Life in the UK Test expiry: does a pass run out?

Does an old Life in the UK Test pass have an expiry date?

None is given. The caseworker guidance (version 31.0, December 2025) explains what evidence to accept for tests taken before 1 October 2019, between 1 October and 16 December 2019, and from 17 December 2019, and it doesn’t mention an expiry for any of them.

Your unique reference number

Since 17 December 2019, a pass gives you a unique reference number (URN) instead of a letter. Staff give it to you at the centre, the booking service says it’s emailed within 10 minutes, and it stays in the results tab of your account. Each test has its own URN.

You need it to complete your citizenship or settlement application. GOV.UK says the Home Office uses it to check that you passed, and the caseworker guidance says caseworkers see your result and photo on a verification portal.

Lost your Life in the UK Test certificate?

For a test since 17 December 2019 there’s no paper certificate to lose: the caseworker guidance says PSI stopped issuing pass letters then, so look for the URN in your account or email.

For older tests, GOV.UK says you got a letter with a test reference ID, and if you’ve lost your letter, to send a letter explaining that with your application. If you took the test after 1 October and before 17 December 2019, the caseworker guidance says to send your 7-digit test reference ID. For a test before 1 October 2019, it asks for the pass notification letter.

Passed? What next

Use your URN in your settlement or citizenship application. Check the other requirements for your route too, such as the English requirement for citizenship.