IELTS score requirements for different countries

Figuring out what to study, where to do it, or how to land a good job at different career stages can be a lot. 

When you’re searching for opportunities abroad, taking the IELTS test to meet English proficiency requirements doesn’t have to be confusing. It’s a clear path to prepare and succeed. Different countries may ask for varying IELTS scores based on visa type, institution, or level. 

In this article, you will get a clearer picture of how to plan your overseas study, work or migration journey with IELTS in 2026 and beyond. 

Since 1989, IELTS has helped uncover potential and changed the lives of millions. Thousands of organisations around the world trust the test to place the best students and the right employees. 

Immigration authorities, universities, professional bodies and companies use IELTS as a reliable benchmark for English language assessment of international candidate applications.  

How do organisations set their IELTS score requirements? 

Different organisations set IELTS score requirements based on what kind of English skills you’ll need to succeed. Here's what they consider:  

• Know the official IELTS testing standards, which reflects every test taker’s true level of English 

• Tie the skill and language demands of different jobs or courses of study to the ‘IELTS scale’ of band scores 

• Evaluate the four test sections individually — Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking 

What is IELTS used for? 

To identify students who can succeed, universities and colleges request IELTS Academic scores, to see how they handle academic English in the form of lectures, essays and engaging in discussions. 

Employers focus on practical competencies, like communicating clearly and effectively to move tasks and projects along. Taking the IELTS General Training test can prove how you’re using English in everyday and professional settings. IELTS scores help companies feel confident about the quality of global hires. 

For visas and migration, governments use IELTS to check the English language requirements for visas, helping them assess how well applicants can integrate into society long-term. In points-based systems like Australia, higher IELTS scores can result in more points towards successful entry and Permanent Residency (PR) approval. 

Below is a table of 2025-2026 minimum IELTS score requirements for key destinations. Once you have an idea of IELTS score you need for your goals, you can focus on your test preparation and strategy. 

Take the IELTS Academic test for study approvals, and the IELTS General Training for work or migration. 

If you want to study or work in the UK, you will need to take only IELTS for UKVI, which is an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) set by the UK Home Office. For UKVI-specific tests which employ more security measures, you will have to take the test in-person at a designated IELTS for UKVI test centre. 

IELTS score requirements vary across institutions, organisations, and immigration bodies. Always check directly with the institution, organisation or immigration body via their official websites. 

If you’re exploring study locations in other parts of the world, check out the range of IELTS scores you might need for their academic institutions:  

Here’s how your test is scored. The IELTS band score scale ranges from 0 (lowest) to 9 (highest), rounded to the nearest half (0.5) band. 

Each of the four test sections in IELTS (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) is scored separately, to give you an individual band score. Some institutions may request specific band scores per section to match the language skills requirements of their study program. 

Your overall IELTS band score is the average of the four test sections, with each band score on the 9-band scale showing an increase in English skill from beginner level. For example: 

• 5.0 overall score: Modest ability, managing to make out the overall meaning in most situations, but may make many mistakes. 

• 6.0 overall score: Competent skill level, can handle fairly complex language in familiar situations despite some mistakes. 

• 7.0 overall score: Good skill level, usually can handle complex language and ideas with occasional mistakes. 

• 8.0 overall score and above: Very good level, with near-native command of English and rarely makes mistakes. 

IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking tests are marked against clearly defined scoring criteria to ensure fairness, quality control and reliable results. Selected Writing and Speaking tests may also be marked twice in some instances to ensure consistency and accuracy of results. 

What does IELTS have to do with CEFR? 

You may have heard of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), a 6-level global scale from A1 (basic) to C2 (proficient), applicable to various learning stages for any language. 

IELTS 9-band scale may be mapped to the CEFR to meet the immigration requirements of some countries, like the UK. For instance, IELTS 5.5 to 6.5 is B2 (an independent user), while 7.0 to 8.0 is C1 (a proficient user). 

You could also use the CEFR to track your own progress in learning English, especially if your language school uses it to place students in different class levels. 

There is a wide variety of (free!) preparation resources to help you achieve your desired IELTS score across the four test sections. 

Start preparing right away 

Get a headstart with IDP IELTS online preparation materials. 

• Sign up for an in-person IDP IELTS Masterclass to know what to expect in the full test within 90 minutes.  

• Check your IELTS Reading and Listening skills with the English self-assessment tool. 

• Dive deep into IELTS Prep Hub by IDP to pick up expert tips. 

• Find out which skills you should focus on with free IELTS practice tests. 

• Get answers from our IELTS Community experts on commonly asked questions. 

• Prepare on-the-go with the IELTS by IDP app. 

• Prefer to watch and learn? Every aspect of the test is covered on the IELTS Prepare by IDP Vodcast series . 

Create a study plan you can stick to 

Know how much time you have to fully prepare until it’s test day, and how long you can dedicate each day for a practice session. It’s also useful to know which IELTS test sections you need to focus on when you study. If you need support to schedule sufficient practice time, here’s a study plan you can use to prepare for IELTS in six weeks. 

Fun ways to stay motivated 

Finding ways to be immersed naturally in the English language is easy, even if you are feeling over- or under-prepared for IELTS.  Think about habits you can fit into your everyday life and keep up with consistently. You could pick a podcast episode on an interesting subject to listen each day, for example, health and fitness or true crime. Observe how the podcasters build their points of view or even the way they speak. Or explore more fun activities to build skills that are crucial for the IELTS test. 

Think of IELTS as a way to prepare for real life abroad, giving you a chance to build a second home, wherever in the world that may be. 

Accepted by over 12,500 institutions in the world, IELTS is used by world-class universities like the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford to admit a diverse student body, as well as thousands of employers in a wide range of industries. 

Importantly, IELTS is the only English language test recognised and required for proof of English when migrating to the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. 

IELTS helps you show up with confidence and skills to your stage of life —book IELTS now for the 2026 application season!