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IELTS Visa Score Requirements

See the IELTS scores the main visa routes ask for. Each row names its government source and the date we last read it. Add your four scores to see how each route compares.

Add your scores to see how each route compares. This is optional.

United Kingdom

United Kingdom routes and their published minimum scores
RoutePublished minimumSource
Skilled WorkerLists: IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training
  • New application, or switching from a visa other than Health and Care Worker5.5 in each skillCEFR B2
  • Extending or updating a visa you held before 8 January 20264.0 in each skillCEFR B1
Health and Care WorkerLists: IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training
  • New application, or switching from a visa other than Skilled Worker5.5 in each skillCEFR B2
  • Extending or updating a visa you held before 8 January 20264.0 in each skillCEFR B1
Scale-up WorkerLists: IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training
  • New application, or switching from another visa5.5 in each skillCEFR B2
  • Extending a Scale-up Worker visa you held before 8 January 20264.0 in each skillCEFR B1
High Potential IndividualLists: IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training5.5 in each skillCEFR B2
Innovator FounderLists: IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training5.5 in each skillCEFR B2
StudentLists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, IELTS for UKVI Academic, IELTS for UKVI General Training
  • Degree level or above5.5 in each skillCEFR B2
  • Below degree level4.0 in each skillCEFR B1
At degree level a university can assess your English itself. The result must still be equivalent to B2. Check with your university.
Family (partner, parent or child)The route asks for CEFR A1 in speaking and listening, taken as IELTS for UKVI Life Skills. Life Skills is pass or fail and has no band score.
Settlement (indefinite leave to remain)GOV.UK lists B1, B2, C1 and C2 qualifications and names no single level on this page. IELTS lists the pass or fail Life Skills B1 test for settlement. Life Skills has no band score.
Global Talent settlementThe rule is speaking and listening only: CEFR B1 before 26 March 2027 and B2 on or after that date. IELTS lists the pass or fail Life Skills B1 test. It has not said which IELTS test meets the B2 rule.

Canada

Canada routes and their published minimum scores
RoutePublished minimumSource
Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry)Lists: IELTS General Training6.0 in each skillCLB 7 in each abilityThis route also awards points for higher scores. Meeting the minimum may not be enough to be selected.
Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry)Lists: IELTS General Training
  • TEER 0 or TEER 1 occupation6.0 in each skillCLB 7 in each ability
  • TEER 2 or TEER 3 occupationListening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0CLB 5 in each ability
This route also awards points for higher scores. Meeting the minimum may not be enough to be selected.
Federal Skilled Trades (Express Entry)Lists: IELTS General TrainingListening 5.0, Reading 3.5, Writing 4.0, Speaking 5.0Listening CLB 5, Reading CLB 4, Writing CLB 4, Speaking CLB 5This route also awards points for higher scores. Meeting the minimum may not be enough to be selected.
Atlantic Immigration ProgramLists: IELTS General Training
  • Job offer in TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0CLB 5 in each ability
  • Job offer in TEER 4Listening 4.5, Reading 3.5, Writing 4.0, Speaking 4.0CLB 4 in each ability
Rural Community Immigration PilotLists: IELTS General Training
  • Job offer in TEER 0 or 1Listening 5.5, Reading 5.0, Writing 5.5, Speaking 5.5CLB 6 in each ability
  • Job offer in TEER 2 or 3Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0CLB 5 in each ability
  • Job offer in TEER 4 or 5Listening 4.5, Reading 3.5, Writing 4.0, Speaking 4.0CLB 4 in each ability
Start-up VisaPaused. IRCC paused the program on 30 June 2026 and is not accepting new applications.Lists: IELTS General TrainingListening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0CLB 5 in each ability
Post-Graduation Work PermitLists: IELTS General Training
  • University programme6.0 in each skillCLB 7 in each ability
  • College, polytechnic or other non-university programmeListening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0CLB 5 in each ability
The page says you do not need to meet the language requirement if you submitted your permit application before 1 November 2024.
Canadian citizenship (language proof)Lists: IELTS General TrainingListening 4.5, Speaking 4.0The page also accepts other language proof. These scores are for IELTS taken on or after 28 November 2008.

