IELTS Exam Fee by Country: Costs, Payment and Refunds

The IELTS exam fee varies by country, test type, and local test centre. In India, the standard IELTS Academic and General Training tests cost INR 19,000 each, according to the official IDP IELTS India fee page checked on October 15, 2026. Additional charges may apply for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) tests, One Skill Retake, rescheduling, or requesting a remark. Before booking, check the official IELTS, IDP, or British Council website for the latest price and refund conditions in your location.

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IELTS Fee in India

IDP IELTS India sets the official IELTS exam fees for those who register via the test center network. The regular IELTS Fee for Academic and General Training is ₹19,000, while the published base fee remains the same in all test cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chandigarh. The fee is inclusive of taxes, as stated by IDP India.

However, test availability and delivery formats might differ depending on locations. IELTS exams are moving towards discontinuing paper-based tests from 2026, but some test centers may have the option of Writing on Paper. Candidates can find out about test format, fee, and result turn-around time by visiting the official booking page.

Official IELTS Exam Fee Structure in India

IELTS Test Type	Official Fee (INR)	Primary Purpose
IELTS Academic on Computer	₹19,000	Undergraduate and postgraduate admissions; professional registration
IELTS General Training on Computer	₹19,000	Eligible migration, employment, and training applications
IELTS Writing on Paper (where available)	₹19,000	Candidates who prefer handwriting the Writing component
IELTS for UKVI on Computer	₹19,250	Eligible UK visa and immigration applications
IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1)	₹18,000	Certain UK family visa, settlement, and citizenship routes
IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)	₹12,650	Retaking one eligible test component

Source: Official IDP IELTS India fee page. Fees checked on October 15, 2026. Confirm the latest prices and test availability when booking.

When applying for a visa to the UK, you need to check whether he/she is required to take IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills instead of the regular IELTS. This is because such examinations serve certain immigration needs and thus have different registration requirements and costs associated with them.

Selecting the correct IELTS test version before booking can help you avoid unnecessary registration costs.

Understanding the Cost of IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) in India

The IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) facility enables eligible test takers to retake only one part of the test: the Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking without having to take the entire IELTS exam again. Based on IDP IELTS India, the cost of the OSR is ₹12,650 as against ₹19,000 for the regular IELTS Academic/General Training Test.

This means a single retake costs approximately 66.6% of the standard test fee. Although OSR can be less expensive than repeating the entire exam, it remains a significant additional expense.

Before booking, candidates are advised to go through the following eligibility criteria:

• Original test criterion: Candidates should have appeared for an eligible IELTS computer-delivered test in a participating test centre.
• Time limit for retake: The One Skill Retake should be taken within 60 days of the original test.
• One skill per retake: Candidates should take only one skill test per original test sitting.
• Acceptance by institutions: Different institutions like universities, immigration bodies, employers, or professional regulatory bodies can have different score criteria. Before paying, it should be confirmed if the institution accepting your score accepts IELTS One Skill Retake.

IELTS Fee in Other Countries: Global Price Comparison

The IELTS exam fee varies by country, test centre, and test type. Fees might be a result of operational costs, taxes, and pricing policies of the testing organization. Therefore, candidates need to compare the official registration fees in their respective currencies instead of considering one global average.

The following table shows the fees mentioned on the official website pages of IDP IELTS and the British Council.

Country	Test Type	Official Fee (Local Currency)	Official Source
India	IELTS Academic / General Training	₹19,000 INR	IDP IELTS India
Australia	IELTS Academic / General Training	AUD 490 at IDP IELTS Perth (centres may differ; checked 26 October 2026)	IDP IELTS Australia
United Kingdom	IELTS Academic / General Training	Check the British Council UK booking page for the current fee	British Council UK
United Kingdom	IELTS for UKVI Academic / General Training	GBP 257 for General Training on computer at British Council London Central (other UK centres may differ; checked 26 October 2026)	British Council UK
United Arab Emirates	IELTS Academic / General Training on computer	AED 1,590 at IDP IELTS Abu Dhabi (other UAE centres may differ; checked 26 October 2026)	IDP IELTS UAE
Vietnam	IELTS Academic / General Training on computer	VND 4,664,000 (includes 8% VAT, listed as valid until 31 December 2026; checked 26 October 2026)	IDP IELTS Vietnam

Note: Fees are shown in local currency from the pages named in each row, with check dates where given. Prices may vary by test centre, test format, and booking date. Check the relevant booking page for the final payable amount before registering.

Regional Price Differences and Tax Considerations

The standard IELTS exam fee pays for the administration of the test you have registered for, the testing of your four skills, and the preparation of your first Test Report Form (TRF), based on the format of the test and local policies. Other services, like requesting for a remark, rescheduling the test, or obtaining other TRFs, might cost extra.

