2015.03.17
Eiken Foundation of Japan
This announcement is intended for IELTS test takers who are planning on sitting the IELTS as part of the application for UK visas. If you make a visa application to stay or move to the UK, please go through this announcement carefully. You need to be aware of changes made by United Kingdom Visas & Immigration (UKVI). Test takers making visa applications to countries other than UK will not be affected.
UKVI has made an important announcement on 20 February 2015 regarding changes to the Secure English Language Tests (SELT) for UK visa purposes. In line with these changes, starting from 6 April 2015, two different IELTS, ‘IELTS for UKVI’ and 'IELTS Life Skills' will be introduced.
●For quick Q&A on changes for IELTS, please visit the IELTS Official Website:
●Please visit the British Council's website below for the official announcement by UKVI made on 9 March 2015.
Test takers applying for Tier 4 Student visa – degree level and above to a Highly Trusted Sponsors (HTS), the current IELTS will still be valid for application to these institutions. However, we strongly recommend you confirm this information with the respective institutions before making your application. There may be institutions with additional requirements.
●List of Highly Trusted Sponsors (HTS)
(1) ‘Current’ IELTS (administered by the Eiken Foundation of Japan)
Starting from 6 April 2015, results of this test will not be applicable for certain types of UK visas. The results of this IELTS will still be valid for any types of visas outside UK.
(2) ‘IELTS for UKVI’ and ‘IELTS Life Skills’ (administered by the British Council)
The test will be implemented from 25 April 2015. Required for application to specific types of UK visas.
Please visit the British Council’s website for details on the procedures to register for ‘IELTS for UKVI’ and ‘IELTS Life Skills’. The registration for the test is scheduled to start from 26 March 2015 (if you have difficulty connecting to the registration website, please contact ielts.ukvi@britishcouncil.or.jp).
●British Council Japan Website
If you have already registered for the ‘current’ IELTS but need to take the ‘IELTS for UKVI’ for your visa, please contact the Eiken Foundation of Japan IELTS office. The contact address to our office can be found below. We will be taking special measures for cancellation and refund. A ‘Cancelation Form’ along with a ‘Request for Refund Form’ will be sent out from our office via email. Please fill out these forms out and send them back to our office.
●Registered for Tokyo, Yokohama, Saitama, Sapporo, Matsumoto, or Kanazawa ⇒ jp500ielts@eiken.or.jp
●Registered for Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Okayama, or Fukuoka ⇒ jp512ielts@eiken.or.jp
The change in the UK government policy will be effective from 6 April 2015. All IELTS results before 5 April 2015 will be valid for any UK visa applications until 5 November 2015. Test takers who are subject to take ‘IELTS for UKVI’ or ‘IELTS Life Skills’, please note that IELTS scores from the ‘current’ IELTS will not be considered after 6 November 2015.
We are aware that the announcement by the UK government has caused inconveniences and confusion amongst test takers and all parties concerned. The Eiken Foundation of Japan intends to fully comply with the UK government’s policy and will work alongside the British Council to exert our best efforts in maintaining a stable examining condition for all test takers. Also the ‘current’ IELTS sessions will be conducted as scheduled by the Eiken Foundation of Japan. We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
Please Note:
This announcement has been compiled using the information the Eiken Foundation of Japan was granted access to by our official partners. Further announcements, amendments and updates will be made as more information becomes available.
Thank you for your understanding.
Eiken Foundation of Japan - IELTS Office
Tokyo Centre (JP500) Tel: 03-3266-6852 / Fax: 03-3266-6145
Osaka Centre (JP512) Tel: 06-6455-6286 / Fax: 06-6455-6287