English test equivalence for visas
Every major English test mapped to CEFR and to the minimum score floor for work, study, and settlement routes across covered destinations. Sourced from each government’s primary guidance.
Last reviewed 20 April 2026.
CEFR equivalence matrix
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is the anchor most immigration authorities use. Every major English test publishes an official conversion to CEFR.
| CEFR | Description | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE | CELPIP / CLB | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Breakthrough / beginner | 2.0 (not normally issued) | 0–31 | 10–29 | CLB 1 | Not accepted for any UK, EU, or commonwealth immigration category. |
| A2 | Elementary / waystage | 3.0 | 32–41 | 30–42 | CLB 2–3 | UK Skilled Worker minimum spoken-only floor for initial visa. Spain DNV family members often require A2. |
| B1 | Intermediate / threshold | 4.0–5.0 | 42–71 | 43‐58 | CLB 4–5 | UK Skilled Worker standard (CEFR B1). UK ILR + citizenship. Germany Niederlassungserlaubnis / citizenship. Portugal citizenship A2—B1. |
| B2 | Upper-intermediate / vantage | 5.5–6.5 | 72–94 | 59–75 | CLB 6–8 | Canada Express Entry (CLB 7+). Ireland student visa. Australia skilled migration 189 (IELTS 6.0–10 points; higher scores = more points). Netherlands civic integration. |
| C1 | Advanced / effective operational proficiency | 7.0–7.5 | 95–110 | 76–84 | CLB 9 | Canada EE “superior” (CLB 9) unlocks max language points. UK Global Talent (varies by endorser). Australia 189 “proficient” (IELTS 7.0) = 10 points. |
| C2 | Mastery / proficient | 8.0–9.0 | 110–120 | 85–90 | CLB 10+ | Australia 189 “superior” (IELTS 8.0) = 20 points. Rarely required by any destination for entry; upper-bound optimisation for points-based systems. |
Test profiles
IELTS
British Council, IDP, Cambridge English
- Scoring:
- 0–9.0 in 0.5 increments, per skill and overall
- Validity:
- 2 years for all immigration purposes
- Cost:
- Approx. £210–£265 (UK), USD 245–260, CAD 319–355
- Delivery:
- Paper + computer-delivered; UK Home Office requires IELTS for UKVI
- Accepted by:
- UK (UKVI SELT), Australia, New Zealand, Canada (IRCC), Ireland, Netherlands, many US universities.
TOEFL iBT
ETS
- Scoring:
- 0–120 total (four 0–30 sections)
- Validity:
- 2 years
- Cost:
- Approx. USD 185–300 depending on country
- Delivery:
- Internet-based; Home Edition accepted in most countries
- Accepted by:
- US universities (near-universal), Canada (IRCC accepts from Aug 2023), Germany, Netherlands, UK universities (but NOT UKVI SELT).
PTE Academic
Pearson
- Scoring:
- 10–90 overall; 10–90 per skill
- Validity:
- 2 years (3 years accepted by Australia DHA for some programmes)
- Cost:
- Approx. £184–£220, AUD 420, CAD 300–355
- Delivery:
- Fully computer-delivered, AI-scored, 2-hour test
- Accepted by:
- Australia (DHA), UK (UKVI as SELT since 2020), Canada (IRCC added PTE Core Nov 2023), New Zealand, Ireland.
CELPIP
Paragon Testing Enterprises (UBC)
- Scoring:
- CLB 1–12 per skill
- Validity:
- 2 years (IRCC + provincial programmes)
- Cost:
- CAD 280–320
- Delivery:
- Computer-delivered, Canadian English focus
- Accepted by:
- Canada only — Express Entry, PNPs, citizenship. Not accepted by UK / US / Australia / EU.
OET
Cambridge Boxhill Language Assessment
- Scoring:
- A (highest) – E per skill; numeric 0–500 each
- Validity:
- 2 years
- Cost:
- Approx. AUD 587, GBP 405
- Delivery:
- Paper + computer; healthcare-profession specific
- Accepted by:
- UK (for Health & Care Worker, nursing, medicine registration), Australia (AHPRA), Ireland (NMBI), New Zealand (NCNZ). Not accepted for non-health routes.
