If you’re planning to take IELTS in 2026, here’s the urgent reality: the exam fee you’re about to pay is not “one global price” anymore—and for many test takers, the number on the IELTS exam booking page is going to feel like a surprise punch to the budget. Across continents, IELTS costs are sitting at dramatically different levels, and depending on where you live (or where you book), the same English proficiency test can land anywhere from under $200 to well over $400.
This matters because IELTS is not just “an exam” in 2026—it’s the gatekeeper for university admissions, scholarships, migration pathways, professional licensing, and visa approvals. And while thousands of candidates spend months preparing for their target band score, a growing number are getting caught off guard by something far more immediate: the price. In certain regions, UKVI and immigration versions are noticeably higher, and in others, even standard Academic or General Training bookings are trending toward premium-level fees.
That’s why this global cost guide is essential for 2026 test takers. Instead of vague estimates and outdated numbers, we’re breaking down IELTS prices by sub-continent with local currency and USD equivalents—so you can plan like a serious applicant, avoid booking the wrong test version, and make sure your IELTS fee doesn’t become the first obstacle before you even step into the test hall.
Who runs IELTS Worldwide (and who you actually book with)?
IELTS is jointly owned and managed globally by three organizations: British Council, IDP IELTS (IDP Education), and Cambridge University Press & Assessment. In most countries, you book your test through British Council or IDP test centres. Cambridge mainly supports test development and assessment, so you typically don’t “book IELTS” with Cambridge directly. In the United States, IELTS is delivered through the IELTS USA network of independent test centers.
Average IELTS fee in USD by provider (2026 planning average)
| Organization / Network | Role in IELTS | Avg Standard IELTS (Academic/General) | Avg IELTS UKVI | Avg Life Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Council | Official test provider / test centres | ~$255 | ~$305 | ~$200 |
| IDP IELTS (IDP Education) | Official test provider / test centres | ~$255 | ~$305 | ~$200 |
| Cambridge University Press & Assessment | Test development/assessment partner (not a booking provider) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| IELTS USA (United States network) | US testing network (prices vary by center) | ~$255 (typical $215–$295) | Varies | Varies |
What you’re actually paying for in 2026: IELTS test types that change the fee
Most people hear “IELTS” and assume there’s one standard product. In reality, there are versions—and the version alone can change the cost even within the same country.
1# IELTS Academic / IELTS General Training (Standard IELTS)
This is the “main” IELTS most candidates take.
- Academic is usually for university admissions and some professional requirements.
- General Training is usually for migration, work, and certain visa categories.
In most countries, Academic and General Training cost the same (or very close).
2# IELTS for UKVI (Secure / immigration version)
This version is required for specific visa routes that demand a Secure English Language Test (SELT) framework.
- It’s often priced higher than Standard IELTS.
- Even when the difference is “small,” it still matters when you’re budgeting for applications, visa fees, and document processing.
3# IELTS Life Skills
A simpler test format used for specific visa categories (speaking and listening only, depending on level).
-
Often cheaper than full IELTS, depending on the country.
IELTS Exam Cost in South Asian Countries in 2026
In South Asia, the Standard IELTS fee commonly sits in the low-to-mid $200s, but some markets vary by test center and location, so checking multiple dates and centers can matter.
- India: Standard ₹18,000 (~$215) | UKVI ₹18,250 (~$218)
- Pakistan: Standard PKR 66,400–71,920 (~$235–$255) | UKVI ~PKR 72,000 (~$260)
- Bangladesh: Standard ~BDT 22,500 (~$205) | UKVI ~BDT 24,000 (~$220)
- Sri Lanka: Standard LKR 25,100 (~$78) | UKVI LKR 42,900 (~$135)
What this tells you: this sub-continent is not “one price zone.” You’ll see different affordability levels depending on the local currency and how the fee is structured.
IELTS Test Cost in East Asian Countries in 2026
East Asia is where many candidates experience a “wait… why is it that high?” moment. Some markets land well above $250 for Standard IELTS.
- China: Standard ~CNY 2,170 (~$305) | UKVI ~CNY 2,500 (~$350)
- Japan: Standard ¥25,380 (~$170) | UKVI ¥30,600 (~$205)
- South Korea: Standard ~KRW 299,000 (~$225) | UKVI ~KRW 330,000 (~$250)
The takeaway: if you’re budgeting based on “typical Asia pricing,” remember that Asia is huge—and some East Asian markets price closer to European levels than Southeast Asian levels.
IELTS Exam Cost in South East Asian Countries in 2026
Southeast Asia often looks attractive for Standard IELTS pricing, but UKVI can jump notably in a few markets.
