IELTS Score Validity 2025, Countrywide Validity, IELTS TRF

IELTS score validity is 2 years from the result date—based on research into second-language loss or attrition. During this period, you can use your IELTS score for university admissions, immigration programs, and employment opportunities in English-speaking countries such as the US, UK and Canada. The conducting bodies of IELTS have set this IELTS validity period as the duration for which the test results remain valid, considering the possibility of second-language attrition. 

Students who want to study abroad will take the IELTS test as their first step. After taking the test, test results and the Test Report Form (TRF) will be available online on the 13th day.

To learn how long the IELTS score is valid in different countries, the exceptions, whether it can be extended, and what to do once your IELTS validity has expired, read this entire blog.

IELTS Validity 2025

The IELTS validity period in 2025 is two years (24 months) from the date the results are released. The date mentioned in the TRF certificate is considered valid by universities, organisations, and migration officers. This score consists of individual scores for reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills. After this period, the scores will expire and no longer be accepted by institutions or organisations. So, you would need to retake the IELTS test to obtain a new, up-to-date score.

You must remember that your IELTS score, which represents your skills, may not be the most accurate after two years due to a gradual decline of your linguistic skills.

Why do IELTS have a validity period?

IELTS have a validity period due to the phenomenon of second language loss. Second-language loss or attrition is the decline of second-language skills, which occurs when a person uses the second language insufficiently or disuses it. For instance, if you don’t read, speak, or write in English over a period of time, there is a high possibility that your English language skills will weaken significantly. Therefore, the IELTS team recommends that IELTS test results are valid for only two years after a test has been taken, based on scientific research.

In relation to this, Schöpper-Grabe, a German researcher, quoted that, “Almost everybody who has learned a foreign language shares the experience of forgetting the acquired language skills once the period of formal instruction is over.”

To avoid this risk of second-language loss, the IELTS team urges you to retake the test if your scores are over two years old. Hence, you’re recommended to constantly update your English with new vocabulary words, meanings, grammar, and references, as the language is ever-evolving, like any other language.

Since universities and colleges from different countries prefer the latest version of IELTS scores, the team behind the IELTS exam is constantly updating the test.

Let’s look at the IELTS score validity for different countries.

IELTS Validity for Popular Countries in 2025

The IELTS result validity of 2 years is common for all countries; however, it may vary depending on the purpose for which you use your results, such as for study, work, immigration, and PR. 

IELTS validity for Canada 2025

The IELTS score validity for Canada is two years. It is the same for both normal and express entry. For migration purposes too, it is counted from the date of results. So, whether you scored 5.5 or 8.5 bands of CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) level or IELTS level, the recent posts of IELTS score stays valid with you for 2 years. 

IRCC processes your application for about 6 months. You must ensure that your IELTS result is valid during this period.

IELTS validity for Canada	2 years
IELTS Minimum Score for Canada	6.0 - 6.5
Minimum IELTS Academic Score for Express Entry	6.0
Minimum IELTS Score for Canada Student Visa	6.0 - 6.5 (undergraduate courses) and 6.5 - 7.0 (postgraduate courses)

Source: IELTS for Canada

IELTS validity for UK 2025

The validity of the IELTS score for the United Kingdom Visa and Immigration (UKVI) and the UK, in general, is two years only. You could give another test immediately if you didn’t get the required score. Whereas, if you pass the IELTS Life Skills test once, you cannot re-appear to the test for the next two years. To pick the right IELTS test, you can visit the IELTS UKVI Decision-Making available online on the IELTS website.

Remember that, to study in top-tier universities, like the University of Oxford, a minimum band score of 7.0 or 7.5 is required.

IELTS Validity for UK	2 years
IELTS Minimum Score for UK	6.0 - 6.5
Average Minimum Score for UKVI	7.0

Source: IELTS for UK

IELTS validity for Australia 2025

The IELTS validity for Australia is usually two years. In the case of skilled migration applications for Australian immigration, the IELTS scores validity is up to three years fixed by the General Skilled Migration (GSM). 

If you want an Australian visa, your English proficiency test results go to the Department of Home Affairs for approval. Moreover, the IELTS score you need primarily depends on the organisation you plan to study or work for. For instance, to pursue a medical course, at least a 7 band score is required. The minimum IELTS band score for a bachelor’s is 6, and for a master’s is approximately 6.5. 

