How much is the IELTS exam fee in South Africa?

IDP and the British Council use the same deadlines for standard IELTS in South Africa (IDP policy, British Council policy). Illness, bereavement and other exceptional circumstances can be raised with the test centre before the test or up to two calendar days after it, never after results are out; refunds can take 4 to 6 weeks.

IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills follow a separate policy: cancel more than 14 days ahead and you get 75% back, within 14 days but more than two days ahead 50%, within two days 25%, and nothing on or after test day. A UKVI booking can be transferred once, more than 14 days ahead, to a date within three months, and the centre may charge up to 25%. See our IELTS cancel, reschedule and refund guide.

IDP asks you to upload a clear colour scan or photo of your passport and pay by credit card online, or register at a local IDP branch (IDP). The British Council takes a passport or national ID card; online payments confirm instantly and bank payments within two working days (British Council).

For a UK Skilled Worker or Health and Care Worker visa, the British Council lists the requirement as CEFR B2: at least 5.5 in each of the four parts of IELTS for UKVI. B1 still applies to people already on those routes before 8 January 2026 who are only extending. See IELTS for the UK Skilled Worker visa. Nurses and midwives heading for the UK should book IELTS Academic at a test centre. The Nursing and Midwifery Council says it does not accept IELTS Online or One Skill Retake, because all four skills must be tested in one sitting (NMC). Our IELTS for nurses in the UK guide has the scores.