Can I Work In The UK Without IELTS?
An essential part of the UK working visa process is passing the IELTS exam. However, there are exceptions.
For more information about working in the UK without IELTS, call us on 0330 311 6351 and we will provide immediate help & assistance with your situation. We’re here to help you in person, via the phone, or online.
What is IELTS?
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is the world’s leading test of English for higher education and global migration. It assesses the skills needed for studying or working in an English-speaking environment.
The test is accepted by thousands of organizations in more than 140 countries worldwide including Australian, British, Canadian, and American universities, government departments, and immigration authorities.
IELTS tests all four English language proficiency skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. You can take IELTS at test locations around the world.
Page Contents
- What is IELTS?
- Why do you Need IELTS?
- Countries that Don’t Require the IELTS
- Can you Work in the UK without IELTS?
- Why Work in the UK without IELTS?
- How to Work in the UK without IELTS?
- Eligibility Requirements to Work in the UK without IELTS
- Documents Needed
- UK Work Visas that don’t require IELTS
- Can You Work in the UK as a Nurse without IELTS?
- Can International Students Study in the UK without IELTS?
- List of UK Universities That do not Require IELTS
- How IAS Can Help?

Why do you Need IELTS?
For most jobs in the UK, you will need to have basic English language skills to get the job. If your level of English is not high enough, you may not be able to get a job.
Some people are allowed to work in the UK without IELTS if they have a visa that allows them to work. For example, people who come from European Union countries do not need to secure an English test before they can come and live in the UK.
People from outside Europe can also live in Britain without needing an English test if they have been given refugee status or Humanitarian Protection by the Home Office (the government department responsible for immigration).
If you are planning on living permanently in Britain, then it is best for you to take an exam like IELTS even if you do not need it for work because it will help you learn more about the language and improve your English proficiency.
Countries that Don’t Require the IELTS
If you are a citizen of one of the following countries you do not need to prove your English language proficiency:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- the Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Jamaica
- Malta
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- USA
Can you Work in the UK without IELTS?
There are a lot of people who want to work in the UK but don’t have a degree. If you’re one of them, you might want to know if you can get a job without IELTS scores.
The answer is yes, but it depends on what kind of job you want to do and how qualified your competition is.
If you’re applying for a professional job in a field like medicine or law (and have no experience), then yes, you may need IELTS scores if you want to stand out from other candidates. However, if you’re applying for an administrative position that doesn’t require any special qualifications, then it’s much easier to get by without having IELTS scores.
If you do have some experience in the field, it’s still possible to get hired without passing all four parts of the test — just make sure your CV and cover letter shows that you have all the skills needed for the job and some relevant experience too.
Why Work in the UK without IELTS?
In the UK, it is very important to speak English. However, if you are one of those who can’t speak English very well then you should not worry about it because there are many jobs in the UK that don’t require you to speak English.
If you want to work in the UK without IELTS, then you need to apply for these kinds of jobs:
- Cashier: If you want to work in a grocery store or any other shop, then this is one of the best options for you. You don’t need to speak English as long as you can understand and follow instructions given by your employer.
- Factory worker: If you want to work in a factory and do some physical work then this will be a great option.
- Cleaner: If you want to work in a cleaning company and do some basic housework then this is one of the best options. You don’t need to speak English, it’s just about following instructions given by your employer.
How to Work in the UK without IELTS?
There are many ways in which you can obtain a visa without IELTS. You can apply for a student visa, then when your studies are over and you get your degree, you can apply for an extension on your student visa to work in the UK.
Note that you will have to prove your English knowledge when you apply for a UK study visa. You can do so by either clearing a Secure English Language Test (SELT), or have a GCSE, or higher/advanced higher education in English through study at a UK school (that you started when you were under 18).
You can also apply for a Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme visa. This visa is available to non-EU nationals who are between 18 and 30 years old, have graduated from a secondary school, and have at least £2,530 in their bank account. The visa is valid for up to 2 years while you search for employment in the UK. Once you’ve found your job, you’ll need to apply for a Tier 2 (General) visa. This visa allows you to work in the UK as long as your employer receives a certificate of sponsorship from the Home Office and pays for your Tier 2 visa application fee (around £500).
When you go through an agency that offers such services, they will help you with everything from getting a job to obtaining the right visa.
You can also contact us on 0330 311 6351 if you want to work in the UK without IELTS. We will help you with the whole process and get all the necessary paperwork done so that you can start working immediately.
Eligibility Requirements to Work in the UK without IELTS
To work in the UK, you need to have a valid passport and work visa. You will also need to get a certificate of sponsorship from your employer.
You can also get work authorization if you are applying for an intra-company transfer or if you are applying for settlement as a spouse or partner of someone who has been granted leave to remain as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) migrant.
If you’re not eligible for any of these options, then you will need to secure an English language test.
Documents Needed
If you want to work in the UK without IELTS, you will need to submit all of these documents:
- A valid passport with at least one blank page
- A visa application form and supporting documentation (including copies)
- Evidence of your right to work in the UK (for example, a letter from your employer)
- A criminal record check from your country of origin (this must be less than 12 months old)
- Evidence that you can support yourself in the UK (for example, bank statements)
Some jobs might also require a health check, so please check with the employer before you apply.
UK Work Visas that don’t require IELTS
Here are some work visas you can get without IELTS.
Innovator or Startup Visa
The Innovator Visa allows innovators from outside the EU or Switzerland who have an innovative idea or business plan that could benefit Britain to come and test their idea or start up their business before applying for residence.
The Innovator visa is one of the UK’s most popular visas. It allows you to start a business or set up a new venture in Britain, allowing you to test your idea without being tied down by job contracts or other commitments.
General Visa
If you’re a skilled worker, such as a computer programmer or accountant, then this is the visa for you. In order to qualify, your employer must be licensed by the Home Office (the UK’s immigration department). This means that they’re generally large, well-established companies that have been around for more than two years and are willing to sponsor employees from outside of the EU who qualify under their own criteria.
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
If you’re an employee of a larger company that has branches in the UK and abroad, then this visa is for you. It allows companies to transfer their employees from one branch to another without having to go through the process of hiring someone else.
Can You Work in the UK as a Nurse without IELTS?
Yes, you can work in the UK as a nurse without IELTS. You will need to have your Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) registration number and, if you are applying for a job with an employer that is registered with the NMC, they will ask you to provide them with this information.
If you’re not sure if your employer is registered with the NMC, check their website. If they are not registered with the NMC, they may still employ people from outside of the EU who have been granted permission to work in the UK under one of their immigration schemes.

