Which English test do I need for a UK Skilled Worker visa?

UKVI accepts IELTS for UKVI (typical requirement IELTS 4.0 overall for B1 level) and LanguageCert IESOL for UKVI. Cambridge B2 First is accepted only for some higher visa routes.

Which test does Canadian Express Entry accept?

IELTS General Training is most common, alongside CELPIP General. Both map to CLB scores: CLB 7 (IELTS 6.0 each) is the typical Federal Skilled Worker threshold, with higher CLB levels earning more CRS points.

Which test is fastest for Australian skilled migration?

PTE Academic. PTE 79+ counts as Superior English (20 migration points), and is generally faster to reach than IELTS 8.0. Test centres offer near-daily scheduling.

Can I use the same test for both admission and immigration?

For UK: yes, if you take the UKVI version of IELTS or LanguageCert. For Canada / Australia: usually the same Academic or General Training test works for both purposes.

English Tests for Immigration: UK, Canada, Australia Compared

Different immigration programmes accept different English tests with different score thresholds. Here's a clear, current comparison for UK Skilled Worker visas, Canadian Express Entry, and Australian Skilled Migration — including how each test maps to the required level.

1. Why this matters

For immigration applicants:

Your test choice determines your score requirements
Your score determines your CEFR level
Your CEFR level determines your points in the immigration system

Choosing the wrong test can cost you the entire application.

2. UK — UKVI Skilled Worker and similar routes

Accepted tests:

IELTS for UKVI Academic
IELTS for UKVI General Training
Cambridge B2 First (for some routes)
LanguageCert IESOL for UKVI (now widely accepted)

Typical requirement: B1 CEFR overall (Skilled Worker route)

Mapping:

IELTS UKVI: 4.0 overall
LanguageCert IESOL B1: pass at B1 level
Cambridge B2 First: not used for Skilled Worker (typically a higher route)

Notes:

UKVI accepts only tests at approved SELT centres or online with approved proctoring
Test must be taken within 2 years of visa application
Different routes have different requirements (Innovator: B2; Health and Care worker: B1)

3. Canada — Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker)

Accepted tests:

IELTS General Training
CELPIP General
TEF Canada (for French)
TCF Canada (for French)

Typical requirement: CLB 7 (equivalent to IELTS 6.0 each section)

Mapping:

IELTS GT: 6.0 in each of 4 sections
CELPIP: 7 in each of 4 sections

Scoring impact: Higher English scores give you more CRS points, which determines your position in the immigration draw.

CLB level	CRS points (English)
CLB 7	17
CLB 8	23
CLB 9	31
CLB 10+	32

Going from CLB 7 to CLB 9 means +14 points — often the difference between getting an ITA (Invitation to Apply) and not.

4. Australia — Skilled Migration (Subclass 189, 190, 491)

Accepted tests:

IELTS Academic or General Training
PTE Academic
TOEFL iBT
Cambridge C1 Advanced
OET (for healthcare professions)

Typical requirement: Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each) minimum

Scoring impact (Skilled Migration points):

Competent English (IELTS 6.0): 0 points
Proficient English (IELTS 7.0): 10 points
Superior English (IELTS 8.0): 20 points

Strategic note: Going from competent to superior English adds 20 points — often the decisive factor in skilled migration EOI rankings.

5. The PTE advantage for Australia

For Australian skilled migration:

IELTS 8.0 in each of 4 = Superior English
PTE 79+ in each of 4 = Superior English

PTE 79 is roughly equivalent to IELTS 8.0, but anecdotally easier to achieve.

Why: PTE's machine grading is more forgiving of accent (if your English is clear) and the format rewards efficiency. Many Asian applicants find PTE faster to master.

Recommendation: For Australian Skilled Migration with Superior English target, PTE typically delivers faster results.

6. Test calendar implications

Test	Frequency	Where to take
IELTS UKVI	Weekly	British Council / IDP centres
LanguageCert IESOL	Weekly + online	Approved SELT centres or online
PTE Academic	Daily	Pearson VUE centres
CELPIP	Multiple times weekly	CELPIP centres
TOEFL iBT	Daily online	Test centre or home edition
Cambridge	Monthly	Authorised centres

For tight immigration deadlines, PTE and TOEFL iBT offer the most scheduling flexibility.

7. The cost comparison

Test	Approximate cost	Validity
IELTS UKVI	£196	2 years
LanguageCert IESOL UKVI	£155	2 years
PTE Academic	£170	2 years
CELPIP	80 CAD (~£165)	2 years
TOEFL iBT	£190	2 years
Cambridge B2 First	£155	Lifetime certificate

8. Decision tree

If you're targeting:

UK Skilled Worker → IELTS UKVI or LanguageCert IESOL
Canada Express Entry → IELTS General Training (most common) or CELPIP
Australia Skilled Migration → PTE Academic (for fast Superior English) or IELTS Academic
Multiple destinations → IELTS Academic (most universal)

9. Practical preparation strategy

For most candidates aiming at B2-C1 immigration scores:

Take our 10-question CEFR test to confirm starting level
Choose the test that fits your destination
Use our exam-specific track for 8–12 weeks of focused prep
Take a paid practice test at the 6-week mark
Sit the real test 2 weeks after the practice test

This pattern reliably delivers immigration-ready scores within 3 months.

10. The honest caveat

Immigration policies change. Test acceptance lists are updated annually. Always verify the current accepted list with the immigration body before booking. The information here is correct as of 2026, but verify directly:

UK: gov.uk/find-a-visa
Canada: ircc.canada.ca
Australia: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au