Does the Life in the UK Test expire?

Does your pass run out?

There is no expiry date on a Life in the UK Test pass. If you passed some years ago, that pass still counts today. This matters because many people pass the test for settlement first and apply for citizenship later, sometimes years apart.

GOV.UK does not state an expiry, and immigration sources consistently treat a pass as permanent. This is well-established guidance rather than a line you will find written on the GOV.UK test pages, so we label it honestly rather than dressing it up as an official rule.

Does one pass cover both applications?

You do not take the test twice. If you passed for your settlement application, that same pass is accepted for your citizenship application later. So there is no need to sit the test again for citizenship once you have passed it once. For what settlement and citizenship also ask for, see what happens after you pass.

Keep your reference number safe

When you pass, you are given a unique reference number. That number is how the Home Office confirms you have passed, and you enter it on your application form. Because your pass has to last for future applications, keep the reference number somewhere safe and keep a copy of it.

What if you passed before December 2019?

The format of the proof has changed over time. People who passed before 17 December 2019 were given a letter rather than a reference number. Whatever form your proof takes, keep it safe, as it does not stop being valid. If you have lost your proof, you can usually recover it through the test provider or your online account.