Assuming IELTS 6.0 means CLB 7 for all skills. For some pathways, 6.0 is CLB 7. For others, it may be CLB 6. The checker handles this correctly using the exact IRCL CLB lookup.
2.
Not checking per-skill minimums for university admissions. A high IELTS overall does not guarantee each skill meets the minimum. Most universities set minimum requirements for each skill individually.
3.
Using expired test scores. Most authorities require results within two years. An old score cannot be used for visa or admission applications.
4.
Not checking the correct test version. IELTS Academic and General Training are different tests with different score scales. Make sure you are checking the right variant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most UK skilled worker visas require IELTS 4.0 or above in each skill (CEFR B1 level). This applies to Skilled Worker, Health and Care Worker, and most other work visa categories.
UK student visas at degree level require IELTS 5.5-6.5 in each skill. Below degree level, IELTS 4.0 may be accepted. Check with your specific institution for their exact requirement.
PTE 59-65 in each skill approximately equals IELTS 7.0 (CEFR C1). PTE 50-58 is below 7.0 (CLB 6). PTE 66+ in each skill gives you CLB 9.
No. Duolingo is not accepted for UK student visas. For UK student visas, you need IELTS UKVI, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT.
No. Australian student visas require IELTS 5.5-6.5, TOEFL 46-80, or PTE 36-58. PTE is not accepted for Australian student visas.
How the Visa English Requirement Checker Works
This checker compares your English test scores against the minimum requirements for immigration and university admissions across six countries. You select your test type, enter your scores, pick a country and visa type, and instantly see which skills pass and which fail.
The CLB mapping uses official IRCC conversion tables where they exist and approximate conversions where they do not. For conversions via CEFR, the tool converts test scores to the nearest equivalent on the CEFR scale.
CLB Level = Lookup(Score) from official tables
Important:Immigration CLB requirements use per-skill minimums, not overall scores. A score of IELTS 6.0 in one skill can still cause a visa rejection if other skills are weaker.
CLB Level Explained
The Canadian Language Benchmarks are a system used by the Canadian government to measure English ability. Each score maps to a CLB level:
CLB 10: Near-native English. You can communicate flawlessly in professional situations.
CLB 9: Very strong English. Maximum CRS points for Express Entry.
CLB 8: Strong English. Meets most professional requirements.
CLB 7: Acceptable for most immigration pathways.
CLB 6:
CLB 5: Below standard for most pathways.
CLB 4: Below the level needed.
Score by Test Type
IELTS: Reports four skill scores from 0-9. IELTS 7.0 (CLB 7 in each skill) is the standard requirement for most immigration pathways. The Academic version uses academic content while General Training uses everyday contexts. For most immigration, both versions are accepted equally.
TOEFL iBT: Reports four section scores from 0-30. TOEFL 79-100 is typically required for US universities. For immigration, CLB 7 requires TOEFL 21+ in each skill.
PTE Academic: Reports four section scores from 10-90. PTE 59 in each skill equals CLB 7. PTE allows retaking individual sections, unlike IELTS.
Duolingo: Reports an overall score from 10-160 with four subscores. CLB 7 requires 105+ in each subscore. Duolingo is accepted for Canadian Express Entry since 2023.
Cambridge: Reports on the Cambridge English Scale (82-180). FCE (B2 First), CAE (C1 Advanced), CPE (C2 Proficiency), and BEC (B2 Business) all use this scale. A score of 160+ is typically B2 or above for most admissions.
CLB by Test Type
CLB Level
IELTS Ac.
IELTS Gen.
PTE Ac.
CLB 10
29-30
29-30
27-28
CLB 9
26-29
25-27
CLB 8
23-27
23-26
CLB 7
21-22
21-22
CLB 6
18-20
16-18
CLB 5
15-17
13-15
CLB 4
13-14
12-13
Score Requirements by CountryUnited States
US universities set their own English requirements. Top-50 universities typically require IELTS 6.5-7.5 or TOEFL 79-100. Mid-tier universities commonly ask for IELTS 6.0-6.5 or TOEFL 70-80. Community colleges accept IELTS 5.0-6.0. The F-1 visa has no federal English test requirement. Executive programs often require IELTS 7.0+. Duolingo and PTE have limited US university acceptance.
United Kingdom
The UK has the most detailed acceptance criteria for English tests. IELTS UKVI is required for UK student visas at degree level. IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT are also accepted. BULATS (now Linguaskill Business) and Cambridge CAE are accepted for business programs. UK skilled worker visas require IELTS 4.0 or above (CEFR B1) and TOEFL 35 or above.
Note:UK student visas at below-degree level (foundation level) may accept IELTS 4.0, but degree-level courses normally require IELTS 5.5-6.5.
Canada uses the CLB system for Express Entry. FSW requires CLB 7 in all four IELTS skills, which is IELTS 6.0 in each skill. CEC requires CLB 7 (PTE 59 per subscore). Duolingo was added to the IRCC approved list in 2023. Linguaskill and Cambridge CAE are accepted by some Canadian universities for admission, but neither is accepted for immigration purposes.
Critical:Linguaskill and Cambridge CAE are NOT accepted for Canadian Express Entry or study permits. Use IELTS, PTE Academic, or CAEL for Canadian immigration.
Australia
Australia requires IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or Cambridge CAE for student visas (Subclass 500). These are the only four tests on the approved list. BULATS and Linguaskill Business are not accepted for Australian student visas. For skilled migration (Subclass 189, 190, 491), the minimum is IELTS 6.0 in each skill. PTE 50+ in each skill meets the minimum.
New Zealand
Skilled Migrant Category requires IELTS 6.5 in each skill. Some universities accept CAE or BEC for direct admission. Linguaskill has very limited recognition in New Zealand.
Ireland
Ireland accepts IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, and Duolingo for university admissions and employment permits. Most universities require IELTS 6.0-6.5. Some professional bodies accept CAE. IELTS is the standard for employment permit applications.
Tip:Check the official requirements directly with each authority. Requirements change, and some institutions accept tests that others do not.
Important:None of these tests are accepted for Australian skilled migration points-test points visas (189, 190, 491). For those, only IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, and CAE are accepted.
Patrick Smith
Patrick has spent the better part of a decade helping students make sense of grading systems, credit hours, and degree requirements across four continents. He writes about GPA calculations, university admissions, and academic planning with one goal in mind, making the numbers less scary. When he is not breaking down weighted averages or degree classifications, he is probably overanalysing his own spreadsheets.
