- GOV.UK is the only official government service for booking, and the fee is £50.
- The test must be booked online at least 3 days in advance.
- The name on the booking must be an exact match with the name on your ID.
- The test helpline is 0800 015 4245, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
What the genuine booking asks for
Knowing the real process makes false ones easy to spot. GOV.UK says you need an email address, a debit or credit card and one accepted form of ID: a valid passport, a valid EU, Swiss, Icelandic, Liechtenstein or Norwegian ID card, a valid photo travel document (not an emergency one), or an eVisa with a share code from your UKVI account. A biometric residence card is accepted only in the circumstances the page sets out. The name must match the ID exactly. Nothing in that list involves a scan of documents sent to a chat, a fee for a “priority” slot, or a study pack.
| Genuine booking | Look-alike or reseller |
|---|---|
| Starts on gov.uk and states the £50 fee up front | Reached by an advert, forum or WhatsApp group; fee above £50 or a “service charge” at the end |
| Books at least 3 days ahead; no guaranteed pass | Promises a fixed date, a guaranteed pass or a “fast track” |
| Asks for the ID types GOV.UK lists | Asks for a passport scan before you have seen the price |
| Test centres across the UK (over 30) | Names a venue or a date of its own instead of the booking you make on GOV.UK |
Why people end up there
The check is simple because GOV.UK states it is the only official service. Private firms can lawfully sell practice material or help with forms, as long as they do not present themselves as the booking service. Anything that charges for the booking itself, or promises a result, is either a reseller adding a margin to a £50 fee or something worse, and in neither case is it the government service. We do not name the sites we have seen.
A two-minute check before paying
- Open GOV.UK yourself and search for the Life in the UK Test rather than following an ad.
- Confirm that the address ends in gov.uk and the price is £50.
- Check that the name you enter matches your ID letter for letter.
- Stop if the site asks for money for study packs, guarantees or a rush.
- Ring the helpline on 0800 015 4245 or email support@lituk.psionline.com if in doubt.
If you already paid
- Contact your bank or card provider straight away and ask whether the payment can be stopped or disputed.
- Take screenshots of the site, the confirmation and any messages before they disappear.
- Send no more documents. If you sent a passport scan, watch for identity misuse and tell the issuing authority if you see it.
- If you are in England or Wales, GOV.UK names Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or its online form. In Scotland, it points to Police Scotland.
- Book the real test from GOV.UK afterwards. A reseller's confirmation email is not a booking.
The same overcharging pattern appears with certificates: see birth certificate websites that overcharge. The general steps are in what to do after paying a scammer, the real booking journey in booking the test, and who has to take it at all in the settlement and citizenship page.
Frequently asked questions
Is there more than one official place to book the Life in the UK Test?
No. GOV.UK states that it is the only official government service for booking the test. If you reached a booking page from an advert, a forum or a messaging group, start again from GOV.UK.
How much should the test cost?
GOV.UK gives the fee as £50, and the test must be booked online at least 3 days in advance. A higher fee, a late service charge or a guaranteed date is a sign you are not on the official service.
What ID do I need to book?
An accepted form of ID such as a valid passport, a valid photo travel document or an eVisa with a share code, plus an email address and a debit or credit card. The name on the booking must match the ID exactly.
What if I paid an unofficial site?
Contact your bank straight away, keep evidence and send no further documents. In England and Wales GOV.UK names Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, it points to Police Scotland. Then book on GOV.UK.
Who do I ask if I am unsure a page is genuine?
The Life in the UK Test helpline is 0800 015 4245, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm, or support@lituk.psionline.com, according to GOV.UK. Use those details from the GOV.UK page, not from an advert.