- Vietnam: Standard ₫4,750,000 (~$190) | UKVI ₫6,600,000 (~$265)
- Indonesia: Standard Rp 2,900,000 (~$185) | UKVI Rp 3,780,000 (~$240)
- Malaysia: Standard RM 795 (~$170) | UKVI RM 850 (~$182)
- Thailand: Standard THB 7,500 (~$210) | UKVI THB 8,500 (~$240)
Practical budgeting note: if you’re taking Standard IELTS, this region can sit comfortably under $220 in several places. If you need UKVI, always check the exact version before paying, because the gap can be large.
IELTS Exam Cost in Middle Eastern Countries in 2026
This is one of the costliest regions for IELTS in 2026. If you’re booking here, it’s completely normal for your IELTS fee to sit between the mid-$300s and low-$400s.
- United Arab Emirates: Standard AED 1,340 (~$365) | UKVI AED 1,500 (~$410)
- Saudi Arabia: Standard SAR 1,300 (~$345) | UKVI SAR 1,450 (~$385)
- Qatar: Standard QAR 1,250 (~$343) | UKVI QAR 1,400 (~$385)
If you’re a test taker here, the best move is simple: don’t delay planning. When the base cost is already high, late changes, rescheduling, and reattempts become expensive fast.
IELTS English Test Cost in All African Countries in 2026
Africa is where the “same exam, different reality” effect becomes clearest. Some markets show very low USD equivalents, while others sit closer to global averages.
North Africa examples:
- Egypt: Standard EGP 9,400 (~$190)
- Morocco: Standard ~MAD 2,600 (~$255)
Sub-Saharan examples:
- Nigeria: Standard NGN 75,000 (~$85–$95) | UKVI NGN 97,000 (~$120)
- Kenya: Standard KES 23,660 (~$180) | UKVI KES 25,600 (~$195)
- South Africa: Standard ZAR 3,620 (~$195)
What matters here: the USD equivalent is heavily influenced by currency value and local pricing structures. Don’t assume one African country predicts another.
IELTS Exam Cost in European Countries in 2026
Europe generally clusters in a higher band than much of Asia and Africa (though you’ll still see differences between countries).
- United Kingdom: Standard £220–£265 (~$280–$340) | UKVI ~£200+ (~$255–$310)
- Germany: Standard €229 (~$250)
- France: Standard €235 (~$257)
- Italy: Standard €284 (~$310)
- Netherlands: Standard €225 (~$245) | UKVI €228 (~$248)
For planning: Europe is rarely the cheapest place to sit IELTS, but it’s relatively predictable compared to regions where the fee swings wildly by market.
IELTS Exam Cost in Australia/New Zealand in 2026
Oceania sits in a fairly consistent band around the low-to-mid $200s.
- Australia: Standard AUD 340 (~$225)
- New Zealand: Standard NZD 385 (~$235)
Americas: the US range is wide; Canada is steadier
The Americas show an interesting pattern: one market can vary quite a lot depending on location and test center, while another sits tighter in a defined band.
- United States: Standard $215–$295 (~$215–$295)
- Canada: Standard CA$309–319 (~$230–$240)
Latin America examples:
- Brazil: Standard BRL 840 (~$165) | UKVI BRL 1,064 (~$210)
- Mexico: Standard ~MXN 4,500 (~$260) | UKVI ~MXN 5,200 (~$300)
Budgeting advice here is simple: if you’re booking in a market with a wide spread, checking nearby test centers can sometimes make a real difference.
Why IELTS fees feel “unfair” in 2026 (and why they vary anyway)
It helps to know what drives the difference so you don’t panic when you see a higher price:
-
Local operating costs
Test centers have staffing, venue, and security requirements that differ by country. -
Currency conditions
A fee that looks “normal” in local currency can convert into a surprising USD amount depending on exchange rates. -
Different IELTS products
Standard vs UKVI vs Life Skills are not priced identically. -
Test center and format variations
Some locations price computer-delivered and paper-based tests slightly differently, or apply local administrative costs.
So the variation isn’t random—but it is real.
2026 budgeting rules every IELTS test taker should follow
If you want to avoid last-minute stress, these rules save money and reduce the risk of booking the wrong test.
Rule 1: Confirm your test version before paying
Many people accidentally book the wrong test because “IELTS is IELTS.”
If your institution or visa route requires a specific version (especially UKVI), confirm it first.
Rule 2: Add a buffer to your budget
Even if your base fee is clear, plan a small buffer for:
- Administrative charges,
- Rebooking/rescheduling scenarios,
- A second attempt (if your target band score is strict).
Rule 3: Don’t build your budget from someone else’s screenshot
IELTS is one of those exams where online advice can mislead you because the pricing is local. Use regional expectations, then verify your exact test center fee at booking time.
- Book IELTS Test With British Council: https://takeielts.britishcouncil.org/take-ielts/book
- Book IELTS Test With IDP: https://ielts.idp.com/about/ielts-online-bookings-open
- Book IELTS Test With USA: https://ielts.org/take-a-test/booking-your-test
- Book IELTS Exam With Cambridge: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/ielts/