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IELTS for Chefs: Band Score Requirements for Skilled Worker Visas & Immigration

Chefs typically need IELTS Band 5.0-6.0 for skilled worker visas. This is the lowest threshold among the professions covered on this site — reflecting that the requirement is immigration-driven, not profession-driven. However, targeting a higher score (6.5-7.0) significantly improves your visa points and invitation timelines.

Oleksii Vasylenko
Oleksii VasylenkoIELTS 8.0
Founder & IELTS Preparation Specialist

Last verified: April 14, 2026. Immigration requirements change frequently — always confirm directly with the relevant immigration authority.

IELTS Band Score Requirements by Country

Australia

DHA (Official page)

GT 5.0 for Subclass 482; 6.0 for permanent

IELTS GT Band 5.0 minimum for Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage). Band 6.0 for Subclass 189/190 (permanent). Band 7.0 = 10 points, Band 8.0 = 20 points. Chef is ANZSCO 351311 — on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List.

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Rules and exceptions

Chef (ANZSCO 351311) is on Australia's Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making it eligible for Subclass 189 (independent), 190 (state-nominated), and 482 (employer-sponsored) visas.

For the Subclass 482 visa, IELTS General Training Band 5.0 overall (with no component below 4.5) is the minimum. For permanent migration (189/190), there's no strict minimum, but higher scores earn crucial points: Band 6.0 = 0 points, Band 7.0 = 10 points, Band 8.0 = 20 points.

You'll also need a skills assessment from TRA (Trades Recognition Australia), which evaluates your qualifications and experience against Australian standards — but TRA does not set its own English requirement.

New Zealand

INZ (Official page)

GT 5.0 for AEWV; 6.5 for Skilled Migrant

IELTS GT Band 5.0 minimum for Accredited Employer Work Visa. Band 6.5 overall for Skilled Migrant Category (points-based). PTE Academic (36+) also accepted.

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Rules and exceptions

Chefs are on New Zealand's Green List (Tier 2), providing a pathway to residence. The Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) requires IELTS General Training Band 5.0 overall as a minimum.

For the points-based Skilled Migrant Category, IELTS 6.5 overall is typically expected. Higher scores improve your Expression of Interest (EOI) ranking.

United Kingdom

Home Office (Official page)

CEFR B1 (IELTS GT 4.0 each); Shortage Occupation List

CEFR B1 (IELTS GT 4.0 each component) for Skilled Worker visa. Chefs (SOC 5434) are on the Shortage Occupation List — reduced salary threshold of £26,200. Higher scores not required but improve settlement eligibility.

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Rules and exceptions

The UK Skilled Worker visa for chefs requires CEFR B1 (IELTS General Training Band 4.0 in each component). This is the lowest English threshold among UK visa categories.

Chef (SOC 5434) is on the UK Shortage Occupation List as of 2024, which reduces the minimum salary threshold to £26,200 (vs £38,700 standard). The Immigration Skills Charge (£1,000/year for small sponsors) still applies.

After five years on a Skilled Worker visa, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). ILR requires passing the Life in the UK test and meeting CEFR B1 English — your original IELTS score satisfies this.

Canada

IRCC (Official page)

CLB 5 minimum for FSW; CLB 7+ boosts CRS

IELTS GT CLB 5 minimum (L5.0 R4.0 W5.0 S5.0) for Federal Skilled Worker. CLB 7+ significantly boosts CRS score. Chef is NOC 63200. CELPIP and TEF (French) also accepted.

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Rules and exceptions

Chef is NOC 63200 in Canada's National Occupational Classification. For the Federal Skilled Worker Program, minimum CLB 7 (IELTS GT: L6.0 R6.0 W6.0 S6.0) is required. Express Entry CRS points scale with language score — CLB 9+ significantly boosts rankings.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) may accept lower CLB levels (CLB 4-5) for employer-sponsored nominations. Quebec uses TEF (French) instead of IELTS.

UAE

MOHRE (Official page)

No formal IELTS; premium hotels may request 5.0–5.5

No formal IELTS requirement for most chef positions. Employer-sponsored visas don't mandate English testing. Premium hotels and restaurant groups may request Band 5.0-5.5 as part of their hiring process.

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Rules and exceptions

The UAE does not require IELTS for chef employment visas. Employer-sponsored work permits don't mandate English testing. However, premium hotel groups (Marriott, Hilton, Jumeirah) may request Band 5.0-5.5 during their hiring process.

For the UAE Golden Visa or Long-Term Residence Visa, English testing is not a standard requirement — these visas are based on employment sponsorship, salary levels, or investment criteria.

Why Chefs Struggle With IELTS (And How to Fix It)

Kitchen English ≠ IELTS English

You communicate effectively in high-pressure environments — but kitchen English is abbreviated, imperative, and specialised ('86 the salmon', 'sharp behind'). IELTS tests formal, extended, academic English. Start by practising expanding single-word instructions into full sentences: 'The salmon has been removed from the menu' instead of '86 salmon'.

Brutal Schedules Destroy Study Routines

10-14 hour shifts, split shifts, weekends, and holidays — chef schedules are incompatible with regular study plans. Abandon the idea of daily 2-hour sessions. Instead: 10-minute flashcard drills before morning prep, audio-based Listening practice during commutes, and one focused 45-minute Writing session per week.

Reading Stamina Is Low

Chefs read recipes, order lists, and health inspection reports — all short-form. IELTS Reading presents three 800-word academic passages in 60 minutes. Build stamina gradually: start with one passage per practice session, then add timing pressure. News articles about food science make excellent bridge reading.

Frequently Asked Questions (IELTS for Chefs)

Do chefs need IELTS for professional registration?

No. There is no professional body for chefs that requires IELTS. Your IELTS score is for immigration/visa purposes only — it proves English proficiency to immigration authorities, not to a culinary licensing board.

Should I take IELTS Academic or General Training?

General Training. Since chefs need IELTS for immigration only (not professional registration), IELTS General Training is the correct module. It's also slightly easier than Academic — the Reading section uses everyday texts, and Writing Task 1 is a letter instead of a graph description.

What IELTS band score do chefs need for Australian PR?

The minimum is Band 5.0 for a temporary visa (Subclass 482). For permanent residency (189/190), there's no strict minimum, but higher scores earn crucial points: Band 7.0 = 10 points, Band 8.0 = 20 points. Most successful chef applicants score 6.0-7.0.

Is chef still on the skilled occupation list for Australia?

Yes — Chef (ANZSCO 351311) remains on Australia's Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) as of April 2026. It's eligible for Subclass 189, 190, and 482 visas.

Can I take PTE instead of IELTS?

Yes. PTE Academic is accepted by Australian and New Zealand immigration. The UK Home Office accepts PTE, TOEFL, and Trinity ISE. Canada's Express Entry accepts IELTS GT, CELPIP, and TEF. Choose the test that suits your strengths.

Sources

  1. Australia Home Affairs: Skilled Occupation List
  2. Immigration New Zealand: Green List
  3. UK Home Office: Shortage Occupation List
  4. IRCC: Express Entry Requirements

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