For most UAE residents planning to migrate, the English test is the first real expense — and the easiest one to get wrong. Canada does not accept IELTS Academic or PTE Academic. The UK only accepts specific “UKVI” versions for most visas. Australia stopped accepting at-home tests and changed its PTE scores in August 2025. Book the wrong version and you pay again. This guide shows which test each country accepts, what each costs in the UAE, how fast you get results, and how many points your score is actually worth.
Checked on 16 October 2026 against IDP, IRCC, GOV.UK and published Home Affairs score tables. Sources at the end.
On this page
- The short answer: which test for which country
- Your passport decides, your residence changes the route
- Fees and results in the UAE
- Canada: scores and what they are worth
- Australia: Competent, Proficient, Superior
- United Kingdom: B2 with an approved SELT
- New Zealand
- Which test should you choose?
- Mistakes to avoid
- Questions people ask
The short answer: which test for which country
| Destination | Accepted tests (main skilled routes) | Not accepted |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Express Entry) | IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core (and French tests TEF/TCF) | IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Duolingo |
| United Kingdom (Skilled Worker, most visas) | Approved SELTs, for example IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI, at B2 | Standard IELTS or PTE taken outside the SELT system, at-home tests |
| Australia (skilled visas) | IELTS (Academic or General), PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, CELPIP-General, OET, Cambridge C1 Advanced, LanguageCert Academic, Michigan English Test — at a test centre | At-home or online versions |
| New Zealand (Skilled Migrant) | IELTS and other INZ-accepted tests (IELTS 6.5 overall or equivalent) | Check INZ list before booking |
Your passport decides, your residence changes the route
Your passport decides whether you need a test at all. Nationals of majority English-speaking countries are often exempt in the UK and Australia. For Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and Nigerian passport holders, a test is almost always needed — even if you have worked in English in Dubai for years.
Your UAE residence decides where and how you test: the UAE has test centres in every emirate for IELTS, several PTE centres, and CELPIP sessions in Dubai. You pay in dirhams, and your results go online to the immigration authority.
Fees and results in the UAE
| Test | Fee in the UAE | Results |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic / General — computer, writing on computer | AED 1,590 | 3–5 days |
| IELTS Academic / General — computer, writing on paper | AED 1,750 | 3–5 days |
| IELTS for UKVI | AED 1,680 | 3–5 days |
| IELTS Life Skills (some UK family visas) | AED 810 | — |
| IELTS One Skill Retake | AED 1,000–1,100 | 3–5 days |
| PTE Academic / PTE Core / PTE Academic UKVI | about AED 1,350–1,450 | usually within 2 days |
| CELPIP-General | check Paragon’s official site | usually a few business days |
IELTS fees are IDP’s published UAE prices. Paper-based IELTS results take about 13 days. PTE fees vary between published sources, so confirm on Pearson’s site when booking.
Where you can test
- IELTS: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Khorfakkan, Dibba and Motor City.
- PTE: Pearson-approved centres in Dubai (including Business Bay and Dubai Knowledge Park) and Abu Dhabi.
- CELPIP: authorised test centres in Dubai.
Canada: scores and what they are worth
Canada converts every score into a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB). You need CLB 7 in all four abilities for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. Higher CLB levels add a lot of CRS points.
Score needed for each CLB
| CLB | IELTS General (L / R / W / S) | PTE Core (L / R / W / S) | CELPIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 | 60–70 / 60–68 / 69–78 / 68–75 | 7 |
| 8 | 7.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 | 71–81 / 69–77 / 79–87 / 76–83 | 8 |
| 9 | 8.0 / 7.0 / 7.0 / 7.0 | 82–88 / 78–87 / 88–89 / 84–88 | 9 |
| 10 | 8.5 / 8.0 / 7.5 / 7.5 | 89+ / 88+ / 90+ / 89+ | 10 |
Note the IELTS listening jump: moving from CLB 7 to CLB 8 needs 7.5 in listening but only 6.5 in the other skills. Many candidates reach CLB 8 in three skills and miss it on listening.
