IELTS Accepting Countries

Moving to another country can be challenging when the migrant has to be fluent in English.

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a globally recognized exam for individuals looking for migration, work, or study abroad opportunities. The exam helps authorities assess the individual’s ability to read, write, speak, and comprehend English. As per the British Council, over 12,500 organizations across more than 140 nations accept IELTS scores, including universities, government departments, employers, and immigration authorities. In the year 2023, over 4 million people take the IELTS exam, making it an important step for individuals seeking international opportunities. The test is simple and needs two to three months of dedicated preparation. There are a lot of myths around the test, but sincere aspirants clear the test on their first or second attempt. This blog will help you understand the required IELTS score, visa processes, and country-specific requirements that can impact your migration success.

Why IELTS is Important for Migration?

Companies and immigration authorities use IELTS scores for migration to English-speaking countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, etc. Since most of the migration is work-related, it becomes imperative for an individual to prove their proficiency in the English language. Working in a particular country means interacting with different people from different walks of life. It becomes difficult for an individual if the person is not well-spoken in the language spoken in the country. IELTS scores are valid for two years, so it's always in the best interest of people to take the test at the earliest so that they can produce the result the moment they get their visa approved to an English-speaking country. A higher score can improve your chances of securing PR or a skilled worker visa.

IELTS General vs. IELTS Academic for Migration:

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  IELTS General Training: The IELTS General is required for migration, PR applications, and work visas. The test aims to assess the communication skills of an individual that are required for social and workplace interactions in IELTS accepted countries.

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  IELTS Academic: The IELTS Academic is required for admission to a university. 

IELTS issues score bands and most of the country usually needs a certain minimum score band for clearing immigration and getting entry into the country. For instance, immigration to Canada needs a minimum score band of 6.0. While for other countries, it may be different which we will be discussing in the latter part of the article.

Countries Accepting IELTS for Immigration

Several countries have criteria for immigration, and for English-speaking countries, the need to be a fluent English speaker is a necessary requirement. All the countries accepting IELTS scores for checking the proficiency of an individual have different score band requirements. One must prove their ability to read, write, speak, and understand the language to work with ease in a predominantly English-speaking country.

The score band requirements also vary on the type of work an individual wants to do and the type of visa they want for immigrating to IELTS eligible countries. Now we will be discussing the details of each country that accepts IELTS scores for immigration.

Australia and IELTS for Immigration

Australia is one of the top destinations for working as its cities have world-class infrastructure and a decent standard of living for the residents. Every year thousands of Indians apply for Australian visas and migrate for work.

For an Australian visa, you must secure a minimum score band of 6.0. Moreover, you will be required to score more than this band if your organization has minimum score criteria for working. Different organizations set different standards, and it depends on the organization where the individual wishes to work. You must appear for the IELTS General Training test for migration. However, these rules are dynamic, and you should keep track of the recent developments on the Department of Home Affairs website. 

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs accepts the IELTS scores for permanent residence too. The Permanent Residence (PR) is given based on IELTS scores, hence, you must take care of the score band before taking the test as it will have future consequences if you are planning to apply for PR.

It’s always advisable to confirm the exact requirement for IELTS with the concerned employer to gain some clarity on the score requirement. Another noteworthy aspect is that certain employers might ask for IELTS academic scores, so you must check these details carefully before applying for the IELTS.

Australia's immigration system is point-based, with English language proficiency influencing the total points:

A minimum of 65 points is required to apply for PR, with higher English proficiency contributing more points.

Canada and IELTS for Immigration

For a Canadian visa, you must prove your proficiency in the English language to the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Professionals across the globe take the test to explore job opportunities in Canada. Canada is one of the best countries to work and live in, but one needs to be able to speak, read, write, and understand the English language. Since English is one of the predominant languages in Canada apart from French, it becomes important for a person to know the language.

Canadian immigration usually requires a minimum score band of 6.0. You must ensure that you are in a higher score band to be fully assured of getting clearance from the IRCC. Almost all Canadian organizations accept IELTS scores for immigration, but the criteria may differ slightly depending on the type of job and visa type for which you have applied.

Express Entry: It is a system that accepts and manages applications from highly skilled workers seeking permanent residence in Canada. Express Entry is also the fastest way to get clearance for permanent residence. Canadian authorities offer three migration programs for immigration, and an applicant can choose one of them depending on the need and eligibility:

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  Federal Skilled Trades Program 
• 
  Canadian Experience Class
• 
  Federal Skilled Program

Canada also has the Canadian Language Benchmark that helps the authorities in assessing the proficiency of immigrants. It enables the authorities to decide if an individual has the required understanding of the English language for working or permanently residing in Canada. Here is a comparison table for calculating the IELTS score against the CLB. 

