IELTS Exam Fee 2026 by Country: Full Price Table and Money-Saving Tips
The IELTS exam fee in 2026 depends on your country, your test type and sometimes your test centre. For example, computer-delivered IELTS Academic or General Training costs USD 280–340 in the USA, INR 19,000 in India and UGX 1,397,000 in Uganda. Below you'll find a full table for 12 countries, plus how to pay and how to avoid paying twice.
Quick answer: In 2026, IELTS Academic and General Training cost about USD 280–340 in the USA, GBP 257–260 in the UK, INR 19,000 in India and NGN 299,000 in Nigeria. IELTS for UKVI usually costs a little more, and Life Skills costs less. Prices change and may exclude tax, so always confirm on the official booking page.
IELTS exam fee 2026: price table for 12 countries
These prices are for computer-delivered IELTS. "Academic/GT" means IELTS Academic or General Training. Where a country has two providers (British Council and IDP), we note which one set the price.
Country | Academic / GT | IELTS for UKVI | Life Skills |
|---|---|---|---|
USA | USD 280–340 (by centre, BC) | USD 305 (BC) | USD 195–200 |
UK | From GBP 257–260 (by centre) | GBP 257 (London Central) | GBP 182 |
Canada | CAD 335–361 + tax (IDP) | Check booking page | Check booking page |
India (IDP only) | INR 19,000 | INR 19,250 | INR 18,000 |
Nigeria | NGN 299,000 | NGN 315,500 | NGN 298,500 |
Pakistan | PKR 75,600–76,240 | PKR 72,000 (BC) / 78,820 (IDP) | PKR 50,000 (BC) / 53,000 (IDP) |
Bangladesh | BDT 31,100 | BDT 34,850 | BDT 24,750 (IDP) / 26,000 (BC) |
Nepal | NPR 36,000 | NPR 36,400 (BC) | NPR 29,000 |
Philippines (IDP, from 1 Jul 2026) | PHP 14,470 | PHP 15,059 | PHP 11,055 |
Kenya | KES 41,580 | KES 44,840 | KES 36,180 |
Uganda (BC) | UGX 1,397,000 | UGX 1,490,000 | UGX 936,000 |
Ghana | GHS 3,720 | GHS 4,000 (BC) / 4,800 (IDP) | GHS 2,960 |
Prices change and may exclude tax. Confirm the exact amount for your centre on the British Council booking site or the IDP test centre finder before you pay.
Which IELTS test type should you pay for?
Paying for the wrong test is the most expensive mistake you can make. According to IELTS.org, the four types are:
IELTS Academic: for university study and professional registration.
IELTS General Training: for migration to Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK, and for study or training below degree level.
IELTS for UKVI: Academic or General Training taken under UK SELT conditions, for UK visas.
IELTS Life Skills: A1, A2 or B1 level, Speaking and Listening only, also a UK SELT.
Not sure which score your school or visa needs? Check our score requirements guide before you book.
What the IELTS fee includes
Your fee pays for one sitting of the full test. Per the British Council test format page, that means four parts:
Listening: 30 minutes, 4 parts, 40 questions
Reading: 60 minutes, 40 questions
Writing: 60 minutes, 2 tasks
Speaking: 11–14 minutes, 3 parts, face-to-face
The total test time is 2 hours 45 minutes. Listening, Reading and Writing happen on the same day with no breaks. Speaking may be the same day or up to 7 days before or after, depending on your centre.
Computer-delivered results usually arrive in 1–2 days, though some countries say 1–5 days. Life Skills results take about 9 days.
What the fee does not include
Some costs sit outside the base fee. In Canada, for example, the price is listed plus tax. Transfers can cost extra (more on that below). And if you need to improve one section, a One Skill Retake is a separate payment.
How to pay the IELTS fee
You pay when you register online with the British Council or IDP. Payment options depend on your country:
Card: the most common option.
Mobile money: available in Uganda.
Bank payment: can take up to 2 working days to clear.
