Instead of meeting the minimum standard of English you may choose to pre-purchase ESOL tuition in New Zealand.
You purchase this tuition from New Zealand’s Tertiary Education Commission. We will only grant you a residence visa or permit once the tuition charge has been paid.
Your IELTS score – across all four bands – determines the amount you’ll have to pay for pre-purchased ESOL tuition. If you are not able to supply an IELTS certificate, you will have to pay the maximum charge.
| Overall Band Score |
Charge To Be Paid |
ESOL Entitlement |
| 4.5 or more but less than 5 |
NZ$1,700 |
NZ$1,500 |
| 4 or more but less than 4.5 |
NZ$3,350 |
NZ$3,000 |
| 3.5 or more but less than 4 |
NZ$5,000 |
NZ$4,500 |
| Less than 3.5 |
NZ$6,650 |
NZ$6,000 |
If you purchase your ESOL tuition in New Zealand, you will have three years in which to complete the tuition. If you purchase your ESOL tuition outside New Zealand you will have three and a half years to complete it.