, and future plans. The result is Pass/Fail — no band scores. If you already scored B1 or above on IELTS UKVI for your initial visa, that score may be accepted for ILR provided it is still within its validity period (2 years) or if the visa was granted on its basis.

You also need to pass the Life in the UK Test (LITUK) for ILR, which is a 24-question multiple-choice test on British history, culture, values, and governance. The fee is £50, taken at an approved centre. You need 75% (18/24) to pass. The LITUK is separate from the English language requirement — you need both.

UK Citizenship — B1 English + Life in the UK Test

After holding ILR for at least 12 months (in most cases), you can apply for British citizenship (naturalisation). The English requirement for citizenship is the same as ILR: B1 level, demonstrated through Life Skills B1, LanguageCert B1, a UK degree, or nationality exemption. You also need to pass the Life in the UK Test if you haven't already done so for ILR.

British citizenship gives you: a UK passport (allowing visa-free travel to 190+ countries), the right to vote, the right to work in the UK without restrictions, access to consular protection worldwide, and the ability to pass citizenship to your children born abroad. The naturalisation fee is £1,580 (2026). The total journey from initial visa to citizenship takes a minimum of 6 years (5 years to ILR + 1 year to citizenship). EEC's UK settlement team provides guidance through every stage.

Australia Citizenship — No Formal English Test

Australia does not require a formal English test for citizenship. Instead, English proficiency is assessed through the Australian Citizenship Test itself, which is conducted in English. The test has 20 multiple-choice questions on Australian values, history, and governance. You need 75% (15/20) to pass. If you can understand and answer the questions in English, you have demonstrated sufficient English competency for citizenship.

Eligibility for Australian citizenship requires: at least 4 years of lawful residence (with at least 12 months as a permanent resident), good character, adequate knowledge of Australia (the citizenship test), and the intention to live in Australia. There is no IELTS or other English test requirement beyond the citizenship test. This makes Australia one of the most accessible citizenship pathways for Indian immigrants who may have weaker English but have lived and integrated in Australia.

New Zealand Citizenship — No Formal English Test

New Zealand does not require a formal English test for citizenship either. Citizenship by grant requires: 5 years of residence, good character, sufficient knowledge of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship, and the ability to understand and speak English to a basic level. The English ability is assessed informally — typically through the citizenship interview where an immigration officer confirms you can communicate in English.

For Indian immigrants who entered New Zealand on a Skilled Migrant visa (which required IELTS 6.5), the citizenship English requirement is effortlessly met. Even those who entered through partner or family visas will typically have sufficient English after 5 years of living in an English-speaking country. There is no written English test for New Zealand citizenship.

Canada Citizenship — CLB 4 (Very Low Bar)

Canada requires applicants aged 18–54 to demonstrate English (or French) at CLB 4 for citizenship. CLB 4 corresponds to approximately IELTS GT 4.0 in each band — a very basic level of English. This can be proven through IELTS GT, CELPIP-General, PTE Core, or evidence of completion of a government-funded language programme in Canada.

CLB 4 is deliberately set low to be inclusive — Canada wants immigrants to naturalise. Most Indian permanent residents who entered through Express Entry (which required CLB 7+) far exceed this threshold. For sponsored spouses who did not take an English test for their PR, achieving CLB 4 requires only basic English — achievable with 4–6 weeks of preparation. CELPIP at ₹12,500 is the cheapest option for meeting the Canadian citizenship English requirement.

Preparation for Life Skills B1 — What to Expect

IELTS Life Skills B1 is a 22-minute Speaking and Listening test conducted at a SELT-approved centre. The test has four phases:

Phase 1a (2–3 minutes): The examiner asks you and the other candidate individual questions about familiar topics (work, hobbies, daily routine, neighbourhood). Phase 1b (2–3 minutes): You listen to audio recordings and answer questions about what you heard (phone messages, announcements, short conversations). Phase 2a (2–3 minutes): You and the other candidate discuss a topic together (e.g., choosing a venue for an event, planning a community activity). Phase 2b (3–4 minutes): You and the other candidate plan something together, discussing options and reaching an agreement.

At B1 level, you are expected to: express opinions, explain preferences, describe experiences, understand the main points of clear speech on familiar matters, and interact with another speaker on everyday topics. You do not need academic English, complex vocabulary, or perfect grammar. Natural communication with reasonable fluency is what the examiner assesses.

“I needed Life Skills B1 for my UK ILR after 5 years on a Skilled Worker visa. I was nervous because I hadn't taken any English test since my initial visa. EEC's B1 coaching covered exactly what the test expects — community discussions, planning activities, and responding to audio. I passed easily on the first attempt. Now I have ILR and am planning my citizenship application.”

— Suresh K., ILR granted, London \u2014 originally from Gujarat

EEC Settlement Coaching — ₹7,500

EEC provides coaching for every settlement English pathway: Life Skills B1 (for UK ILR and citizenship), LanguageCert B1 (SELT alternative for UK), IELTS GT/CELPIP/PTE Core (for Canada citizenship), and general IELTS (for any country where you need to maintain or prove English). All programmes cost ₹7,500 and are available online from anywhere in the world — ideal for Indians already settled abroad who need settlement-stage coaching.

EEC's settlement coaching also includes guidance on the Life in the UK Test (LITUK) and Canadian citizenship test. Beyond test preparation, EEC provides free visa extension and settlement counselling to help you navigate the complex ILR/citizenship application process. With 27+ years of experience, EEC has helped thousands of Indians reach the settlement milestone in the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Frequently Asked Questions: IELTS for Settlement & Citizenship

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