B2 SELT Speaking and Listening Test Booking 2027: When Will the Home Office-Approved B2 SELT Test Open?

Complete Guide & FAQs

By Hamlets Desk
Hamlets Training Centre | English Language, SELT & Life in the UK Test Specialists
🌐 https://hamlets.org.uk

B2 SELT Speaking and Listening Test – The Question Thousands of UK Visa Applicants Are Asking

Every day, prospective applicants contact Hamlets Training Centre (https://hamlets.org.uk) with one simple but important question:

“When can I book the new B2 SELT Speaking and Listening test?”

Many candidates have already completed their English preparation. Others are ready to book immediately. However, after searching the websites of the four Home Office-approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) providers, they cannot find a dedicated B2 Speaking and Listening SELT available for booking.

To provide accurate and reliable information, Hamlets Training Centre reviewed the latest guidance published by:

This article explains what is officially confirmed, what is not yet available, and what candidates should do next.

The UK Government Has Confirmed the Future B2 Requirement

The UK Government has published a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules, confirming that, for the relevant immigration route, the required English language level will increase from CEFR B1 to CEFR B2 from 26 March 2027.

Official Statement of Changes:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-rules-statement-of-changes

Until 25 March 2027, applicants may continue to meet the current B1 requirement where it applies under the existing Immigration Rules.

From 26 March 2027, the relevant Immigration Rules require evidence of B2 CEFR instead of B1 CEFR.

This legislative change has already been confirmed.

However, what has not yet been announced is when candidates will actually be able to book the required B2 Speaking and Listening SELT examination.

Which Organisations Can Provide an Approved SELT?

The UK Home Office currently recognises four approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) providers.

IELTS UKVI

https://ielts.org

Trinity College London

https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/SELT

LANGUAGECERT

https://selt.languagecert.org

Pearson PTE Home

https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-home

Only tests offered by approved providers are accepted for UK immigration purposes.

What Is Currently Available?

After reviewing the official websites of all four approved providers, the current position is clear.

IELTS UKVI

IELTS currently offers:

  • IELTS Life Skills A1
  • IELTS Life Skills A2
  • IELTS Life Skills B1

For candidates requiring CEFR B2, IELTS currently directs applicants towards the UKVI Academic or General Training four-skills examination, which assesses Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, rather than a dedicated Speaking and Listening-only SELT.

More information:
https://ielts.org

Trinity College London

Trinity currently advertises:

  • GESE Grade 2 (A1)
  • GESE Grade 3 (A2)
  • GESE Grade 5 (B1)

Its published Home Office SELT information currently relates to the approved B1 Speaking and Listening examination used for settlement and British citizenship applications.

At the time of writing, no dedicated B2 Speaking and Listening SELT is listed.

Official website:
https://www.trinitycollege.com/qualifications/SELT

LANGUAGECERT

LANGUAGECERT currently provides:

  • ESOL SELT B1 Speaking & Listening

Its booking system, preparation materials and candidate guidance currently relate to the approved B1 examination only.

Official website:
https://selt.languagecert.org

Pearson PTE Home

Pearson currently offers:

  • PTE Home A1
  • PTE Home A2
  • PTE Home B1

At the time of writing, no dedicated PTE Home B2 Speaking and Listening SELT is publicly available for booking.

Official website:
https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-home

So Why Can’t Candidates Find the B2 SELT Test?

The answer is straightforward.

Although the Immigration Rules confirm that the English language requirement will become B2 from 26 March 2027, none of the four Home Office-approved SELT providers has yet published a dedicated B2 Speaking and Listening SELT available for public booking.

This explains why thousands of applicants searching online every day cannot currently find one.

When Will the B2 SELT Booking Window Open?

This is the most common question received by Hamlets Training Centre.

The truthful answer is:

No official booking date has yet been announced.