The costs and conditions will be different in each country and depending on the organization that provides the tests. It is important to know what is included in the fees and what has additional costs.

What Does the Standard IELTS Registration Fee Include?

The typical IELTS registration process involves the following:

• One test booking: A booked spot for your chosen IELTS test at the selected center and time slot.
• Four skills assessment: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
• First score issuance: One Test Report Form (TRF) or electronic Test Report Form (eTRF), as applicable to your test results.
• Delivery of the test: The necessary process of administering and marking your test according to IELTS standards.

IELTS test takers may additionally send their results to accredited organizations via the official IELTS Results Service. They can send up to five organizations paper TRFs free of charge, except postage. Electronic score delivery may be available to those organizations accepting it, depending on the relevant service provider.

The registration fee does not automatically cover every subsequent administrative request. Additional charges may apply for rescheduling, an Enquiry on Results (EOR), extra paper TRFs, international courier delivery, or IELTS One Skill Retake.

Enquiry on Results (EOR): IELTS Remark Fee

If you think that your IELTS score does not correctly measure your ability, then you have the opportunity to ask for an Enquiry on Results (EOR), which is sometimes called a remark. You may apply for the remark either to the full test or some sections of it according to the conditions.

Writing and Speaking tests are marked by the examiners, so a remark can influence your initial band score. The Listening and Reading tests can be part of an EOR request too.

How Much Does an IELTS Remark Cost in India?

According to the official IDP IELTS India EOR page, the fees are as follows:

IELTS Test Type	EOR Fee (INR)
IELTS on Computer	₹14,250
IELTS on Paper	₹14,250
IELTS for UKVI on Computer	₹14,400
IELTS for UKVI on Paper	₹14,400
IELTS Life Skills	₹13,500

Additional Test Report Forms (ATRF)

Candidates may need to send official IELTS scores to several universities, employers, immigration authorities, or professional organisations. IDP India offers an electronic score-reporting service for this purpose.

The applicable charges are:

Additional Score Reporting Service	Fee in India
First five electronic ATRFs	Free
Each additional electronic ATRF beyond the first five	₹350 per institution

IDP India permits candidates to ask for e-Score Reports up to a maximum of five institutes in one day. If you require sending the scores to more institutes, you can access your candidate account after 24 hours.

IELTS Test-Date Transfer and Rescheduling Fees

Candidates might have to reschedule their exam date on account of work responsibilities, sickness, travel plans, or unforeseen personal reasons. Test date changes at IDP India are allowed according to the requirements of IDP India.

The published transfer fees are:

IELTS Test Type	Transfer Fee (INR)
IELTS on Computer	₹4,750
IELTS on Paper	₹4,750
IELTS for UKVI	₹4,850
IELTS Life Skills	₹4,500
IELTS One Skill Retake	₹3,200

The deadlines and fees for rescheduling or cancelling an IELTS test depend on the test type and the notice period. IDP India charges a transfer fee for each test type (see the table above). Its cancellation policy for IELTS on Computer and Writing on Paper says you can cancel if the test is at least 9 days away; within 9 days, 25% of the fee is kept and the rest is refunded in 7 to 10 working days, with supporting documents subject to approval. IELTS for UKVI and IELTS Life Skills use a different scale (75% refund more than 14 days before, 50% from 14 to 2 days, 25% within 2 days, none on or after the test day), and One Skill Retake has its own rule. Check IDP India’s page for the current policy before you cancel.

To minimise the risk of losing your registration fee:

• Submit transfer or cancellation requests as early as possible.
• Check the policy for your specific test type.
• Confirm whether an administrative fee or cancellation deduction applies.
• Provide supporting documents if you are requesting an exception because of medical or other exceptional circumstances.

How to Pay and How IELTS Refunds Work

Applicants need to settle the exam fee for the IELTS test by using a certified IELTS reservation portal or a certified test center. The modes of payment that can be used depend on the nation and the specific test provider, and some common methods are using credit/debit cards, online banking, etc.

You need to ensure that the mode of payment is used after knowing all the details of the test, such as its type, date, venue, and total cost.

Approved IELTS Payment Methods

IELTS test providers offer different payment methods depending on local banking infrastructure and booking arrangements. Common options include:

• Credit and debit cards: Pay online through the official booking portal using an accepted card.
• Online banking: Complete payment through a supported banking service where available.
• Digital wallets and local payment services: Some providers accept country-specific options, such as mobile payment apps or QR payments.
• Bank deposits or demand drafts: Certain markets may offer offline payment methods through designated banks, subject to the provider’s instructions.

Not all payment options are available in all countries. Please follow the payment instructions that appear in the booking website and check the identity of the receiver before making a transfer. Do not pay anyone unauthorized that claims he will make an official booking for you.

Approved IELTS payment methods, including credit and debit cards, online banking, digital wallets, and bank deposits, depending on the country and test provider.