What CLB is worth in CRS points
For a single applicant (no spouse), each of the four abilities scores:
| CLB per ability | CRS points per ability | Total for 4 abilities |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 17 | 68 |
| 8 | 23 | 92 |
| 9 | 31 | 124 |
| 10+ | 34 | 136 |
So moving from CLB 7 to CLB 9 adds 56 core points — before the extra skill-transferability points that a high language score unlocks when combined with your degree or foreign work experience. For many UAE applicants, a retake is the cheapest way to raise a CRS score.
Results must be less than two years old when you create your profile and when you submit your PR application.
Australia: Competent, Proficient, Superior
Australia changed its accepted tests and PTE scores for tests taken from 7 August 2025. Points for skilled visas:
| Level | Points | IELTS (each skill) | PTE Academic (L / R / W / S) | CELPIP-General (L / R / W / S) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Competent (minimum) | 0 | 6.0 | 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 | 7 / 7 / 7 / 7 |
| Proficient | 10 | 7.0 | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 | 9 / 8 / 10 / 8 |
| Superior | 20 | 8.0 | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 | 10 / 10 / 12 / 10 |
Twenty points for Superior English is often the difference between an invitation and none at all in the 189 and 190 programs. At-home and online versions (such as IELTS Online and TOEFL Home Edition) are not accepted.
United Kingdom: B2 with an approved SELT
New Skilled Worker applicants need B2 since 8 January 2026. Book a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from an approved provider, such as IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI. For IELTS for UKVI, B2 is generally 5.5 in each component. A regular IELTS Academic or General test booked outside the UKVI system will not be accepted for most UK visas.
If your degree was taught in English, an Ecctis confirmation can replace the test. See our degree assessment guide.
New Zealand
The Skilled Migrant Category normally needs IELTS 6.5 overall (or an accepted equivalent) from the principal applicant. Results usually must be no more than two years old, or up to five years for some applicants with occupational registration under the August 2026 changes. See our New Zealand guide.
Which test should you choose?
| If you are… | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Applying only to Canada | CELPIP or IELTS General | CELPIP maps one-to-one to CLB and uses Canadian English; IELTS General has the most UAE dates |
| Applying to Canada and Australia | IELTS General Training (Australia accepts General for skilled visas) | One test can serve both if scores are high enough |
| Targeting Australia Superior English | PTE Academic or IELTS | PTE is computer-scored with fast results; some candidates find its writing and speaking thresholds demanding since August 2025 |
| Applying for a UK work visa | IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI | Only SELTs are accepted |
| Weak in one skill only (IELTS) | IELTS One Skill Retake | Retake one skill instead of the whole test |
There is no “easiest” test for everyone. Take a timed practice test in each format and choose the one where your weakest skill scores best.
Mistakes to avoid
- Taking IELTS Academic or PTE Academic for Canadian PR. Not accepted.
- Taking a regular IELTS for a UK visa instead of IELTS for UKVI.
- Using an at-home or online test for Australia.
- Letting results expire before an invitation or application.
- Entering your name differently from your passport when booking — results with name errors can be rejected.
Questions people ask
Is IELTS Academic accepted for Canada PR?
No. Canada accepts IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core for Express Entry.
How much is IELTS in the UAE in 2026?
AED 1,590 for the computer test with writing on computer, AED 1,750 with writing on paper, and AED 1,680 for IELTS for UKVI.
Which is faster, IELTS or PTE?
PTE results usually arrive within two days. Computer-delivered IELTS results arrive in 3–5 days.
Can I take CELPIP in Dubai?
Yes. CELPIP is offered at authorised test centres in Dubai.
How long are English test results valid?
Two years for Canada and usually for the UK and New Zealand. Australia’s validity depends on the visa; three years is common for skilled visas.
Related guides
- Canada PR from the UAE
- Australia PR from the UAE
- UK Skilled Worker visa from the UAE
- New Zealand Skilled Migrant residence from the UAE
- Degree assessment from the UAE
Sources
- IDP IELTS UAE — test booking and fees: ielts.idp.com
- IRCC — language test equivalency charts: canada.ca
- IRCC — Comprehensive Ranking System criteria: canada.ca
- GOV.UK — Skilled Worker visa: knowledge of English: gov.uk
- Department of Home Affairs — English language requirements (changes from 7 August 2025), as summarised by Ethos Migration
- Pearson PTE — test centres and booking: pearsonpte.com
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 16 October 2026. Rechecked quarterly and when test providers change UAE fees. Found an error? Email [email protected] — it gets fixed and logged.