General 10 min readApril 2026

IELTS Band Score Requirements by Country and Visa Type (2026)

Up-to-date band score requirements for UK, Australia, Canada, USA, and New Zealand — immigration, study, and work visas.

Band ScoresRequirementsImmigration2026
Important: Requirements change regularly. Always verify with the official institution, visa authority, or employer before applying. The figures below reflect commonly published requirements as of early 2026.

United Kingdom

PurposeOverall BandNotes
Student Visa (universities)6.0–7.0Varies by institution and course
Skilled Worker Visa4.0 (B1 CEFR)Life in the UK test also required
Graduate Route VisaNo IELTS requiredMust have UK degree
NHS / Healthcare roles7.0–7.5Often requires 7.0 in each skill

Australia

PurposeOverall BandNotes
Student Visa (universities)6.0–6.5Minimum 6.0 in each component
Skilled Independent Visa (189)6.0–8.0Higher score = more points
Employer Sponsored (482)5.0–6.0Depends on occupation
Partner VisaNo minimumIELTS not always required

Canada

PurposeOverall BandNotes
Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)6.0 (CLB 7)Higher = more CRS points
Canadian Experience Class6.0–7.0Depends on NOC category
Study Permit (universities)6.0–6.5Varies by institution
Provincial Nominee Programs4.0–7.0Varies widely by province

New Zealand

PurposeOverall BandNotes
Skilled Migrant Category6.5Minimum 6.0 per component
Student Visa5.5–6.5Varies by institution
Accredited Employer Work Visa5.0–6.5Depends on role