This tool compares your English test scores against the published minimum requirements of 15 immigration pathways across six countries. You select your test type, enter your scores, choose a destination, and the checker shows you exactly which pathways you meet and which you do not.

The checking logic depends on the type of requirement:

For per-section requirements (most common), each of your four skill scores must independently meet the stated minimum:

Pass = (Reading >= Min) AND (Listening >= Min) AND (Speaking >= Min) AND (Writing >= Min)

For overall requirements (used by some pathways), your aggregate score must meet the minimum. For IELTS, the overall band is calculated using standard rounding:

IELTS Overall = Round((R + L + S + W) / 4 x 2) / 2

This means an average of 6.25 rounds up to 6.5, while an average of 6.24 stays at 6.0. For TOEFL, the total is simply the sum of four section scores. For single-score tests like Duolingo and Cambridge, the score is compared directly.

Choosing the right test depends on which country you are targeting and which test you are most confident in. Here is a practical breakdown.

For skilled migration (Subclass 189, 190, 491), your options are IELTS, PTE Academic, and Cambridge CAE. TOEFL and Duolingo are not accepted for points-based migration. PTE is popular among Australian immigration applicants because it allows retaking individual sections and uses a more predictable scoring algorithm.

The UK accepts IELTS (UKVI), PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT (reinstated in 2024), and Cambridge exams for visa applications. Duolingo is not accepted. If you are applying for a student visa, check whether your university requires a specific test in addition to the visa minimum.

Express Entry accepts IELTS (General Training or Academic), PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Duolingo (since 2023). Cambridge CAE is not in the IRCC CLB conversion table and is not accepted for Express Entry. Duolingo is the newest addition and may have limited acceptance for some provincial programs.

New Zealand immigration primarily accepts IELTS and PTE Academic for the Skilled Migrant Category. Cambridge CAE is also accepted. TOEFL and Duolingo have limited or no acceptance for immigration purposes.

The US does not have a federal English test requirement for immigration visas like H-1B, L-1, or green cards. English requirements are set by individual universities for F-1 student visas and by employers for work visas. TOEFL is the most commonly required test by US universities.

Irish employment permits require an English proficiency certificate, typically IELTS. PTE, TOEFL, and Cambridge are generally accepted as equivalents. Duolingo is not standard for Irish visa purposes. The Critical Skills Employment Permit requires a higher level than the General Employment Permit.

Many immigration systems use English proficiency tiers that correspond to extra points or eligibility levels:

Australia English Points: Competent (IELTS 6.0 each, 0 points), Proficient (IELTS 7.0 each, 10 points), Superior (IELTS 8.0 each, 20 points). Reaching higher tiers directly increases your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.

Canada CLB Levels: CLB 7 is the minimum for FSW, but scoring CLB 9 or 10 in each skill maximizes your language points in the Express Entry comprehensive ranking system. The difference between CLB 7 and CLB 9 can be worth dozens of CRS points.

UK CEFR Levels: Most work visas require B1 (IELTS 4.0 each). Student visas at degree level require B2 (IELTS 6.0 each). The level required depends on the visa category, not your preference.

What if my test is not listed for a specific visa? Some test types are simply not accepted by certain immigration authorities. For example, Duolingo is not accepted for UK or Australian visas. This is not a reflection of the test quality; it is a policy decision by the immigration authority. If your target visa does not accept your test, you will need to take a different one.

What if I meet the overall requirement but fail one section? For most immigration pathways, this means you do not meet the requirement. Per-section minimums exist because immigration authorities want assurance that you can communicate in all language skills, not just that you average out to an acceptable level. There are very few exceptions to this rule.

Can a higher score in one skill compensate for a lower score in another? For immigration purposes, generally no. If the requirement is 6.0 in each skill, scoring 8.0 in Reading does not compensate for a 5.5 in Writing. Each skill is evaluated independently against its own minimum.

Do professional registration bodies have different requirements? Yes. Nurses, doctors, engineers, and other regulated professions often have separate English requirements through their registration boards (like NMC, GMC, AHPRA). These requirements may differ from the immigration minimum. You must meet both the immigration requirement and the professional registration requirement.

What if I took IELTS Academic but immigration requires General Training? For most pathways covered here, both versions are accepted equally and the score requirements are the same. However, always verify for your specific pathway. A few professional registrations may specify one version.