How to book the Life in the UK test

Booking at a glance

• Fee£50, paid by debit or credit card when you book

• Book online only, through the service linked from GOV.UK
• Book at least 3 days before your test (earlier tests cost extra)
• Free to move, or cancel with a refund, up to 3 days before your test
• Each person books separately

The only official way to book

Start on the GOV.UK page for the Life in the UK test. GOV.UK calls it the only official government service for booking the test. The 'Start now' button takes you to the booking site run by PSI, the test provider for the Home Office. You create an account there, then book your test from it.

Book only through GOV.UK

GOV.UK says its page is the only official government service for booking the test. Use only the booking service linked from it. The standard test costs £50. The official booking site also sells optional extras, such as a test at short notice or on a Sunday. They are charged on top of the standard fee, and you never have to buy them.

What you need to book

When you register, PSI asks you to verify your ID online with an app called Entrust (or on a computer if the app does not work). If you cannot verify it, contact the helpline.

• An email address
• A debit or credit card
• Your address and postcode
• An accepted form of ID
• Details of any special arrangements you need, for example because of a disability
• If you are under 18 but will apply after your 18th birthday, PSI needs a parent's consent before you can take the test: contact the helpline first

Which ID you can use

If you have an eVisa, book with a share code. Sign in to your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and get a share code for proving your immigration status 'for anything else'. The code must start with S. With a code that starts with R or W, you cannot take the test and you do not get a refund.

• If you do not have an eVisa, or cannot access it, use a valid passport, a valid identity card from the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway, or a valid travel document with a photo (not an emergency travel document)
• If you cannot access your eVisa, you can use an expired biometric residence permit or card (BRP or BRC), but only if your test is no later than 24 months after the expiry date on the card and before 31 December 2026. Bring the original card
• The photo must look like you
• If you have none of these documents, contact UK Visas and Immigration for help before you book

Your name must match your ID exactly

The details in your booking account must match your ID or your eVisa exactly. This includes your name, your nationality and the type of ID you registered with. If they do not match on the day, you cannot take the test and you lose the fee. You cannot change your first name or date of birth after you register. To correct them, you would have to create a new account, so check them carefully. If you only have one legal name, enter it in both the first name and the last name fields.

Changing or cancelling your test

• You can move your test to another date or time for free up to 3 days (72 hours) before it
• You get a refund of the £50 fee if you cancel at least 3 days before your test. It goes back to the card you paid with
• Within 3 days of your test, you cannot move it or get a refund: you would have to cancel and pay for a new test
• To cancel, sign in to your Life in the UK account, select 'Confirmed tests', then 'Cancel tests'
• If the test centre cancels your test, you can ask PSI for a refund within 3 months of the test date
• There is no refund if you bring the wrong ID or documents, are ill or late, or refuse to have your photo taken

What to bring on the day

• The same original ID you used to book. Copies, printouts and screenshots are not accepted
• If you booked with an eVisa share code, you do not need other ID to prove who you are. Staff also check your signature. PSI says you can show another ID or a bank card with your signature on it, so bring one
• If you asked for special arrangements, bring the evidence for them, for example a letter from your doctor
• Do not bring children or other family members: they cannot come into the centre

What happens on the day

• PSI emails you the time to arrive. Its terms ask you to arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment unless it tells you otherwise. If you are late, you may not be able to take the test and you do not get a refund
• Staff check your ID and take your photo. Without the photo, you cannot take the test
• There is a security check before you go into the test room
• Phones, watches, other electronic devices, notes and the handbook are not allowed in the test room. You store them in a locker
• You have 45 minutes to answer 24 questions on a computer
• Plan to be at the centre for up to 2 hours in total

Who can help

For booking problems, contact the Life in the UK Test Helpline run by PSI. GOV.UK lists its email address and phone number. FreeExamPath is independent and not affiliated with the Home Office, PSI or TSO, and we cannot book or change tests for you.

Official links

• Book the Life in the UK Test (GOV.UK)
• Identification requirements for the test (GOV.UK)
• What happens at the test (GOV.UK)
• Cancellations, refunds and complaints (GOV.UK)

Frequently asked questions