You’ll have heard the United States of America being name-dropped as a top destination for high-quality education and boosting your career—which is why exploring your future in the land of opportunity might be a key aim this year.
Whether you’re in it for the long haul by starting your higher education track or acquiring a job with an employer’s sponsorship, you must ensure that you have an accepted proficiency level in English, which you can have certified by an IELTS General Training test booking for example.
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reveals that 33.2 million foreign-born workers made up the US labour force in February 2025, which makes up 19.5 per cent of the total workforce. This number is expected to increase over time.
Planning in advance is critical for success. Here are the minimum IELTS band scores required for various U.S. visa pathways.
IELTS scores to work in the US and get PR in 2025
1. Work in the USA with a study visa
Getting an F-1 study visa and successfully graduating from a U.S. higher education institutions is often the first step toward one of the most common paths to becoming a green card holder.
An important condition for both admission procedure and an F-1 visa application is to demonstrate an English proficiency level suitable for entry into an academic program in the U.S. Taking the IELTS test can help you meet this requirement.
Minimum IELTS scores for undergraduate or postgraduate programs typically ranges from between 6.5 to 8.0, depending on your preferred university.
To give you a better idea of the IELTS minimum requirements for some of the top universities in the USA, check the ranking tables and required IELTS scores laid out below:
University | Global rank (QS World University Rankings 2025) | Global rank (THE World University Rankings 2025) | IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes) | IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes) |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 1 | 2 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
Harvard University | 4 | 3 | 7.0 | 7.5 |
California Institute of Technology | 10 | 7 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
University of Pennsylvania | 11 | =14 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 12 | 8 | 6.5 | 7.0 |
Cornell University | 16 | 20 | 7.5 | 7.0 |
University of Chicago | 21 | =14 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
Princeton University | 22 | 4 | 8.0 | 8.0 |
Yale University | 23 | 10 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
Johns Hopkins University | 32 | 16 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
Columbia University | 34 | =18 | 7.5 | 7.5 |
University of California, Los Angeles | 42 | =18 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
New York University | 43 | 33 | 7.5 | 7.0 |
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 44 | 22 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
(Source: Minimum IELTS score to study in US universities in 2025)
F-1 student visa holders will also get familiar with this benefit which may be available to international students during their time in the U.S.: Optional Practical Training (OPT), which helps you gain real-world work experience directly related to your major area of study.
The two OPT routes are: (1) Pre-completion OPT – after one full academic year, you can work part-time up to 20 hours per week during school semesters, or full-time during the holidays; and (2) Post-completion OPT – authorised to work up to 12 months after completing your academic studies.
STEM degree holders from an accredited school are also eligible to apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT.
For complete F-1 student visa application requirements, you can always get free advice from a study abroad counsellor with IDP.
2. Attain a green card in the USA with a study visa
F-1 students who want to attain permanent residency will have to switch to an employment-based Green Card.
Three Green Card options exist: (1) first-preference EB-1 (self-petitioning your extraordinary abilities); (2) second-preference EB-2; or (3) third-preference EB-3, which are both immigrant visas, employer-sponsored and have specific criteria reserved for each visa based on your qualifications or skilled work experience.
EB-2 visa applicants must have a job offer that requires an advanced degree and at least 5 years’ work experience, or have an exceptional ability in the arts, business and science. EB-3 visa applications are only eligible for skilled workers who have at least 2 years’ work experience, and professionals who hold a bachelor’s degree.
3. Work and attain a green card in the USA as a nurse
If you’re planning to work temporarily in the United States, you’ll be happy to know that there is no English language requirement or IELTS certification needed for applying to be a permanent resident. This is regardless of whether you studied at an American university or not. However, you may be asked to provide proof of English proficiency through an employer.
Based on the type of work you do, here are some of the most common visa types:
H-1B visa: This is a non-immigrant work visa from your employer to perform services in a specialty occupation for up to 3 years, which can be extended another time to 6 years maximum. This visa allows ‘dual intent’, which means you can transition to a Green Card, typically through employment. The next visa registration window likely opens in March 2026 based on past timelines.
H-1B1 treaty-based temporary work visa: This visa is specifically for Singaporean and Chilean citizens who already have a job offer in a specialty occupation from their employer.
H-3 (trainee or special education visitor): This visa allows you to come to the US as a trainee or Special Education Exchange Visitor to train in specific fields, such as the education of children with disabilities.
O (persons with extraordinary ability or achievement): This visa can be issued if you have extraordinary ability or achievement in specific fields including education, arts, business, sciences and athletics, to name a few.
P (athletes, artists, entertainers) visa: If you are an athlete, entertainer, artist or essential support personnel, this visa is for you.
Q (cultural exchange) visa: This work visa is suitable if you are looking to join an international cultural exchange program designated by the Department of Homeland Security.
As a temporary work visa holder already residing in the US, especially the H-1B visa, you may be able to apply to adjust your status from a work visa to a green card, usually with an employer’s sponsorship, to become a lawful permanent resident.
4. Work and attain a green card in the USA as a nurse
The US is one of the best places to pursue a fulfilling career in nursing thanks to the massive room for career development offered to registered nurses who are internationally educated.
Generally, a green card application for qualified international nurses has a shorter processing timeline than that of other occupations to help US institutions address a critical demand for healthcare services.
However, international registered nurses taking their career to the States will need to complete a screening program to obtain a VisaScreen certificate, which has an English language requirement.
Registered nurses will need the IELTS Academic test and achieve an overall IELTS band score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 7.0 in the Speaking section. Licensed practical or vocational nurses may opt to book either IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training test, and must score 6.0 overall and 7.0 in the Speaking section.
Once you’ve verified your prior credentials, passed the national exam and obtained a registered nurse license and work visa, you can make the switch to practice nursing in the US!
Study, work and settle in the U.S. with IELTS by IDP
Now that you have an idea of possible pathways that could lead you to work and live in USA, it’s time for the next step.
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