IELTS Validity for Australia (Admissions and Student visa)	2 years
IELTS Validity for Australia (Skilled Migration Application)	3 years
IELTS Minimum Score for Australian Student Visa	6.0 (undergraduate) and 6.5 - 7.0 (postgraduate courses)

Source: IELTS for Australia

IELTS validity for the USA 2025

The IELTS score is valid for up to two years in the United States of America (USA). As IELTS is accepted by more than 3,400 institutions in the USA, including schools, associate, undergraduate, professional and law programs, try to apply to as many institutions as possible before your IELTS score expires. Many competitive educational institutions have set their minimum IELTS standards between 6.0 and 7.0.

IELTS Validity for USA	2 years
IELTS Minimum Score for USA	6 or higher (undergraduate) and 6.5 - 7.5 (graduate programs)

Source: IELTS for USA

IELTS validity for New Zealand 2025

The validity of the IELTS score is two years for New Zealand. However, the candidate must attain the minimum band scores of 6.0 and above in either the IELTS Academic or IELTS General test module and apply for a student visa or whichever is opted for.

New Zealand has eight universities, and they are among the world’s top 3%! Each university has certain IELTS requirements for UG and PG courses. Clearly, the IELTS scores for PG are higher than UG degrees, so try to attain the highest score at a safer side. In case of diploma programmes, candidates must ensure an aggregate IELTS score of at least 5.5. For undergraduate and graduate courses, it is roughly 6.5. But for technical disciplines like engineering, a minimum of 7 band score is needed.

IELTS Validity for New Zealand	2 years
IELTS Minimum Score for New Zealand	5.5 and above

Source: IELTS for New Zealand

IELTS validity for Germany 2025

The IELTS score validity period for Germany is two years. After two years, the test-taker must take the IELTS test again. If the test is taken more than once in two years, then the most recent score will be considered valid.

IELTS Validity for Germany	2 years
IELTS Minimum Score for Germany	6 - 6.5 (undergraduate or diploma) and 6.5 (postgraduate courses)

Source: IELTS for Germany

IELTS validity for Ireland 2025

The IELTS score validity for Ireland is two years after the announcement of results. In Irish universities, to study for an undergraduate degree, students must possess an overall 6.0 with no band less than 5.5. And, for a postgraduate, students must have an overall 6.5 with no band less than 6.0. In some universities, students are required to have an overall 7.0 band score. In case of long-term studies, check out the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) as they set the minimum score requirements.

IELTS Validity for Ireland	2 years
IELTS Minimum Score for Ireland	6.5 (Bachelor's degree), 7.0 (Master's or Postgraduate degree) and 4.5 (Foundation courses)

Source: IELTS for Ireland

The IELTS score validity in other countries are in the table below.

IELTS Score Validity: Country-Wise
S No	Other Countries	IELTS Score Validity
1.	France	2 years
2.	Singapore	2 years
3.	China	2 years
4.	Denmark	2 years
5.	Greece	2 years
6.	Croatia	2 years
7.	India	2 years

Do countries accept expired IELTS scores?

The answer is No. Countries do not accept expired IELTS scores due to fear of second-language attrition. So, they require recent scores to ensure applicants have the current language proficiency needed for study, work or immigration purposes.

IELTS Test Report Form (TRF)

TRF or Test Report Form is an official certificate that contains your overall band score (0–9) in reading, writing, listening and speaking. TRF is an important document as it provides an official record of your English language proficiency. You can share your TRF with universities of your choice electronically (online). Students applying for Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) or the United Kingdom Border Agency can get two copies of their Test Report Form, provided they present proof of application to CIC and UKBA to obtain these two copies. 

If your IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) certificate has recently become invalid, it is better to notify the college or university to which you applied to help prevent the potential risk of rejection.

How to Check the Validity of an IELTS Certificate?

You can check the validity of an IELTS certificate using the IELTS Results Service, which will display Test Report Forms for the maximum period according to relevant Data Protection legislation. Usually, the TRF remains valid for 0 to 2 years from the date of issue. However, certain countries accept a high validity of the TRF, which should be checked beforehand.

