When applying for a UK student or work visa, you may need the UKVI IELTS (IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration) or MUKVI IELTS (a newer, mobile variant). Both are Secure English Language Tests (SELT) approved by UKVI, ensuring your English proficiency meets visa requirements.

1. What Are UKVI and MUKVI IELTS?

• UKVI IELTS is identical in content and scoring to standard IELTS but must be taken at UKVI-approved centres with stricter security and biometric verification
• MUKVI IELTS is a mobile version for remote or outreach settings but follows the same format and rules.

These exams are essential for Visa types such as Tier 4 (General) and Skilled Worker, and for university CAS verification in the UK.

2. Test Types and Format

UKVI and MUKVI both offer:

• Academic (for degree-level study)
• General Training (for non-degree study or migration)
• Life Skills A1/B1 (for family visas or indefinite leave to remain)

4. How to Choose: UKVI vs MUKVI vs Standard IELTS

• Studying or working in the UK? Go for UKVI Academic/General.
• Applying for family or settlement visas? Choose UKVI Life Skills A1 or B1 (en.wikipedia.org).
• For other countries (US, Canada, Australia), standard IELTS is sufficient.

5. Test Centers and Availability in Pakistan

• Only computer-based UKVI exams are offered in Pakistan — no paper versions after Oct 2024
• Main providers: British Council, IDP, and AEO, with approved centres in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Gujrat

Life Skills:

Offered at select UKVI centres in major cities for specific visa needs (en.wikipedia.org).

6. Exam Fees 2025 (Pakistan)

Latest fee data (check official sources before booking):

• Academic & General – Computer-based UKVI: PKR 60,500 across major cities
• IELTS Academic/General (non-UKVI): PKR 66,400–67,100
• UKVI Life Skills (A1/B1): PKR 46,700 (ielts.idp.com).

Ancillary fees for date changes, rescheduling, TRF reprints also apply .

7. Booking & Preparation

1. Register via the British Council Pakistan portal or IDP website.
2. Choose exam type: UKVI Academic, General, or Life Skills.
3. Pay the fee online.
4. Prepare using standard IELTS guides and UKVI-specific tips (Security check, identity documents). You don’t need extra content prep – just be aware of stricter regulations.

Test day tip: carry photo ID and passport, arrive early, and follow UKVI exam rules.

8. Result Timeline

• Computer-based UKVI results: 1–5 days after test
• Standard paper IELTS: 13 days

Life Skills: results available within a week

9. Why UKVI / MUKVI IELTS Matters

• These tests are essential for securing a UK student visa, work permit, or family settlement, all of which require a SELT.
• The UKVI TRF includes verifiable fraud-proof details like biometric upload and validation stamp, critical for CAS or visa issuance.

If you’re applying for a UK visa (student, work, family), always choose UKVI or MUKVI IELTS—depending on availability and your visa category. Book through UKVI-approved centres, verify your ID documents (passport), and prepare using official IELTS textbooks and practice materials. Need help choosing the correct IELTS category or want booking support? Contact a counsellor at Shaheen Advisors today!