If you pay by bank, leave time before the seat you want fills up. Your booking is only confirmed when you get a confirmation email with your test time, venue and Speaking slot.
One Skill Retake: a cheaper second chance
If you miss your target in just one section, you may not need to pay for the full test again. With IELTS One Skill Retake, you retake only Listening, Reading, Writing or Speaking.
It's offered by the British Council and IDP at participating centres for computer-delivered Academic, General Training and UKVI. You must book and sit it within 60 days of your original test. Here's how the cost compares where we have figures:
Country | Full test (Academic/GT) | One Skill Retake |
|---|---|---|
India | INR 19,000 | INR 12,650 |
Canada | CAD 335–361 + tax | About CAD 253 |
Philippines | PHP 14,470 | PHP 8,320 (UKVI 8,840) |
Bangladesh | BDT 31,100 | BDT 18,600 (UKVI 20,900) |
Pakistan | PKR 75,600–76,240 | PKR 48,050 (IDP) |
One warning: not all organisations accept One Skill Retake. Check with your university or visa body first.
How to avoid paying for IELTS twice
A retake can cost as much as your first test. These steps cut that risk.
1. Book the right test type
If you need a UK visa, you need IELTS for UKVI or Life Skills, not standard IELTS. Read your school or visa requirements line by line before you pay.
2. Match your name and ID exactly
Register with your name and ID number exactly as they appear on your passport or national ID. Bring that same original ID on test day. Student IDs, voter IDs and driver's licences are often not accepted.
3. Know the transfer and refund rules
Under the British Council standard policy (Nigeria page as an example):
When you act | Cancel | Transfer |
|---|---|---|
15+ days before | 75% refund (25% admin fee) | Free |
5–14 days before | No refund | 25% fee |
Less than 5 days before | No refund | Not allowed |
If you're ill, you can apply for special consideration within 2 days after the test, with evidence. IDP India works differently: you can cancel at least 9 days before with a 25% deduction, and a transfer costs INR 4,750.
4. Find your score gap before you book
Don't pay for a test date you aren't ready for. Take a timed mock first, then use our score gap tool to see how far you are from your target. If the gap is big, move your date while transfers are still free.
5. Practice under real conditions
Most people who pay twice weren't used to the timing. Practice all four sections at full length with our IELTS practice test so test day feels familiar.
Key takeaways
The IELTS exam fee in 2026 ranges from about USD 280–340 in the USA to INR 19,000 in India.
IELTS for UKVI usually costs a bit more; Life Skills costs less.
Prices change and may exclude tax, so confirm on the official booking page.
One Skill Retake is cheaper than a full test, but not every organisation accepts it.
Transfer 15+ days before your test (British Council) to avoid a fee.
FAQ
How much is the IELTS exam fee in 2026?
It depends on your country. Computer-delivered Academic or General Training costs USD 280–340 in the USA, INR 19,000 in India, NGN 299,000 in Nigeria and UGX 1,397,000 in Uganda. See the table above for 12 countries.
Is IELTS for UKVI more expensive than regular IELTS?
Usually, yes, but only slightly. In Nigeria, UKVI costs NGN 315,500 versus NGN 299,000. In some places the gap is small or reversed, such as Pakistan at the British Council.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my IELTS test?
Under the British Council standard policy, cancelling 15+ days before gives you a 75% refund. Within 14 days, there's no refund. IDP India allows cancellation at least 9 days before, with a 25% deduction.
Can I pay the IELTS fee with mobile money?
In Uganda, yes. Most countries accept card payment. Bank payments can take up to 2 working days to clear.
How long are IELTS results valid?
IELTS.org recommends treating results as valid for 2 years. Your university or visa body may set its own rule, so check with them.
Get it right the first time
The cheapest IELTS test is the one you only take once. Before you pay, take a free full-length mock in our Student Hub and see exactly where you stand. Then book with confidence.
Checked against official sources on 26 October 2026. Fees and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you book.
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo English Test are trademarks of their owners; Prep Passport is not affiliated with them.
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