Neither the UK Home Office nor any of the four approved SELT providers has published:

  • a booking launch date;
  • available examination dates;
  • the official B2 Speaking and Listening test specification;
  • candidate preparation materials; or
  • details of test centre availability.

Therefore, any website or individual claiming to know an official booking date should be treated with caution unless the information comes directly from:

  • GOV.UK
  • IELTS UKVI
  • Trinity College London
  • LANGUAGECERT
  • Pearson PTE Home

Hamlets Training Centre’s Advice to Candidates

At Hamlets Training Centre (https://hamlets.org.uk), we strongly encourage candidates not to delay their preparation simply because bookings have not yet opened.

Moving from CEFR B1 to CEFR B2 represents a significant increase in English language ability.

Candidates are likely to need:

  • stronger speaking fluency;
  • improved listening skills;
  • greater grammatical accuracy;
  • wider vocabulary;
  • better pronunciation;
  • increased confidence in real-life conversations.

Starting early provides more time to improve naturally rather than rushing when bookings eventually become available.

We recommend that candidates:

  • begin preparing for B2 English now;
  • practise English speaking every day;
  • improve listening through authentic English materials;
  • expand everyday and workplace vocabulary;
  • build confidence through regular conversation practice;
  • follow only official announcements from GOV.UK and approved SELT providers;
  • avoid rumours circulating on social media; and
  • never pay unofficial organisations claiming to offer B2 SELT bookings before an approved provider announces availability.

Hamlets Training Centre continues to monitor developments closely.

As soon as official guidance, booking information or approved preparation materials are released, we aim to update our learners promptly.

Prepare Early with Hamlets Training Centre

If you are planning your UK visa journey, now is the ideal time to improve your English.

Hamlets Training Centre offers:

  • B1 SELT Preparation
  • B2 SELT Preparation
  • Speaking & Listening Practice
  • One-to-One Tuition
  • Online Classes
  • Face-to-Face Classes
  • Life in the UK Test Preparation

🌐 Book your course today:

https://hamlets.org.uk

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Is the B2 SELT Speaking and Listening test available now?

No. At the time of writing (27 July 2026), none of the four Home Office-approved SELT providers publicly offers a dedicated B2 Speaking and Listening SELT for booking.

Q2. Can I still take the B1 SELT?

Yes.

If your immigration route currently accepts B1 and your application is submitted before the relevant rule change takes effect, the current requirement remains applicable.

Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt

Q3. Has the Government confirmed B2?

Yes.

The Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules confirms the move from B1 to B2 for the relevant immigration route from 26 March 2027.

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-rules-statement-of-changes

Q4. Has any provider announced the B2 booking date?

No.

At the time of writing, IELTS UKVI, Trinity College London, LANGUAGECERT and Pearson PTE Home have not announced a booking launch date.

Q5. Should I wait until bookings open?

No.

Hamlets Training Centre recommends beginning your English preparation as early as possible.

Q6. Which organisations currently provide approved SELT tests?

The four approved providers are:

Q7. Will Hamlets Training Centre provide B2 preparation?

Yes.

Hamlets Training Centre intends to provide comprehensive preparation support based on the official test format once it is published by the Home Office-approved SELT providers.

For course information and bookings:

https://hamlets.org.uk

Disclaimer

This article has been prepared by Hamlets Desk for general educational and informational purposes only.

The information is based on publicly available guidance published by:

  • GOV.UK
  • IELTS UKVI
  • Trinity College London
  • LANGUAGECERT
  • Pearson PTE Home

as reviewed on 27 July 2026.

Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, immigration laws, English language requirements, approved test formats and booking arrangements may change without notice.

This article does not constitute legal or immigration advice.

Readers should always refer to the latest guidance published on:

before making any visa application or booking an English language test.

Hamlets Training Centre accepts no responsibility for decisions made solely on the basis of this article.

Contact Hamlets Training Centre

Hamlets Training Centre
English Language | SELT | Life in the UK Test Specialists

🌐 Website: https://hamlets.org.uk

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