Can International Students Study in the UK without IELTS?
Yes, you can study in the UK without IELTS. The British government has created a special visa category for students from non-English speaking countries. If you’re applying as an international student, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility criteria:
- You must have been living in your home country for at least two years before applying.
- You must be able to prove that you will return to your home country after graduating from university or college.
- You must be able to prove that you can financially support yourself while studying in the UK.
- You must have been accepted to a UK university or college. You will need to provide proof of your acceptance, such as an acceptance letter from the institution.
If you meet these criteria, you’ll be able to apply for a Student Visa without taking the IELTS test.
Students who have completed their academic programs in English-speaking countries, such as the United States and Canada, are also exempted from taking the IELTS. However, if they want to apply for a job in the UK without having an IELTS test result, they will have to prove a few things before applying:
- Completed high school education in an English-speaking country.
- Proof that the education was done using the English language.
- Proof of proficiency in writing and speaking skills in English by submitting letters of recommendation or references from previous employers or teachers at school or university.
List of UK Universities That do not Require IELTS
Below is a list of all UK universities that don’t require an IELTS test. You can apply to these UK universities as international students to get admission to Ph.D. degree programs, or a master’s degree program.
You can also contact us to get guidance on how to get into university in the UK without an IELTS score.
- University of Essex
- University of Central Lancashire
- University of Greenwich
- Aston University
- University of Northampton
- Robert Gordon University
- University of Basel
- Portsmouth University
- Northumbria University
- Audencia Nantes School of Management
- University of Bolton
- London South Bank University
- University of Geneva
- University of Plymouth
- Riga Technical University
- Bangor University
- University of Bristol
- University of Warwick
- Sheffield Hallam University
- Geneva Riga Technical University
How IAS Can Help?
If you are an international student looking to work in the UK, then you may be asking how can I work in the UK without IELTS.
IAS Immigration Advice Service is here to help you with your visa application process. We will guide you through every step of the process, from making sure that you meet all requirements for working in the UK without IELTS, to helping you get your visa approved and processed.
We can also help with any other immigration issues that might arise along the way. Our team of expert advisors has been helping people just like you with their immigration issues for years.
For more information about working in the UK without IELTS, call us on 0330 311 6351 and we will provide immediate help and assistance with your situation. We’re here to help you in person, via the phone, or online.
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Last modified on January 20th, 2023 at 9:06 am

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