British Council: UK visa section disapproves IELTS certificate in Iran

The British Council, the UK organization specialized in international educational and cultural operations said that the visa and immigration department of Britain interior ministry approves IELTS tests for Britain's visa under close supervision of Britain's consulate worldwide.

According to British Council, IELTS applicants can seat in the exams in the centers got approval of Britain visa and immigration department.

Since Britain's consulate office or its embassy are not operating in Iran, the current IELTS test centers in Iran are not listed among safe test centers, said the British council.

Nearest IELTS test centers for Iranian nationals are in the Untied Arab Emirates (UAE) and Turkey, said the British council.

Those who got their IELTS before April, 5, 2015 in Iran, their certificate will be creditworthy till November, 5, 2015 but their certificates should be double-checked by immigration and visa section.

IELTS certificates in Iran are recognized internationally except for those seeking immigration to Britain, said British council.

The students and applicants for college studies in the United Kingdom expressed shock about the statement excluding the Englsh language learning centers to British Council.

They said that British Council is pursuing double standard about learning English language and that such a double standard is out of place.

'You cannot say you are communicating in English, but, it does matter whether or not you are taught by the British Council or the Australian ... The goal is acquistion of four skills for learning the English language,' an applicant to study in UK told IRNA cultural service.

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