🇸🇦 IELTS in Saudi Arabia

IELTS in Saudi Arabia — fees in SAR, test cities and the scores your route needs

The British Council charges SAR 1,636 for IELTS Academic or General Training on computer in Saudi Arabia, SAR 1,744 for IELTS for UKVI and SAR 897 for IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1. It runs 17 test locations: computer tests in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, several of them daily, and paper tests in eleven cities from Tabuk to Al-Hassa.
  • Fee (British Council): SAR 1,636
  • IELTS for UKVI: SAR 1,744
  • Test locations: 17
  • Computer results: 1–5 days
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Fee (British Council)
SAR 1,636
IELTS for UKVI
SAR 1,744
Test locations
17
Computer results
1–5 days

IELTS fees in Saudi Arabia

TestFee at the British Council
IELTS Academic or General Training on computerSAR 1,636
IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General Training) on computerSAR 1,744
IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1SAR 897
The British Council no longer offers IELTS for UKVI on paper in Saudi Arabia; UKVI is computer-only. Other IELTS centres, such as the Saudi British Centre in Riyadh, set their own fees. IELTS is withdrawing paper tests worldwide from mid-2026, market by market; where a paper option is still listed, confirm it at booking.

BandLadder pricing in SAR for Saudi Arabia

BandLadder in SAR

One-time access, no automatic renewal. Free practice needs no card. Prices are shown in your currency at checkout as well.

PlanAccessPrice
Sprint Pass7 daysSAR 23.99
Quick Pass15 daysSAR 38.99
Boost30 daysSAR 69.00
Professional60 daysSAR 109.00
Professional90 daysSAR 149.00
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Where to take IELTS in Saudi Arabia

  • On computer: Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam, with daily sessions at several centres and a choice of speaking date at booking.
  • On paper: Al-Hassa, Buraydah, Dammam, Hail, Jeddah, Jubail, Madinah, Makkah, Riyadh, Tabuk and Taif.
  • Paper speaking tests can fall up to seven days before or after the written test; you are told the date a week ahead.

The band each destination needs

RouteIELTSPTE equivalent
United Kingdom: Skilled Worker, degree-level studyIELTS for UKVI 5.5 each (B2)PTE Academic UKVI 59 each
Australia: Competent English (skilled visa eligibility)IELTS 6.0 eachPTE 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 (L/R/W/S)
Australia: Proficient English (+10 points)IELTS 7.0 eachPTE 58 / 59 / 69 / 76
Canada: Express Entry CLB 7IELTS General 6.0 eachPTE Core L60 · R60 · W69 · S68

Australia's Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 each) adds 10 points and Superior (8.0 each) adds 20, achieved within three years of the visa application. Canada accepts only IELTS General Training for Express Entry, and the result must be under two years old. UK universities usually ask 6.0 to 6.5 for undergraduate and 6.5 to 7.0 for postgraduate study.

Healthcare staff in the Kingdom planning a move to the UK or Australia face a separate bar: nurse registration sets its own, higher bands.

RegistrationIELTSPTE
UK nurse registration (NMC)IELTS Academic L7 · R7 · W6.5 · S7, or OET; two sittings within 12 months may be combinedPTE not accepted by the NMC
Australia nurse registration (Ahpra), tests from 23 Apr 2026IELTS Academic 7 overall, 7 in L/R/S, 6.5 in WPTE Academic 63 overall with component minimums; OET also accepted
Score requirements change and vary by program and institution. Always confirm the current requirement with the visa authority, registration body or institution you are applying to before you set a target.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the IELTS exam fee in Saudi Arabia in 2026?+

SAR 1,636 for IELTS Academic or General Training on computer at the British Council, SAR 1,744 for IELTS for UKVI and SAR 897 for IELTS for UKVI Life Skills A1.

Where can I take IELTS in Saudi Arabia?+

The British Council has 17 locations. Computer tests run in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam; paper tests in Al-Hassa, Buraydah, Dammam, Hail, Jeddah, Jubail, Madinah, Makkah, Riyadh, Tabuk and Taif.

Can I take IELTS for UKVI on paper in Saudi Arabia?+

No. The British Council has stopped paper UKVI tests in Saudi Arabia. IELTS for UKVI is available on computer, with results in one to five days.

What IELTS band do nurses in Saudi Arabia need for the UK or Australia?+

The UK NMC asks for IELTS Academic 7 in listening, reading and speaking and 6.5 in writing. Ahpra in Australia asks for 7 overall, 7 in listening, reading and speaking, and 6.5 in writing.

Official sources

Reviewed 25 September 2026. This guide helps you plan test preparation; check the current rules for your own program.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

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