Who Accepts IELTS Score?

The IELTS score is accepted by around 10,000 organisations, such as professional associations, governments and academic institutions worldwide, for admission to UG and PG courses and PR (Permanent Residency) programmes. Please note that there is no minimum score required to pass the test.

Comparison of Validity between IELTS and Other Language Proficiency Tests

Let’s compare the IELTS validity with other language proficiency tests in the table below.

Tests	Validity Period
IELTS	2 years
TOEFL	2 years
PTE	2 years
Duolingo	2 years
Cambridge English Exams (C1 Advanced; C2 Proficiency)	Lifetime

Also Read:

IELTS	IELTS Exam Fees	IELTS Eligibility
IELTS Accepted Countries	IELTS Band Score	IELTS Registration

IELTS Score Validity FAQs

1. IELTS is valid for how many years?

The IDP IELTS validity of the Test Report Form (TRF) is two (2) years from the result date. After the test results, the IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) is reportable for a 2-year period without extension.

2. Is IELTS validity extended due to Covid-19 pandemic?

No. The IELTS score is valid for two years and has not been extended due to Covid-19 pandemic.

3. Is IELTS now valid for 3 years?

The IELTS is not valid for three (3) years except for migration to Australia.

4. Can we extend the validity of the IELTS TRF certificate from two to three years?

No. The IELTS TRF (Test Report Form) certificate cannot be extended from two to three years.  

5. Why are IELTS test results valid for two years?

The (International English Language Testing System) IELTS  results validity is restricted to two years to avoid out of touch with the English language. Since people and environment change, language too changes with time. To keep students and general candidates up-to-date beyond practice, the validity of IELTS scores is kept for two years only.

6. What if I lost or damaged my Test Report Form?

If your Test Report Form is lost or damaged, they cannot provide you with another copy; but they can forward a TRF to any institution or organisation on your behalf. Remember that they do not forward results to migration agents.

7. Do universities accept expired IELTS scores?

Universities across the globe do not accept expired IELTS scores. If your IELTS TRF certificate has crossed two years of validity recently, it's advisable to inform the particular college or university you applied for to avoid the risk of rejection. The university examiner will use your IELTS score for overall assessment.

8. How to check the validity of an IELTS certificate?

IELTS offers the Results Verification Service to organisations to verify the IELTS test results freely produced by the test takers. Just like GRE, it is meant for registered organisations only, where they can download the scores from the IELTS database and match the results. Test takers have no access to this service. 

9. What if I lost my IELTS Test Report Form?

If you lost your IELTS Test Report Form (TRF), you can contact the IDP IELTS or British Council immediately and get a new copy. However, your IELTS test score is valid for 2 years.

10. What if I feel my IELTS test result is wrong?

If you think your IELTS test result is wrong, you can use the ‘Enquiry on Results’ facility at your test centre within six weeks of the date of the test. If your band score range (0 to 9) changes, you are subject to get a full refund.  

11. How can I make the payment for the Enquiry on Results (EOR)?

To make the payment for Enquiry on Results (EOR), you can use it via bank transfer only. Please add the following information on the challan:

• Name and surname
• Date of the examination
• Reference number given on the registration portal

12. Does the IELTS score have a lifetime validity?

The IELTS score or result does not have a lifetime validity, but the validity of scores are country-specific.

13. Which countries accept IELTS scores?

IELTS score is accepted by Canada, Australia, the UK, the USA, Ireland, Germany and 140 countries. More than 11,000 organisations, including universities, companies, governments, private organisations and immigration agencies, verify a candidate’s IELTS score for study, work, and migration purposes.

14. Is IELTS Score Validity extended to 5 years?

No. The IELTS score validity is not extended to 5 years. The IELTS score is valid for two years globally, but in Australia, the score validity has been extended from two to three years by the Australian GSM. 

15. What is the IELTS result duration?

IELTS result duration is the time period for test takers to receive their scores after completing the IELTS exam. The IELTS result duration is 13 days for the paper-based test, while 3 to 5 days for the computer-delivered test from the test date.

16. Is IELTS score valid from the test date or the result date?

The IELTS exam score or IELTS Test Report Form (TRF) is valid from the result date, not the test date. It is valid for two years from the date of the result declaration.