IELTS Testing Centres in the Philippines

Hello BF friends.

I just came across the Philippine Embassy website announcement. There was an advisory for UK-bound applicants to take IELTS (International English Language Testing System) only in the UKVI (United Kingdom Visas and Immigration) accredited testing centres.

Here are the details:
Source: http://philembassy-uk.org/advisory-...ielts-only-at-ukvi-accredited-testing-centres

The Embassy of the Philippines in London has advised those who are seeking employment in the United Kingdom to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) only at testing centers managed and supervised by service providers accredited by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
As of 6 April 2015, IELTS tests may only be taken at these authorized test centers. If IELTS test is not taken at an approved secure test center by the applicant, then he/she will be required to retake the IELTS prior to applying for a UK Visa. However, if the applicant has taken a previously approved test on or before 5 April 2015, he/she may still use it in a UK immigration application until 5 November 2015.
The UKVI has identified five (5) test centres in the Philippines for IELTS Secure English Language Test Consortium:
Cebu City
British Council Cebu at Radisson Blu Sergio Osmena Boulevard Corner, Juan Luna Avenue, Cebu City
IDP Cebu at Cebu City Marriot Hotel, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
IDP Cebu at Unit 104 G/F Keppel Center, Cardinal Rosales Avenue, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City
Quezon City
British Council Manila at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ortigas Avenue Corner, Asian Development Bank Avenue, Quezon City
Makati City
IDP Manila at 7th Floor Salustiana D Ty Tower, 104 Paseo de Roxas, Legaspi Village, Makati City

IELTS applicants may also visit the following links for guidance:
UK Visas and Immigration
Secure assessment centres
British Council
Further IELTS information
Further information on Visa

Please be guided

For those taking the test, I would suggest using IDP rather than the British Council. The British Council on-line booking system is a shambles. I tried to pay several times but each time it was rejected, I think because the daily limit for payments to the British Council was exceeded. There were other problems too.

IDP does have the two text centres listed in Cebu but the A1 test, which would be applicable to UKVI spouse/fiancée visa applicants, can only be taken at the Keppel Center. If you go to the wrong center though, you only have about a 200 metre walk to the correct one.

I just passed to my A1 exam and the exam only took less than 30mins for listening and speaking, i didnt expect that the exam was easy than i thought its very different to ielts before, as i remember for listening its was only 6 questions

That's good to hear, elizdave. Congratulations!

At least you don't have to go through all the 4 categories (listening, reading, writing, speaking) that I did. Lucky you. One burden off your shoulders now. All the best on your application.

The A1 test looks so easy. I booked it yesterday for my wife, and there's a video link in the email she received showing an example of the test. It was hilarious. A bit like this:

Interviewer: Do you have any pets?

Non-English Immigrant type (aged about 8): I have a dog, a cat and some fish.

Interviewer: I have a dog. His name is Bob. This is a picture of Bob.

Shows pictures to non-English Immigrant type (agd about 8).

Interviewer: Where is Bob?

Non-English Immigrant type (aged about 8): Bob is on the box.

Interviewer: Where is Bob now?

Non-English Immigrant type (aged about 8): Bob is under the box.

And so on.

If someone can't pass this then, to be honest, they have no right to be marrying a British person anyway!

Now, if ever my wife doesn't quite understand something in English I say "Where is Bob? Bob is on the box" to her and she punches me in the face.

It does sound laughable and I don't mean to sound derogatory to our Filipino visitors but preposition is something I have noticed as something not always easily grasped. Indeed if you look at some posts you will see it.So as simplistic as it may sound, it is something that a Brit unconsciously does. I'm not suggesting a "I can speak better English" mentality here, merely an observation. Other than that our Filipino friends put lots of English people to shame.

Certainly a literal translation from Bisaya accounts for this. Indeed there is no him/her either and you can see this in written / verbal conversation on occasions too.

Hi everyone, I heard just now about the IELTS UKVI life skills A1 for spouse visa. I didn't fully understand what all about the changes.
2years ago, I took regular IELTS academic module (no ielts UKVI yet that time), UK embassy Philippines found no problem with my English exam module. My concerns, I scheduled for IELTS UKVI academic module again, do UK embassy Philippines specific with the test needs to take for certain visa? Or I can use any modules, just to make sure I met the A1 score requirements?
Anyone knows about this, highly appreciated.

The new IELTS tests that are approved by UKVI are specific to UK visa applicants and termed IELTS SELT (Secure English Language Test) You must take one of the new IELTS SELT tests and not any other IELTS test. There is also extra security for IELTS SELT tests, which is why they cost more, that includes the taking of fingerprints.

The taking of fingerprints also now applies for the TB Test and when you finally provide your supporting documents to VFS Global, so everything can be cross-checked!

Thank for the info Howerd. Yes I will take IELTS UKVI (designed for UK only), but academic module not life skills A1 which one of requirements for settlement visa. (IELTS score needs A1 or 4.0 both listening and speaking)

Makes me worried if UKBA will be considered my test results academic module instead of life skills A1 module?

You can read more here on whether your existing IELTS is acceptable...

http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/ielts_in_the_uk/for_uk_visas_and_immigration.aspx


AFAIK, there is no 'Academic' version of the IELTS UKVI test.

Hi, I understand that I need to take A1 module for fiancée visa application, however I noticed they also have B1 module for ILR application. Does that mean I have to take IELTS again for B1 module after I got married for my first ILR? thanks.

In theory If you take at the higher level then you shouldn't need to do the test twice.

I believe UKVI should apply that theory too. But based on their new rule, starting April 2015, they wont accept just any IELTS test results, it must be IELTS for UKVI based on your visa needs. I was hoping I could use my academic ielts results that I took last year, but with this new rule, I have to sit again for lower level exam.

Quite frankly it's ridiculous. If that is the case it a blatant money making scheme. My wife has been able to use her existing expired IELTS in ongoing applications. After reading Howerds post seems we will have to take another test. I was hoping we could use the existing one again.

I agree, having to take a lower qualification when you already have a higher one just doesn't make any sense at all, crazy.

The UKVI never seem to apply common sense.

Seems like the have a much easier exam that what we had before?

I wondered the same thing but I did not want to take the risk so I got my wife to take the A1 test as I could find no definitive evidence they would accept the new B1 Test in lieu of the new A1 test. Under the old test system a B1 test was acceptable.

I did not even look to see if you can take the UKVI B1 test in The Philippines, it may not even be possible. Even if it were, I think the results would only be valid for 12 months, so pretty useless when it comes to the ILR stage.

It could be argued that the B1 test may be useful for other things when you come to the UK, but I wonder how acceptable a low-level B1 qualification that is UKVI specific would be to support any application for work or study. So, if you do need a better English qualification, just take the A1 test in The Philippines and then take the usual (non UKVI) IELTS in the UK.

Hi to al. I took Ielts general training at idp and got a score of 6.0 last April 2015. Im wondering if i need to take the A1 test for fiance visa as i will apply on february next year. Thanks in advance.

My Girlfriend is applying for a Fiance visa and we have been told that she will have to have an English test and we should book it, but which one? I see they have a "General", "Academic" and also I saw references to "A1" and "B1" tests as well as a "Life Skills" test. Please can somebody tell me which one, or ones, she will have to take?

Thanks in Advance

S.

Take a look at the link below for IELTS, you will require A1 for a settlement visa, everything you need to know is on their website;

http://www.ielts.org/test_takers_information/ielts_in_the_uk/for_uk_visas_and_immigration.aspx