IELTS Score for UK Immigration
The IELTS band you need to immigrate to United Kingdom, scored against the CEFR levels (UK Visas & Immigration). Official thresholds, a full conversion table, and how to check your band before you book the test.
What IELTS score do I need for United Kingdom immigration?
Skilled Worker and Health & Care Worker visas require CEFR B1 — IELTS for UKVI 4.0 in each section. Professional registration sits higher: the NMC (nursing) requires 7.0 and the GMC (doctors) 7.5.
The UK measures English against the CEFR scale, and most work visas — Skilled Worker, Health & Care Worker, Senior or Specialist Worker — require CEFR level B1, which corresponds to an IELTS for UKVI band of 4.0 in each of the four sections. The test must be booked at an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) centre. Professional licensing bodies set much higher bars: the Nursing and Midwifery Council requires IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with Writing 6.5, and the General Medical Council requires 7.5 overall with no section below 7.0. Indefinite Leave to Remain and British citizenship also require B1 English plus the Life in the UK test.
Which IELTS test: IELTS for UKVI (Secure English Language Test).
UK IELTS requirements by pathway
| Route | CEFR | IELTS requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Worker / Health & Care Worker visaMust be taken at an approved SELT centre | B1 | IELTS for UKVI 4.0 in each section |
| Nursing & Midwifery Council (NMC) registration | — | IELTS Academic 7.0 overall, Writing 6.5 |
| General Medical Council (GMC) registration | — | IELTS Academic 7.5 overall, no band below 7.0 |
| Indefinite Leave to Remain / citizenship | B1 | 4.0 in each section + Life in the UK test |
| Student visaDegree-level courses are assessed directly by the university; below-degree courses use IELTS for UKVI | B1 – B2 | Set by the route and the sponsoring institution |
Requirements are set by UK Visas & Immigration and individual regulators. The IELTS for UKVI test differs from the standard IELTS — confirm your route needs it on GOV.UK before booking.
Official source: GOV.UK
UK IELTS immigration requirements - common questions
What IELTS score do I need for a UK Skilled Worker visa?
The UK Skilled Worker visa requires English at CEFR level B1, which is an IELTS for UKVI band of 4.0 in each of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The test must be booked at an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) centre — the standard IELTS does not count for this route.
What IELTS score do nurses and doctors need for the UK?
For professional registration the bar is much higher than the visa itself. The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) requires IELTS Academic 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in Writing, and the General Medical Council (GMC) requires 7.5 overall with no section below 7.0.
What is IELTS for UKVI and do I need it?
IELTS for UKVI is the same test as IELTS Academic or General Training but taken at a UK-government-approved SELT centre, so the result can be used for visa applications. You need it for most work and below-degree study routes; degree-level university courses are usually assessed by the institution directly.
What IELTS score do I need for a UK student visa?
For degree-level courses the university sets and assesses the English requirement, so the IELTS band on your CAS is the one the course publishes (commonly 6.0–7.0). For below-degree courses you need IELTS for UKVI at the CEFR level required by the route. Always confirm with your sponsoring institution.