Most work visas do not ask for an IELTS score at all. Where one is required, the bar is modest: the UK Skilled Worker visa now needs B2 (IELTS for UKVI 5.5 in each skill), Australia's Skills in Demand visa needs 5.0 in each skill, and Canada's post-graduation work permit needs CLB 5 or CLB 7 in IELTS General Training. Higher scores, such as 7.0 for nurses, come from professional regulators, not from the visa.
Checked against official government pages on September 23, 2026. Immigration rules change often, so confirm on the official page before you apply.
Skilled Worker and Health and Care Worker visas
5.5 in each skill (B2)Accepted IELTS: IELTS for UKVI
Applies to new applicants from 8 January 2026 (it was B1, 4.0 in each skill). Doctors, nurses and other health professionals who passed their regulator's English check do not need a separate test. Official page
Senior or Specialist Worker visa (Global Business Mobility)
No English test
No English requirement. Official page
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
5.0 in each skillAccepted IELTS: IELTS Academic or General Training
For tests taken from 13 September 2025. The test must be taken within 3 years before you apply. Labour Agreement stream: set by the agreement. Official page
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494)
6.0 in each skill (Competent English)Accepted IELTS: IELTS Academic or General Training
One Skill Retake is accepted. IELTS Online is not. Official page
Post-graduation work permit (PGWP)
CLB 7: 6.0 in each skill. CLB 5: Listening 5.0, Reading 4.0, Writing 5.0, Speaking 5.0Accepted IELTS: IELTS General Training
CLB 7 for degree programmes, CLB 5 for college and other programmes, for applications from 1 November 2024. Results must be less than two years old. Official page
Employer-specific (LMIA) work permit
No English test
No fixed test score today. IRCC plans to add language testing to some work permits, so check before you apply. Official page
Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
4.0 overallAccepted IELTS: IELTS Academic or General Training, taken in person
For roles at skill levels 4 and 5, and skill level 3 from 1 June 2026. Results must be less than two years old. Official page
Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
B2 English or A1 GermanAccepted IELTS: IELTS accepted; no band score published
Only on the points route; people with a fully recognised qualification are exempt. Tests must be less than one year old. The EU Blue Card has no language requirement. Official page
Ireland's employment permits, Singapore's Employment Pass and S Pass, Germany's EU Blue Card and the UAE work residence visa do not ask for an English test. Employers and professional regulators still can.
Regulated jobs set their own English rules, usually much higher than the visa. Check the regulator before you book a test.
For the visas above, the UK asks for IELTS for UKVI, Canada accepts only General Training, and Australia and New Zealand accept either version. Professional regulators usually ask for IELTS Academic, so check both before you book.
There is no single minimum. Many work visas need no test at all. Of those that do, New Zealand's AEWV asks for 4.0 overall, Australia's Skills in Demand visa 5.0 in each skill, the UK Skilled Worker visa 5.5 in each skill (IELTS for UKVI), and Australia's subclass 494 visa 6.0 in each skill.
From 8 January 2026, new applicants need English at B2: IELTS for UKVI with 5.5 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. People who got the visa earlier at B1 do not need to prove it again when they extend.
Yes. Home Affairs accepts IELTS Academic and General Training for the Skills in Demand (482) and subclass 494 visas. Skills assessments and registration boards for your occupation may ask for Academic.
No. US work visas such as the H-1B have no English test requirement. Foreign-trained healthcare workers are the exception: they need a VisaScreen certificate, which includes an English test.
It depends on the country. The UK, Canada and New Zealand accept results up to two years old. Australia accepts tests taken within three years before you apply. Germany's Opportunity Card needs tests less than one year old.
Sources