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I am about to apply for a UK Skilled Worker visa.

For that I need to prove proficiency in English, and I chose Pearson as one of the designated providers of English tests. Pearson provides, among others, the following two tests:

  • PTE Home B1 (cheaper, takes about 30 minutes),
  • PTE Academic UKVI (more expensive, takes about 3 hours).

Question: Is passing a PTE Home B1 test sufficient for a Skilled Worker visa application?

Given all the circumstances (costs, duration, but also the date and location of the tests) I would really prefer to go with PTE Home B1 if possible.

I find that there is contradictory information around on this.

GOV.UK states that they accept PTE Home tests, and that a Skilled Worker visa application requires a proof of proficiency on level B1. However, the first statement appears on a site not specific to the a Skilled Worker visa, and could as well mean that some visa types allow a PTE Home test (e.g. spouse visa require only PTE Home A1). The Skilled Worker specific site is not talking about PTE Home.

Pearson recommends PTE Academic UKVI for this kind of visa.

I have contacted several parties with this question:

  • The UK Visa and Immigration International Contact Center replied with a generic answer copied from here (the same link as above), not explicitly talking about the Skilled Worker visa or PTE Home B1. They says, Yes, PTE Home is okay, but the wording gives me doubt about their understanding of my specific question.
  • The HR Immigration Support Team at my future working place replied that I need the PTE Academic UKVI, but gave no further reason. Note that they do not care about any tests themselves (i.e. I do not have to prove my language abilities to them), but they only care about me having the visa.
  • Pearson themselves replied with a generic copy from their FAQ, stating that PTE Academic is appropriate. I consider this a non-answer, because it says nothing about whether PTE Home B1 is suitable or not. Given that they make a profit of selling more expensive tests, I am skeptical about this answer.
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  • Any update on this? I am in the same situation?
    – user27448
    Jul 4 at 17:31
  • @user27448 In the end I did not require the test since I went with a different visa type (Global Talent). But if I would need to do a test I would probably trust the answer of xngtng below.
    – M. Rumpy
    Jul 5 at 22:35

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However, the first statement appears on a site not specific to the a Skilled Worker visa, and could as well mean that some visa types allow a PTE Home test (e.g. spouse visa require only PTE Home A1).

You are correct. The exact requirements differ, both on the level needed and the skills assessed.

PTE Home B1 (cheaper, takes about 30 minutes)

PTE Academic UKVI (more expensive, takes about 3 hours).

The most important difference between the two tests: PTE Home does not test reading and writing skills, both of which must be proved in addition to listening and speaking skills for a Skilled Worker visa.

You must prove you can read, write, speak and understand English to at least level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) scale.

https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/knowledge-of-english

The list of approved tests available on the other page contains information on whether a test is 2-facet (oral skills only) or 4-facet (all four skills).

Thus, for skilled worker visas, the PTE Home test alone is not enough. You should take the Academic one (or other approved f-facet tests).

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