IELTS exam fees vary significantly by country, set by local British Council and IDP offices. This guide covers the current fees in major test-taking countries, what the fee includes, and how to manage retake costs.
IELTS Exam Fees by Country (2026)
| Country | Approximate Fee | Currency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | ₹17,000 - ₹18,000 | INR | British Council and IDP; varies slightly |
| Pakistan | PKR 46,000 - 52,000 | PKR | |
| Bangladesh | BDT 18,000 - 20,000 | BDT | |
| Sri Lanka | LKR 45,000 - 50,000 | LKR | |
| Nepal | NPR 28,000 - 32,000 | NPR | |
| Nigeria | NGN 90,000 - 110,000 | NGN | |
| Ghana | GHS 700 - 800 | GHS | |
| Kenya | KES 22,000 - 26,000 | KES | |
| UAE | AED 900 - 1,050 | AED | |
| Saudi Arabia | SAR 890 - 970 | SAR | |
| Egypt | EGP 4,500 - 5,500 | EGP | |
| UK | £170 - £195 | GBP | IELTS for UKVI: ~£195 |
| USA | $215 - $240 | USD | |
| Canada | CAD 300 - 335 | CAD | |
| Australia | AUD 385 - 425 | AUD | |
| New Zealand | NZD 385 - 425 | NZD | |
| Ireland | €210 - €240 | EUR | |
| Germany | €230 - €260 | EUR | |
| France | €220 - €250 | EUR | |
| Singapore | SGD 320 - 365 | SGD | |
| Malaysia | MYR 750 - 850 | MYR | |
| China | CNY 1,900 - 2,200 | CNY | |
| South Korea | KRW 260,000 - 290,000 | KRW | |
| Japan | JPY 25,000 - 28,000 | JPY | |
| Brazil | BRL 700 - 800 | BRL |
Fees are approximate and subject to change. Always confirm current fees on your local British Council or IDP website.
What the IELTS Fee Includes
Your IELTS registration fee covers:
| Included | Detail |
|---|---|
| Test sitting | All four skills (L, R, W, S) |
| One Test Report Form (TRF) | Official result certificate |
| 5 free TRF copies | Sent to institutions of your choice |
| Online result access | Typically included |
| Score recognition | Results valid at all approved institutions |
Not included in standard fee:
- Additional TRFs beyond the initial 5 (typically ~$22 USD each)
- IELTS for UKVI version (slightly higher fee at approved centres)
- Enquiry on Results (EOR), challenging your score (~$35-$100 USD depending on country)
IELTS for UKVI - Higher Fee
The IELTS for UKVI version (required for UK Student Route visa applications at many institutions) typically costs 10-15% more than standard IELTS because it must be conducted at a UKVI-approved centre with additional security protocols.
| Country | Approx. IELTS for UKVI Fee |
|---|---|
| India | ₹18,500 - ₹19,500 |
| UK | £195 - £210 |
| Nigeria | NGN 100,000 - 120,000 |
Retake Costs
IELTS can be retaken as often as needed, there is no retake limit. Each retake requires a full registration fee:
| Strategy | Cost |
|---|---|
| Take test once (prepared) | 1x registration fee |
| Take test twice (first attempt reveals gaps) | 2x registration fee |
| Take test three times | 3x registration fee |
The most cost-effective approach: Prepare thoroughly before booking, take one practice test to confirm readiness, then book. A single well-prepared sitting is more cost-effective than multiple under-prepared attempts.
At roughly $215-240 per sitting in the USA (or the equivalent in your local currency from the table above), three attempts cost more than 2x the fee of a single well-prepared sitting, before even counting the lost time.
Fee Waivers and Reductions
IELTS does not offer standard fee waivers. However:
- Some scholarship programmes cover IELTS fees for their applicants
- Certain institutions refund IELTS fees for enrolled students
- Early booking at some centres offers marginally lower rates for specific dates
IELTS vs Other Tests - Cost Comparison
| Test | Typical Global Fee |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | ~$215-$240 USD |
| TOEFL iBT | ~$235 USD |
| PTE Academic | ~$190-$210 USD |
| OET | ~$420-$590 USD |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | ~$180-$220 USD |
| CELPIP (Canada) | ~$280 CAD |
| Duolingo English Test | $59 USD |
PTE Academic is typically the cheapest among the major internationally accepted tests. OET is the most expensive because of its healthcare-specialist nature.
Enquiry on Results (EOR) - Challenging Your Score
If you believe your score is incorrect, you can apply for an EOR (Enquiry on Results):
| EOR Type | What It Does | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Clerical Re-check | Checks that all answers were recorded | ~$20-$30 USD |
| Re-mark (Writing) | Professional re-mark of Writing | ~$80-$100 USD |
| Re-mark (Speaking) | Professional re-mark of Speaking | ~$80-$100 USD |
EOR fees are refunded if your score changes. Writing and Speaking re-marks succeed in changing scores in approximately 10-15% of applications.
Prepare before you pay: Gabble's AI-powered IELTS practice with instant band scores costs a fraction of a test retake. Know your score is ready before spending on registration.