Welcome to the February 2026 edition of our IELTS news update. This month has been one of the most eventful in recent memory for the English language testing world, with the launch of a redesigned TOEFL raising immediate questions about acceptance and score interpretation, and reports emerging that its owner ETS may be seeking to sell the test entirely.
Amid this turbulence, IELTS continues to offer candidates exactly what they need most: a globally recognised, stable, and trusted qualification accepted by over 12,000 institutions worldwide. On the immigration front, major changes are now in force in the UK, Australia, and Canada that directly affect candidates planning to study, work, or settle abroad — all covered in full below.
IELTS Developments
IDP Returns to China — Competition Comes to the World’s Largest IELTS Market
After a brief suspension caused by regulatory hurdles, IDP Education has re-launched IELTS test delivery in China in early 2026. Academic tests are currently available across five centres in the Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, with registrations confirmed for dates running through February. This marks a significant moment for China’s test-taking community: for decades, the British Council was the sole provider of IELTS in the country, meaning candidates had no alternative if they found seat availability tight or service levels unsatisfactory.
IDP’s return is good news for Chinese test-takers. The new service offers fully computer-delivered testing with same-day completion of all components, direct registration on IDP’s own platform (bypassing the usual third-party gateway), and — crucially — the option to reschedule once at no charge. Both providers charge the same fee of approximately 2,170 RMB. IDP has signalled plans to expand its centre network across more provinces throughout the year. IELTS remains the dominant English language test in China, and this new competitive dynamic is expected to benefit candidates through improved availability and service quality.
IELTS Partners Publish Independent Research on New TOEFL’s Academic Validity
The IELTS Partners — British Council, IDP, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment — have published a peer-reviewed research report examining whether the newly launched TOEFL iBT measures academic English in a way that is comparable to its predecessor and to IELTS Academic. The report is significant for universities, visa authorities, and candidates alike.
The findings raise serious questions about score interpretation for the new TOEFL. The researchers found that the revised test represents a substantial construct shift — it is measuring language skills differently enough from previous versions that existing score comparison tables between TOEFL and IELTS can no longer be considered reliable. Specific concerns include shorter reading passages that may not adequately test the ability to process complex academic texts, a simplified writing task that is unlikely to reflect the level of planning and audience awareness expected in university study, and a narrower range of task types that could increase susceptibility to test preparation coaching. The report urges institutions not to apply legacy concordance tables when setting new TOEFL score thresholds.
IELTS Academic’s design and its research base have not changed. Universities and visa authorities that accept IELTS can continue to apply established score requirements with full confidence in what those scores represent.
Paper-Based IELTS Discontinued in Libya
Libya has joined a growing list of countries where paper-based IELTS testing is no longer available. Computer-delivered testing remains the only option for candidates in that country. The list of markets that have transitioned fully to computer delivery now includes Bangladesh, Cambodia, Bahrain, Brunei, Iran, Jordan, South Korea, Libya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. This is part of the broader global shift towards computer-delivered testing, which also enables features such as the One Skill Retake option.
English Language Testing Landscape
IELTS Remains the Stable Choice as TOEFL Faces Acceptance Uncertainty
January 2026 saw the launch of a substantially redesigned TOEFL iBT, featuring a shorter test duration, a new 1–6 scoring scale, and new task types. While ETS has described these changes as improvements, the relaunch has created immediate complications for candidates. Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that results from the new version will not automatically be accepted for visa purposes — candidates must specifically select a separate ‘TOEFL iBT Australia’ pathway at registration, which uses the previous test format pending government review of the new version. A number of UK universities have also yet to publish updated score thresholds for the new TOEFL, leaving candidates uncertain about whether their results will meet admissions requirements.
IELTS candidates face none of these complications. IELTS Academic and IELTS for UKVI continue to be recognised by all major institutions and immigration authorities in the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and beyond — with no registration pathway changes required for any destination country. For candidates who want certainty that their test result will be accepted, IELTS remains the clear and uncomplicated choice.
TOEFL’s Future Ownership in Question — IELTS Offers Long-Term Stability
In late January 2026, the Wall Street Journal reported that ETS — owner of the TOEFL — has been exploring the sale of the test to private investors, with an asking price of approximately USD 500 million. The potential transaction reflects years of declining TOEFL volume as the test has faced growing competition and reduced international student flows to the United States.
For candidates choosing which test to sit, IELTS’s ownership structure offers a sharp contrast. IELTS is jointly owned and operated by three long-established educational organisations — the British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment — with an equal, committed partnership and no prospect of a private equity sale. That stability matters: it means the institutions, visa authorities, and employers who accept IELTS today will continue to accept it under the same framework tomorrow.
IELTS Leads on Market Reach as Rivals Face Challenges
Recent data and industry developments continue to reinforce IELTS’s position as the world’s most widely accepted English language test. A US-focused survey published by Duolingo showed that even in the American market — where IELTS has traditionally been less dominant — 31% of international students used IELTS, compared with just 3% for PTE Academic. In the UK, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand markets, where the majority of IELTS test-takers are focused, IELTS’s lead is far more pronounced.
PTE Academic’s owner Pearson confirmed flat sales for the most recent full year, a result that follows a significant 2025 cheating scandal in which widespread fraudulent results went undetected across thousands of test sessions. Pearson has since paid regulatory penalties and introduced new security measures. IELTS, by contrast, is accepted at over 12,000 organisations globally and continues to be the test of choice for candidates seeking the broadest possible recognition across all major English-speaking destinations.