Australia

Australia routes and their published minimum scores
RoutePublished minimumSource
Skilled Independent (subclass 189)Lists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training6.0 in each skillCompetent EnglishThis route also awards points for higher scores. Meeting the minimum may not be enough to be selected.
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)Lists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training6.0 in each skillCompetent EnglishThis route also awards points for higher scores. Meeting the minimum may not be enough to be selected.
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491)Lists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training6.0 in each skillCompetent EnglishThis route also awards points for higher scores. Meeting the minimum may not be enough to be selected.
Employer Nomination Scheme, Direct Entry (subclass 186)Lists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training6.0 in each skillCompetent English
Employer Nomination Scheme, Temporary Residence Transition (subclass 186)Lists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training6.0 in each skillCompetent EnglishThe page says there has been no exemption from the English requirement for this stream since 16 November 2019.
Regional Sponsored Migration, Direct Entry (subclass 187)Closed. Home Affairs says this visa is closed to new applications.Lists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training6.0 in each skillCompetent English
Regional Sponsored Migration, Temporary Residence Transition (subclass 187)Lists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training6.0 in each skillCompetent EnglishOnly for people who hold a transitional 457 or 482 visa. The page allows an exemption from Competent English. Even then you must show functional English or pay a second instalment charge.
Skills in Demand (subclass 482)Lists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training5.0 in each skillThese figures are for the Core Skills and Specialist Skills streams. A labour agreement can set its own English requirement. The test must be taken within 3 years before you apply. Tests taken before 13 September 2025 follow a different rule: overall 5.0 and at least 5 in each component.
Student (subclass 500)Lists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training
  • Principal course aloneOverall 6.0
  • Principal course with at least 10 weeks of ELICOS, or a Foundation or eligible Pathway programOverall 5.5
  • Principal course with at least 20 weeks of ELICOSOverall 5.0
Several exemptions apply. Other approved tests have their own scores on the page.
National Innovation (subclass 858)Lists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General TrainingOverall 4.5Functional EnglishThis is not a hard minimum. Applicants below it can still apply and pay a second instalment charge.
Temporary Graduate (subclass 485), Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work streamsLists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training
  • Most passportsOverall 6.5, 5.5 in each skill
  • British National (Overseas) or Hong Kong passportOverall 6.0, 5.0 in each skill
The test must be taken in the 12 months before you apply. These figures are for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. The Second Post-Higher Education Work stream page states no English score, so check it before you apply.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494), Employer Sponsored streamLists: IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training6.0 in each skillCompetent English

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How to read the table

Each row is one route. The minimum is what the government page for that route says. Some governments state a level instead of an IELTS score. In that case the row shows the IELTS score published for that level and links both pages.

The UK states a level on the Common European Framework (CEFR). IELTS publishes the score that matches each level for its UKVI test. Canada states a level on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). IRCC publishes the IELTS score for each CLB level, and this table uses that chart. You can see the whole chart in the IELTS to CLB Calculator.

Every row shows the date its source was last read. A nightly check re-reads the pages that can be fetched. Rows that can only be read by hand are rechecked by hand. A row that gets too old stops comparing, and then stops showing its figure.

What the score check does not tell you

The check compares your four scores with a published minimum. It cannot tell you whether you qualify. Governments change these figures without notice, so read the linked page before you book a test or lodge an application.

Your overall band is worked out from your four scores with the usual rounding, so the two cannot disagree. Try the band score calculator to see how that works.

Which test each country accepts

Most UK routes ask for a Secure English Language Test. The IELTS version is IELTS for UKVI, which is booked separately from standard IELTS. Read IELTS for UKVI explained for the details.

Express Entry in Canada accepts the General Training option only, and not IELTS One Skill Retake. Australia lists both Academic and General Training. It does not accept a test taken fully online. If you are not sure which paper you need, read IELTS Academic vs General Training.

Where the figures come from

UK figures come from GOV.UK route pages, with IELTS's own UKVI page for the score. Canadian figures come from IRCC pages on canada.ca. Australian figures come from Home Affairs pages. Where a route has no score to compare, the row says so.

Frequently asked questions

Does meeting the minimum mean I qualify?

No. A minimum is one condition among several. Most routes also ask about age, work, money, a job offer, a sponsor or an occupation list. Some give points for higher scores, so the minimum may not be enough to be chosen.

Why does a row say to check the source?

Every row is re-read on a schedule. A row that has not been re-read in time says so and stops comparing. A government can still change a figure between checks, so read the linked page before you act.

Why can I not compare my score for some routes?

A route may use a pass or fail test or state no IELTS score at all. The table says which. Your test may also not be on the government's list for that route.

Do I need IELTS for UKVI?

Most UK routes ask for a Secure English Language Test. The IELTS version is IELTS for UKVI, which you book separately from standard IELTS. Check the route's page before you book.

Which routes are missing?

Provincial nominee programmes, routes that need one university or employer, and routes that name no IELTS score are left out. A few closed or paused routes stay in the table with a tag, so you can see the last published figure. Governments run more routes than this table lists.

Find out where your four bands sit now

A minimum tells you what a route asks for. A practice test tells you how far each section is from it. Sit a timed test, then check your scores here.

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