Minimum requirements by destination
| Destination | Route example | Minimum | Accepted tests | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Skilled Worker visa | CEFR B1 in speaking, listening, reading, writing | IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI, Trinity ISE, LanguageCert SELT, OET | GOV.UK — Prove your English for a visa |
| Canada | Express Entry (FSW, CEC) | CLB 7 (CEFR B2) minimum; CLB 9+ for max CRS points | IELTS General, CELPIP General, PTE Core, TEF Canada, TCF Canada | IRCC — Language testing |
| Australia | Subclass 189 Skilled Independent | IELTS 6.0 each (0 points); 7.0 each (10 pts); 8.0 each (20 pts) | IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, CAE, OET (healthcare) | Department of Home Affairs — English language |
| Ireland | Stamp 1 Critical Skills Employment Permit | CEFR B2 for student visas; employer decides for CSEP (typically B1–B2) | IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge English | INIS — English language requirements |
| Germany | EU Blue Card / Chancenkarte | English B1 for Chancenkarte (combined with German A1) or B2 for English-language Blue Card contracts | TestDaF, Goethe, telc, IELTS, TOEFL (for English proficiency) | Make it in Germany — Language skills |
| United States | H-1B, F-1 | No universal English floor for H-1B; F-1 students typically need TOEFL 79 / IELTS 6.5 at the admitting institution | TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo (university-dependent) | USCIS — Policy manual |
| Netherlands | Highly Skilled Migrant / Orientation Year | No test for HSM / DAFT; civic integration requires A2 Dutch within 3 years of residence permit | Dutch civic integration exam; English not tested for work routes | IND — Civic integration |
| Portugal | D7, D8 digital nomad | A2 Portuguese required for citizenship after 5 years; no language test for entry | CIPLE (Portuguese); English not required | AIMA — Portuguese nationality |
| Spain | Non-lucrative / Digital Nomad | A2 Spanish (DELE) required for citizenship; no entry test | DELE, CCSE for citizenship | Ministerio de Inclusión |
| United Arab Emirates | Green Visa / Golden Visa | No national language test for most routes; employer may require English; naturalisation is by Presidential decree only | Employer-set | ICP — Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship |
How to choose
- Applying to the UK: only a SELT will be accepted. IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI are the most common. TOEFL will not work.
- Applying to Canada: CELPIP General is the cheapest and Canada-specific option. IELTS General works equally well; PTE Core is newer (2023) and gaining share. Each CLB band feeds your CRS score: score your Express Entry profile.
- Applying to Australia: PTE Academic is computer-delivered, 2 hours, and returns results in 24–48 hours — the fastest option for points-based applications.
- Healthcare roles (UK/AU/IE/NZ): OET is purpose-built for clinicians and often easier to pass than IELTS Academic for medical vocabulary.
- Retaking: every major test allows unlimited retakes. Most applicants see a +0.5 IELTS band improvement on a second attempt; beyond that, structured preparation is needed.
Frequently asked questions
Which English test does the UK Home Office accept?
The Home Office accepts Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) from approved providers only: IELTS for UKVI, LanguageCert International ESOL SELT, Pearson PTE Academic UKVI, Trinity ISE, and OET (for Health and Care visas). TOEFL is NOT accepted for UK immigration, only for university admission.
What is the highest English level I need for Canada Express Entry?
The minimum is CLB 7 for Federal Skilled Worker, but CLB 9 in all four skills (CEFR C1, IELTS 7.0 listening / 7.0 reading / 7.0 writing / 7.0 speaking) gives maximum language points. Each CRS point matters — CLB 9 in first + second language can contribute 136 of 600 CRS.
Can I use TOEFL for Australia’s skilled migration?
Yes. Australia accepts TOEFL iBT for skilled migration (189/190/491) with scores mapped to the IELTS 6.0 / 7.0 / 8.0 bands for competency, proficient, and superior English. However, PTE Academic is the most popular choice among applicants due to pure computer delivery and faster results.
How long is an English test result valid for immigration?
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic, and CELPIP results are valid for 2 years from the test date. This is counted from the date of the language test, not the date of application. Expired results cannot be used; you must retake if the original is more than 2 years old at submission.
Which test is cheapest?
Globally, TOEFL is typically cheapest in emerging-market countries (from USD 185). In the UK and Australia, PTE Academic tends to be 10-20% cheaper than IELTS. CELPIP is only available in Canada and India. Costs exclude preparation courses, which can add USD 300-1,500.
Do I need an English test for a Schengen work visa?
Most Schengen destinations do not require a universal English test for the primary visa. Germany’s EU Blue Card requires proof of language commensurate with the job (English B2 is typical for English-contract roles; German A1–B1 for German-speaking roles). Netherlands civic integration at A2 Dutch is required within 3 years of permanent residence, not at entry.