New Zealand and IELTS for Immigration

New Zealand is one of the IELTS accepted countries whose immigration needs a minimum overall score of 6.5 for skilled workers to migrate. If an applicant wishes to move with the family, they also need to have an understanding of the English language and must pass the IELTS or any other test required by the New Zealand government. For the applicant, the minimum score is 6.5, while the score band is 5.0 or more for dependents. The requirement of an IELTS score is not restricted to work and study but also for businesses and PR in New Zealand. The IELTS score has way more utility than what it appears to be at any point in time.

There are different categories for migration to New Zealand, and they are listed as follows: 

Skilled Category Migrants:

For skilled migrants, an overall score band of 6.5 or more is needed, while for the dependent, it is 5.0 or more. The skilled category migrants are supposed to interact with people in general, and their communication skills also reflect on the organization where they work. So for this category, most organizations keep the score bands high so that they don’t have to compromise on the qualitative aspect of a potential employee. The business and other category migrants have relatively lesser score band requirements.

Business Category Migrants:

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  Workers of a business that is relocating: In IELTS general or in IELTS academic, a score band of 5.0 or more is required for immigration for workers of a business. The criteria might change, so one must refer to New Zealand’s immigration website for the latest score band requirements.

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  Investors willing to invest in businesses in New Zealand:  One of the lowest score bands are required for investors, and they are allowed for immigration even with a score band of 3.0 or more.

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  Entrepreneurs immigration: They need a minimum score band of 4.0 or more if they wish to migrate to New Zealand. 

Parents Category Migrants:

For the parents’ category, the New Zealand government provides leniency and they have to have a minimum score band of 4.0 or more with at least two competencies.

The United Kingdom and IELTS for Immigration

You must take the IELTS for UKVI (UK Visa and Immigration) test to apply for any visas in the UK. Irrespective of the reason for seeking a visa, you must appear for the IELTS. However, IELTS itself doesn’t guarantee a visa. UKVI accepts all the IELTS tests. You can take the General Training or the Academic test. The minimum score band is 4.0 or more but the organization where you wish to work may put higher criteria of IELTS requirement depending on the nature of work.

For instance, for doctors, the minimum score band is 7.0 in speaking while for other sections a minimum of 6.0 is required. For nurses, the score band is 7.0 in all the sections. Since the level of interaction for medical professionals is way more than other jobs and also keeping in mind the critical nature of work, the score band is kept high. The minimum score band keeps on changing and there is no fixed rule regarding it. So, one must see the government website of the concerned country for the recent set of rules on immigration.

Also, after Brexit, the UK authorities are negotiating immigration issues with all the countries so the rules keep on changing due to ongoing negotiations.

Different IELTS tests are required for studying or moving to the UK. Academic is for university, General for migration, and Life Skills for family and residency visas. The table will help you understand these test types. 

Latest Changes in IELTS Requirements for Migration

As per the latest updates, Australia implemented major changes to its English language requirements for various visa categories in the year 2025.

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  Student Visas: The minimum IELTS score for applicants for student visas has been increased from 5.5 to 6.0, ensuring that international students must hold enough proficiency in the English language to successfully integrate into society.

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  Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa: Those who are planning to apply for a Temporary Graduate visa will now have to secure a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, speaking, and listening).

• 
  Post-Study Work Rights: The two-year extension of post-study work rights which were available for international graduates has been discontinued from mid-2024. 

Read Also:

• 
  What Is IELTS? Know all the Relevant Details
• 
  IELTS Indicator: A Brief Overview
• 
  How to Prepare for IELTS - Section-wise Study Guide
• 
  IELTS vs TOEFL vs Other English Exams
• 
  Mechanics of the IELTS Exam

IELTS is important for migration as it helps in getting visas, permanent residency, and work opportunities in IELTS accepted countries like Australia, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand. 

Students must ensure that they regularly visit the official immigration websites to stay updated with the latest trends as immigration rules keep changing. 

If you are planning to study abroad and are confused about whether you can secure admission into your dream university, then we have a tool for you. GyanDhan’s Admit Predictor Tool helps you assess your admission chances based on your academic profile, test scores, and university requirements.

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