IELTS Cancellation and Refund Policies

Can you get an IELTS fee refund if you cancel your test? In some circumstances, yes. However, the amount refunded depends on the test provider’s policy, the test type, and how far in advance you submit your cancellation request.

Cancellation circumstance	What to expect
Cancellation well before the test date	A full or partial refund may be available, subject to the applicable administrative deduction.
Cancellation close to the test date	The refund may be reduced or unavailable under the provider’s policy.
Cancellation on the test day or failure to attend	Refunds are generally restricted, except where an approved exception applies.
Cancellation due to exceptional circumstances	A refund or test-date transfer may be considered if the candidate meets the relevant requirements and provides supporting evidence.
Request to change the test date	A transfer fee, deadline, or other booking condition may apply.

How to Request an IELTS Refund

If you need to cancel your IELTS booking, follow the procedure specified by your test provider:

• Sign in to your candidate account or contact the official test centre.
• Check the cancellation deadline and applicable refund conditions.
• Submit the required cancellation or refund request.
• Attach supporting documents if you are claiming exceptional circumstances.
• Keep your confirmation and any correspondence until the request has been resolved.

IELTS vs PTE vs DET Cost

The cost of taking an English proficiency exam is not limited to only the registration fee when making your budget. Candidates should think about score-reporting charges, rescheduling costs, rescore costs, how long it takes to receive results, and whether you will need to retake the test.

The table below provides a comparative cost analysis of IELTS, PTE Academic, and Duolingo English Test (DET). The cost varies from location to location, and below is a table using India as the basis of our reference market. Please refer to the website of the particular test for more information on their rates outside of India.

Evaluation Parameter	IELTS Academic / General Training	PTE Academic	Duolingo English Test (DET)
Registration fee in India	₹19,000 INR	Check Pearson’s official booking page for the current local price	Check the Duolingo English Test website for the current price
Registration fee in Australia	Around AU$490 for standard Academic or General Training; local fees may vary	Check Pearson’s official booking page for the current local price	Subject to the provider’s current pricing and payment terms
Score sending	Up to five institutions may be included; additional reports may incur charges depending on the provider and location	Free score sharing with an unlimited number of institutions through myPTE	Free score sharing with an unlimited number of institutions
Typical result turnaround	IELTS on computer: 1-5 days	Typically within 2 days	Typically within 2 days
Scoring method	Listening and Reading are scored electronically; Writing and Speaking are assessed by trained examiners	Computer-based scoring powered by AI and human expertise	Computer-based scoring using automated assessment technology
Rescore or recheck	An Enquiry on Results (EOR) is available for a fee. In India, the fee for IELTS on Computer is listed at ₹14,250; charges vary by test type and location	A paid rescore may be available under Pearson’s eligibility rules; confirm the current fee on Pearson’s site before applying	No standard rescore service equivalent to IELTS EOR or PTE rescore; a retake may be necessary if you need a new result
Study and migration acceptance	Widely accepted by universities and immigration authorities, subject to the specific test, score and application requirements	Widely accepted by universities and approved for certain visa and migration pathways; requirements depend on the country and visa	Accepted by many universities and educational institutions, but generally not a substitute for IELTS or PTE for immigration applications that require an approved test

Which English Test Offers the Best Value?

• IELTS: A choice for those who want to take a well-known test for university application or immigration purposes. The additional cost of your EOR request as well as the extra cost of score reporting may be added up to your expenses.
• PTE Academic: Can be considered if you like taking the computerized version of the test, faster results, and free score reporting to multiple universities. Rescoring service will increase your expenses if you are not satisfied with your test result.
• Duolingo English Test: Is usually the least expensive option at first, but its worth is in question if your future university does not accept it and you need some other officially approved test for your visa/immigration process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Has the IELTS exam fee increased recently?

IELTS fees can change over time and vary by country, test type, and test centre. In India, the standard IELTS Academic and General Training fee is currently ₹19,000, while IELTS for UKVI costs ₹19,250. Check the official IELTS booking website for the latest price before registering.

What happens if my IELTS score increases after an Enquiry on Results (EOR)?

If an official Enquiry on Results (EOR) review changes your result to a higher band score, you will receive a revised Test Report Form (TRF) and a refund of the EOR fee. If your score remains unchanged, the fee is generally not refunded. The EOR fee and application procedure vary by country and test type.

Are taxes included in the published IELTS fee?

The tax depends upon the country where you will be taking the test and the price which is quoted on the local test provider’s website. In some cases, the prices which are quoted may already include the tax component in the price, whereas other marketplaces may have the tax separately mentioned.

Related practice resources

• How Many Times Is the IELTS Exam Conducted in a Year?
• Is IELTS Required for Canada? Study, Work, PR and Visas
• Band 6 in IELTS: Which Country Accept It in 2026

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