IELTS for UKVI Well Positioned as UK Visa Test Landscape Evolves
The UK Home Office has been consulting on a proposed new Home Office English Language Test (HOELT) — a fully remote online test that could eventually replace the current suite of Secure English Language Tests used for visa applications. The consultation attracted scrutiny from test providers concerned about the security implications of an online-only model, and the tender closed in February 2026 with no award yet announced.
In the meantime, IELTS for UKVI remains a fully approved and widely available option for all UK visa and immigration purposes. It is offered in both in-person test centre and online proctored formats, giving candidates flexibility without compromising on the security standards that the Home Office requires. Regardless of how the HOELT process unfolds, candidates preparing for UK visa applications can be confident that IELTS for UKVI meets all current requirements.
International Migration News for IELTS Candidates
United Kingdom
Higher English Language Bar Now in Force for Work Visas
A significant change that took effect on 8 January 2026 is now in full operation: applicants for the Skilled Worker, Scale-Up, and High Potential Individual visas must now demonstrate English proficiency at CEFR B2 level — upper-intermediate, equivalent to a foreign-language A-level standard. This is a step up from the previous B1 (intermediate) requirement. The change affects all new applicants; those already holding permission under these routes can extend without needing to meet the higher standard.
For IELTS for UKVI, a B2 level broadly corresponds to an overall band score of around 5.5–6.0 (depending on the specific visa category requirements). Candidates who were preparing to meet B1 requirements will need to allow additional preparation time and may need to re-sit to achieve higher scores. Graduate visa holders planning to switch to the Skilled Worker route are particularly affected if they originally qualified under the lower threshold.
IELTS for UKVI is one of only a small number of approved Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) accepted by the UK Home Office. Meeting the new B2 requirement through an IELTS for UKVI test ensures full compliance with immigration rules.
ETA Enforcement Begins — Visitors from 85+ Countries Now Require Pre-Travel Approval
From 25 February 2026, the UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) became mandatory for visitors from more than 85 visa-exempt countries, including all EU and EEA member states, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Airlines are now required to verify ETA approval before boarding. The ETA costs £16, remains valid for two years, and must be linked to a specific passport — meaning it will need to be renewed following any passport renewal.
This is not a new English language requirement, but it is relevant for IELTS candidates travelling to the UK for test purposes or to take up study or work positions: if arriving from an ETA-required country, pre-travel digital authorisation must now be secured.
Settlement Period Extension Under Consultation
The UK government’s proposed reform to extend the qualifying period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five years to ten years for most sponsored work routes closed for public consultation on 12 February 2026. Implementation is planned for April 2026, subject to the consultation outcome. The proposed ‘earned settlement’ model would introduce a points-based assessment covering earnings, immigration compliance history, and personal circumstances — with the possibility of earlier settlement for high earners in key public sector roles, or extended periods for those on lower incomes.
For IELTS candidates on a long-term pathway to UK settlement, this is an important development to monitor. Anyone approaching their five-year qualifying period is strongly advised to consider applying for ILR ahead of the April implementation date if eligible.
Australia
Tighter Student Visa Rules Take Effect — Higher Fees and New ‘Genuine Student’ Test
A major package of student visa reforms commenced on 2 February 2026, introducing some of the most significant changes to Australia’s international student visa system in years. The headline changes include a doubling of the Student Visa (Subclass 500) application fee to AUD 2,000, the introduction of a new Genuine Student (GS) test replacing the previous Genuine Temporary Entrant statement, and the reclassification of India to the highest documentary evidence tier. Applicants from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan are now assessed at Evidence Level 3, requiring more comprehensive supporting documentation.
Under the new Ministerial Direction 115, universities and colleges that have exceeded their approved enrolment allocation now face slower visa processing times — so choosing the right institution has become more strategically important for applicants. Student visa holders can also no longer switch to a student visa from within Australia; new applications must now be lodged offshore.
Australia has also expanded its list of accepted English language tests to nine approved tests. IELTS Academic continues to be the primary and most widely recognised option for both student visa applications and university admissions across the country.
Australia Raises 2026 International Student Cap
Australia has increased its 2026 international student enrolment allocation to 295,000 places — a rise of approximately 9% from the 2025 figure of 270,000. The government has prioritised expansion from Southeast Asia as part of a long-term strategy to deepen regional ties, with additional places specifically reserved for applicants from that region. Universities seeking allocation increases are required to demonstrate stronger engagement with Southeast Asian students and to show progress on student accommodation capacity.
Canada
Express Entry Overhaul — Five New Priority Categories Announced
On 18 February 2026, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab announced a significant overhaul of Canada’s Express Entry category-based selection system for 2026. Five new priority categories have been introduced: medical doctors with Canadian work experience, researchers and senior managers with Canadian work experience, transport sector professionals (including pilots and aircraft mechanics), STEM specialists, and skilled military recruits with a Canadian Armed Forces job offer.
Existing categories — French-language proficiency, healthcare and social services, trades, and education occupations — continue. The agriculture and agri-food category has been retired. Importantly, the minimum work experience requirement for all renewed categories has increased from six months to one year within the previous three years.
For prospective Canadian immigrants, English (or French) language proficiency tested through an approved provider remains a fundamental eligibility requirement for all Express Entry programs. IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic are both accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. With the new categories placing a premium on Canadian work experience, internationally trained workers on temporary permits in priority sectors — particularly healthcare, STEM, and transport — may find improved pathways to permanent residence in 2026.
For IELTS candidates: Canada’s Express Entry changes in February 2026 expand permanent residence opportunities in targeted high-demand sectors. If your occupation or experience aligns with any of the new or renewed categories, this is an excellent moment to assess your eligibility and ensure your IELTS score meets the required language threshold.
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