IELTS fees in the USA by test
In the United States IELTS is overseen by IELTS USA, a nonprofit (IELTS Inc.) that runs test delivery across the country (about IELTS USA). Tests are held at authorised centres such as ELS, Oxford International and BITTS, and you book through the IELTS USA registration system linked from each centre's page. The fees below are copied from the 27 US centre pages on ielts.org; every page adds that prices may be subject to country or local tax.
| Test | Fee | Where |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic or General Training on computer | USD 325 | 22 of the 24 centres that show a fee |
| IELTS Academic or General Training on computer | USD 330 | ELS Cleveland and ELS Nashville |
| IELTS on computer with Writing on Paper | USD 325 (same as the standard test) | 8 centres, including Manhattan, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and Seattle |
| IELTS for UKVI Academic or General Training on computer | USD 340 | Inlingua Washington DC (Arlington, Virginia) only |
| IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1 or B1 | USD 200 | Inlingua Washington DC (Arlington, Virginia) only |
What else to know about IELTS formats and prices in the US
Three centres (Oxford International Austin and the IELTS USA venues in Davenport, Iowa, and Kansas City, Missouri) listed Academic and General Training on computer but showed no fee on 10 October 2026, so check the price at booking. IELTS on paper is offered in the US only to some test takers who need access arrangements; IELTS USA says computer results usually arrive in as little as one day and paper results within 13 days.
None of the US centre pages lists IELTS One Skill Retake. ielts.org says availability varies by centre (One Skill Retake), so ask your centre before you rely on it. Choosing Writing on Paper does not cost more in the US, unlike in many other countries (Manhattan centre page).
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IELTS USA's own terms and conditions apply, and they differ slightly from the global ones. Requests to transfer or cancel must be emailed to the test centre where you registered; requests by phone are not accepted. For IELTS on computer, a transfer is free 15 or more days before your Listening, Reading and Writing date and costs up to 25% of the fee within 5 to 14 days; within 4 days it counts as a cancellation. Cancel 15 or more days ahead and 75% is refunded; within 14 days nothing is.
IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills refund 75% more than 14 days before the test, 50% within 14 days but more than two days before, 25% within two days, and nothing on or after test day; one transfer is allowed more than 14 days ahead, for up to 25% of the fee. Paper tests (for access arrangements) work on a five-week cut-off. Exceptional-circumstance cases for UKVI must reach the centre within five working days of the test date.
| When you ask | IELTS on computer | IELTS for UKVI and Life Skills |
|---|---|---|
| 15 or more days before | Transfer free; cancel and get 75% back | Cancel: 75% refund. Transfer once, within 3 months, fee up to 25% |
| 5 to 14 days before | Transfer for up to 25% of the fee; cancel: no refund | Cancel: 50% refund (if more than 2 days before); no transfer |
| Within 4 days (UKVI: within 2 days) | No transfer (treated as a cancellation); no refund | Cancel: 25% refund |
| Test day or after | No refund | No refund |
Which IELTS to book in the US, and how to spend less
Most US test takers are students, nurses and residents moving on to another country. VisaScreen (TruMerit) accepts Academic IELTS from foreign-educated nurses but does not accept at-home versions of any English test; scores are in IELTS for nurses in the USA. For Canadian immigration IRCC takes IELTS General Training (Express Entry guide); for a UK visa you need IELTS for UKVI, which only Arlington offers (UKVI vs Academic); for Australia see skilled visas 189, 190 and 491.
PTE Academic costs USD 275 in the US, USD 50 less than IELTS, and PTE Core (for Canada) is the same price (PTE fee in the USA). Before paying USD 325, take a free full IELTS mock test scored by BandLadder AI and check your likely band with the band score calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the IELTS exam in the USA in 2026?+
USD 325 for IELTS Academic or General Training on computer at most US centres on 10 October 2026, and USD 330 at ELS Cleveland and ELS Nashville. Prices may be subject to local tax.
Where can I take IELTS for UKVI in the USA?+
Only at Inlingua Washington DC, which is in Arlington, Virginia. IELTS USA says it is the only UKVI testing in the US. The fee is USD 340, and Life Skills A1 or B1 costs USD 200.
Is the IELTS fee refundable in the USA?+
Partly. For IELTS on computer, cancel 15 or more days before the test and 75% is refunded; within 14 days there is no refund. Requests must be emailed to your test centre.
Does IELTS cost more with Writing on Paper in the US?+
No. The eight US centres that offer Writing on Paper list it at the same USD 325 as the standard computer test.
Is IELTS cheaper than PTE in the USA?+
No. PTE Academic costs USD 275 in the US, USD 50 less than IELTS at most centres, and PTE Academic UKVI (USD 275) is USD 65 less than IELTS for UKVI.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS test centres in the USA
- PTE exam fee in the USA
- IELTS for nurses in the USA (VisaScreen)
- IELTS for Canada Express Entry
- IELTS for the USA: which test for studying abroad
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 874 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 10 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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