Each visa, regulator and university sets its own IELTS rule. Pick your goal to see the official numbers, with links.
Up to 10 essays free, no card. Need more?
Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026
Also from: IRCC: Express Entry language requirements
IELTS Academic or General Training
IELTS for Australia PROfficial page Last checked: 19 October 2026
Also from: Home Affairs: Proficient English, Home Affairs: Superior English, Home Affairs: the points table, Home Affairs: English language requirements
Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026
Also from: gov.uk: approved English tests taken outside the UK (spreadsheet), gov.uk: prove your English with a SELT, IELTS: One Skill Retake
IELTS General Training or Academic, in person at a test center
Official page Last checked: 19 October 2026
Also from: Immigration New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category visa
Check this before you book.
In IELTS's own 2024-2025 data, Writing had the lowest average of the four skills in Academic and the second lowest in General Training, after Reading. IELTS test taker performance data, 2024-2025.
One Skill Retake: Express Entry does not accept it. Eligible Australian visas do, and so does UKVI in selected locations, according to IELTS. Immigration New Zealand lists it as accepted.
Who accepts One Skill Retake
It depends on the country. Canada's Express Entry takes General Training only. Australia's skilled visas and New Zealand residence take either. UK work visas need IELTS for UKVI. But doctors, dentists, nurses, midwives and vets who have already passed an English test that their UK regulator accepts do not need to prove their English for the visa. If you also need to register in a profession, check that rule too, because many regulators ask for Academic.
It is a version of IELTS on the UK government's list of approved English tests for visas. You book it at an approved IELTS for UKVI test center, in Academic or General Training. IELTS Life Skills, also on the list, tests only speaking and listening. For a UK degree, your university decides which tests it accepts.
Usually not. Australia's Home Affairs, Immigration New Zealand, the NMC, Ahpra and AITSL do not accept it. Some universities do, such as the University of Toronto and the Technical University of Munich, and so does the GDC for UK dental registration. Check before you book.
Often 2 years, but it depends on who reads it. UK visas, Express Entry, the NMC and Ahpra use 2 years. AITSL and Engineers Australia accept a test from the 3 years before you apply, and CPA Australia counts 3 years from the test date.
No. It sums up official rules in plain words and links each one. Rules change, so check the official page before you book a test or apply.
This page sums up official rules in plain words. It is not immigration or legal advice. Rules change, so check the official page before you book or apply. Every rule here was checked on or after 19 October 2026. VoyaLang is not affiliated with or endorsed by IELTS, the British Council, IDP, or Cambridge Assessment English.
