Note: U.S. visa rules can change based on government decisions, legal challenges, and policy reviews. The details shared here reflect the situation at the time of publication. We encourage readers to check the latest updates on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. Department of State websites.
Is studying or working in the USA at the top of your wishlist? There is a reason the United States has held an undeniable reputation for international students and professionals for so long – and they still hold up today.
The U.S. has the most varied education systems in the world, from Ivy League schools to liberal universities and community colleges. It is home to tech giants like MAANG (Meta, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Google), well-funded research labs, and salaries in STEM fields are generally higher or even unmatched.
Visa policies in the U.S. may be volatile and subject to new changes and risks, but they don’t close all possibilities to earning a U.S. degree and career.
It also helps to know where you might need an English test for USA visas and immigration. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) does not need you to show an IELTS score when applying for work visas or a Green Card.
You will need your English test scores typically when applying for a U.S. university, professional registration with licensing bodies (e.g. nurses) or for job applications.
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 2026
1. Work in the USA with a study visa
Getting an F-1 study visa and successfully graduating from a U.S. higher education institution is one of the ways towards gaining U.S. work experience and landing a spot in the competitive job market.
Some important requirements for studying including the top universities in the USA.:
Demonstrate an English proficiency level suitable for entry into an academic program in the U.S.
Take the IELTS Academic test
Successfully get a place at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified school
Minimum IELTS scores for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes sit between 6.5 and 8.0, depending on the university and the course
Show that you can pay for your whole course (tuition and living arrangements)
Show that you plan to go home after studying there, including strong ties to your country
There are several new changes and rulings expected, which could make the process from F-1 to searching for work in the USA a bit more complicated:
Effective from 15 September 2026, ‘Duration of Status’ system no longer applies for all current and new students. It is an unspecified period of time where F-1 visa holders could remain in the U.S. as long as you stay enrolled in a full course of study.
Replaced with a fixed period of admission and Extension of Stay (EOS), as a way of creating clear, finite limits on how long F-1 students can hold their visa
Fixed admission cap for F-1 visa: based on the length of your study programme, or 4 years maximum
Who can file an EOS: if your course takes more than 4 years, you begin a new study program while in the U.S., or for post-completion OPT/STEM OPT
Reduced grace period for departures after course ends, from 60 days to 30 days
2. Build U.S. work experience with CPT and/or OPT
There are two ways of working on an F-1 student visa, and they can be often mixed up.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) lets you work during your studies, and Optional Practical Training (OPT) is for after you graduate. Both allow you to work in a job directly related to your major area of study.
The two routes explained:
Pre-completion CPT: After one full academic year, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week in internships or placements during school semesters, or full-time during the holidays.
Post-completion OPT: Up to 12 months of work after completing your academic studies; or
STEM OPT: Graduates of eligible STEM degrees from an accredited school can apply for a 24-month extension. This grants them a total of 36 months of OPT work.
Clearing up the distinction in taking up both CPT and OPT:
If you use 12 months or more of full-time CPT, the OPT route is closed for you.
Any duration of CPT completed under 12 months does not deduct from your 12-month OPT benefit.
For complete F-1 student visa application requirements, you can always get free advice from a study abroad counsellor with IDP.
3. Move to a temporary work visa
Getting a job offer after graduation is the usual path from student to employed worker. If you’re planning to work temporarily in the United States, there is no English language requirement or IELTS certification needed, whether you studied in the U.S. 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:
Latest 2026 H-1B Visa Snapshot:
H-1B visa approvals are capped at 65,000 slots annually, with an extra 20,000 slots for graduates with a U.S. master’s degree or higher.
H-1B no longer operates on random lottery but on wage-weighted selection. Higher-paid roles have a greater number of entries (up to 4 entries in the selection pool).
A new $103,000 visa fee (payable by H-1B employers) is proposed for all new H-1B visa petitions, which also affects workers already in the U.S.
This could replace the previously proposed $100,000 application fee for H-1B workers from outside the U.S., which was voided in June 2026.
H-1B visa: An employer-sponsored work visa for a specialty occupation for up to 3 years, and extendable to 6 years maximum. This visa allows ‘dual intent’, which means you can pursue a Green Card, typically through employment.
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
P (athletes, artists, entertainers) visa: For athletes, entertainers, artists or essential support personnel
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, such as on the H-1B visa, you may be able to adjust your status to green card permanent residence, usually with an employer’s sponsorship.
4. Apply for an employment-based Green Card
F-1 students and skilled temporary workers who want to attain permanent residency will have to move to an employment-based Green Card, with no English proficiency test usually required at this stage.
Three Green Card options include:
first-preference EB-1: self-petitioning your extraordinary abilities, such as for outstanding professors and researchers, or certain multinational managers and executives
second-preference EB-2: employer-sponsored, have an advanced degree, at least 5 years’ work experience; or have an exceptional ability in the arts, business and sciences
third-preference EB-3: employer-sponsored, have a bachelor’s degree, at least 2 years’ skilled work or skilled labour experience
5. Work and settle in the USA as a nurse or healthcare worker
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 and trained.
International registered nurses taking their career to the States will need to complete a screening program and hold a VisaScreen certificate, issued by TruMerit, which has an English language requirement.
Foreign registered nurses and other healthcare workers will need to take the IELTS Academic test (not IELTS General Training), with the following English minimum score requirements by HRSA:
Registered nurses: Overall IELTS band score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS Speaking
Licensed practical and vocational nurses: Overall IELTS band score of 6.0, with a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS Speaking
Occupational therapists and physical therapists: Overall IELTS band score of 6.5, with a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS Speaking
Once you’ve verified your prior credentials, passed the national competency exam (either the NCLEX-RN or TruMerit Nurse Qualifiying Exam) and obtained a registered nurse license and work visa, you can make the switch to practice nursing in the U.S.!
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.
As co-owner of the IELTS test, IDP helps students and professionals take the first step towards achieving their desired score for IELTS.
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