What to Bring to the Life in the UK Test

Checklist: bring the same original photo ID you used to book. If you booked with an eVisa share code, you do not need other ID, but bring an ID document or bank card that shows your signature. Copies, printouts and screenshots are refused. GOV.UK sets out the rules on what happens at the test.

Accepted ID

You must bring the ID you registered with, in its original form. GOV.UK accepts:

• a valid passport
• a valid ID card from the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway
• a valid travel document with a photo (not an emergency travel document)
• a biometric residence permit (BRP) or biometric residence card (BRC), as long as your test is no later than 24 months after the expiry date printed on the card, or before 31 December 2026, whichever comes first

The photo must look like you, and the details must match your booking exactly, including your name and nationality. The BRP rule is temporary, so check the current list on GOV.UK before your test.

If you booked with an eVisa

GOV.UK says eVisa holders should book with a share code, and the official FAQ says it must begin with S. If you registered this way, you do not need to bring any other ID.

Staff still check your signature. The official FAQ says eVisa users can show an alternative ID or a bank card with their signature clearly displayed. It also says you may be able to generate a new share code at the centre if needed, but this may not always work, so check your details before you travel.

Changed your name?

The official FAQ says you must bring acceptable ID in your new name. A marriage certificate or UK spouse visa cannot be used to prove your identity at the centre. Your first name and date of birth cannot be changed after you register, so if those are wrong, contact the Life in the UK Test Helpline on 0800 015 4245 well before your test.

What stays in the locker

You cannot take these into the test room:

• mobile phones and other electronic or smart devices, including smart glasses
• watches
• the handbook, notes or any other written material

Lockers are available, and you are searched before you enter the test room. You can make notes during the test, but you must hand them to the supervisor before you leave. GOV.UK also says you cannot bring children or other family members to the centre, and the official service says there is no waiting room or childcare for people who are not taking the test.

Special requests

If you asked for special arrangements when you booked, bring the evidence that supports your request, such as a letter from your doctor. The official service says that without sufficient evidence you will not be able to take the test, and you will not get a refund.

What happens if your ID is wrong

If you bring the wrong document, or the details do not match your booking, you will not be allowed to take the test. GOV.UK says you will not get a refund, and the same applies if you refuse to have your photo taken. You would need to book and pay £50 again.

The night before

• Put the exact ID you booked with by the door, or check your eVisa details and signature card.
• Compare the name on the ID with the name in your booking confirmation.
• Check the arrival time in your confirmation email. The official terms set a minimum of 30 minutes before your appointment unless you are told otherwise.
• Plan to be at the centre for up to 2 hours in total.

For what happens once you are inside, read our test day walkthrough.

Key Facts

• Bring the same original photo ID you used to book
• Booked with an eVisa share code? No other ID needed, but bring something showing your signature
• No photocopies, printouts, screenshots or photos of ID
• A BRP or BRC counts only within GOV.UK’s temporary expiry limit
• Phones, watches, notes and smart glasses go in a locker
• Wrong ID or refusing the photo means no test and no refund