How This Checker Works

Each country sets its own minimum English test scores for each visa category. This tool maps your score against the official published requirements from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the Australian Department of Home Affairs, Immigration New Zealand, and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Immigration English requirements are almost always expressed as a minimum score per skill (listening, reading, writing, speaking) rather than just an overall average. This tool uses the overall equivalent for simplicity, but flags where sub-scores matter. Always verify sub-score requirements with the official government source before submitting your visa application.

English Requirements by Country and Visa Type

United Kingdom

The UK uses SELT (Secure English Language Test) for most immigration purposes. The approved tests are IELTS UKVI, TOEFL iBT (for student routes only), Trinity SELT, and LanguageCert SELT. Standard IELTS Academic or General Training is NOT accepted for UK visa applications; you must take the UKVI version at an approved test centre.

For the Skilled Worker visa (formerly Tier 2), the minimum is CEFR B1 (IELTS 4.0 in each skill). For the Student visa, you need a minimum B2 level (IELTS 5.5 overall for most courses). For Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), the requirement is CEFR B1 or above. For naturalisation as a British citizen, you also need B1 or above, plus pass the Life in the UK test.

Canada

Canada uses the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) scale for immigration. Test scores are converted to CLB levels. For Federal Skilled Worker (Express Entry), the minimum is CLB 7 in all four skills, which equals IELTS 6.0 in each skill. However, CLB 9 (IELTS 7.0+) earns significantly more CRS points and improves your Invitation to Apply odds.

Accepted tests include IELTS General Training, CELPIP General, and TEF Canada (for French). PTE is not currently accepted for Canadian immigration. TOEFL is also not accepted for permanent residency pathways, though some study permit applications may use it.

Australia

Australia has a tiered English proficiency system for migration: Functional English, Vocational English, Competent English, Proficient English, and Superior English. Most skilled migration visas require Competent English, which means IELTS 6.0 in all four skills (not just an average). Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 in each skill) and Superior English (IELTS 8.0 in each) earn additional points in the skills assessment.

Accepted tests include IELTS Academic or General Training, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency, and OET. Duolingo is not accepted for Australian migration purposes. The test must have been taken within three years of your visa application.

New Zealand

New Zealand uses IELTS or TOEFL as its primary accepted tests for immigration. For skilled migrant and most work visas, you need IELTS 6.5 overall, or TOEFL iBT 79. PTE Academic is also accepted for most visa categories. The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) requires the same thresholds. Scores must be no older than two years at the time of application.

Ireland

Ireland does not have a single standardised immigration English test requirement in the way the UK or Australia does. For most work permits, applicants are expected to demonstrate sufficient English to perform their role, but a specific test score is not mandatory unless stipulated by the employer or the Department of Enterprise. However, the Critical Skills Employment Permit and General Employment Permit applications may request evidence of English proficiency. For student visas, universities set their own requirements (typically IELTS 6.0 to 6.5).

United States

The USA does not require a formal English language test for most employment-based immigration pathways (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3). English ability is assessed indirectly through the Labor Certification and interview process. For naturalization as a US citizen, you must demonstrate the ability to speak, read, and write basic English, but no specific test score is required. Some visa categories for specific professions (such as healthcare workers) may require OET or TOEFL as part of professional licensing, not the immigration process itself.

Table of Truth: Immigration English Score Requirements

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using the wrong IELTS version for the UK. This is the most common and most expensive mistake. Many applicants retake the test because they used standard IELTS instead of IELTS UKVI for a UK work or family visa. Book the UKVI version at an approved centre.

Mistake 2: Meeting the overall average but failing a sub-skill. Australia, Canada, and New Zealand all require minimum scores in EACH of the four skills (listening, reading, writing, speaking), not just an average. You can score 7.0 overall in IELTS and still fail if your writing is 5.5.

Mistake 3: Assuming Duolingo works for immigration. Duolingo is accepted by hundreds of universities but is not accepted by immigration authorities in any of the six countries covered here. Do not waste time and money on a Duolingo test if your goal is a visa application.

Mistake 4: Using an expired score. Australia accepts scores up to three years old for immigration. All other countries typically require scores no older than two years. An expired score will result in an invalid application. Check your score date before submitting.

Mistake 5: Confusing immigration requirements with university requirements. Universities often have different and sometimes lower English requirements than immigration authorities. Always check BOTH: your university’s requirement for admission AND the immigration authority’s requirement for your visa. The higher of the two determines what score you actually need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which English test is accepted for the most immigration visas?

IELTS (both Academic and General Training) is accepted by the widest range of immigration authorities globally. It is the only test accepted for UK work and family visas (as IELTS UKVI), it is accepted for Australian and New Zealand migration, and the General Training version is widely used for Canadian skilled migration pathways. If you are unsure which test to take and you plan to use the score for immigration purposes, IELTS is the safest choice.

Is PTE Academic accepted for Canadian immigration?

No. As of 2024 to 2025, PTE Academic is not an approved test for Canadian permanent residence or Express Entry applications. IRCC only accepts IELTS General Training and CELPIP General for English-language immigration assessment. For French, TEF Canada and TCF Canada are accepted.

Do I need an English test if I am from a native English-speaking country?

It depends on the country. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK typically exempt applicants who are citizens of countries where English is the primary language: UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. Some countries also exempt South Africa, Singapore, and other nations where English is an official language. Exemptions vary by visa type and are confirmed by each immigration authority.

My English score meets the minimum but is still low. Does that hurt my application?

For pass-or-fail visa systems (UK, Ireland), meeting the minimum is enough. For points-based systems like Australia and Canada’s Express Entry, a higher English score directly earns you more points, which increases your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply. In Australia’s General Skilled Migration, the difference between Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each) and Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 each) is 10 additional points, which can be decisive.

Can I use my old degree to exempt from the English test for immigration?

Sometimes. Australia’s skilled migration program grants Competent English exemption to applicants who completed a bachelor’s degree or higher entirely in English in a recognised English-speaking country. The UK, Canada, and New Zealand have similar exemptions, but the rules differ in detail. Check the official government immigration website for the specific exemption criteria before assuming you qualify.

Requirements shown reflect published government guidelines as of 2024 to 2025. Immigration rules change frequently. Always verify current requirements on the official government immigration website of your destination country before applying. SabiCalculator is not a registered immigration adviser and this tool does not constitute legal advice.