How much is the IELTS exam fee in Kuwait in 2026?

IDP's rules for standard IELTS are on its Kuwait reschedule and cancel page: a transfer is free 15 or more days before your Listening, Reading and Writing date, costs up to 25% of the fee within 5 to 14 days, and is not allowed within 4 days. Cancel 15 or more days ahead and you get 75% back; within 14 days the fee is not refunded. IDP notes these rules exclude IELTS for UKVI and that a centre may add local policies.

IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills follow the IELTS partners' UKVI policy at both providers: 75% back more than 14 days before, 50% within 14 days but more than two days before, 25% within two days, and nothing on or after test day. The British Council's country pages we read link only the UKVI cancellation policy, so for standard IELTS check the terms shown in your booking confirmation or Test Taker Portal before you cancel.

IDP refunds a One Skill Retake in full if you cancel 72 hours or more before the session, and nothing if you do not turn up. If a serious medical condition stops you sitting the main test, IDP says you can send a medical certificate within 5 days of the test date for a refund minus the local administrative cost. Special consideration for illness or bereavement can be requested before the test or up to two calendar days after it.

At the British Council you need a valid passport or Kuwaiti ID card, the same one on test day; candidates under 18 need written consent from a parent or guardian, and IELTS is not recommended under 16. You can book online with a bank card or at its office. NBK Shabab cardholders can register for a computer test at the NBK headquarters through a separate form. A British Council booking includes free IELTS Ready Premium (40 practice tests and lessons) and five extra Test Report Forms sent free to the institutions you apply to.

IDP says you can book online or at an IDP branch, uploading a clear colour scan of your passport and paying by credit card. IDP had four Kuwait venues with sessions on 13 October 2026.

With one price everywhere, the saving is in avoiding a second full test. One Skill Retake at KWD 67 (British Council) costs KWD 39 less than a full resit and must be taken within 60 days (One Skill Retake guide). Since IELTS for UKVI costs no more than standard IELTS here, book UKVI if there is any chance you will need it for a UK visa (IELTS for UKVI vs Academic).

PTE Academic costs USD 340 in Kuwait (PTE fee in Kuwait). Before you pay, take a free full IELTS mock test scored by BandLadder AI.