Non-principal applicants may choose to pre-purchase ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) training, instead of meeting the English language requirements.
You will pay for the level of course you require, depending on your current level of English. If you have been tested and have an IELTS score of 3.5 or above, this will reduce the amount you have to pay. If you have no IELTS certificate, or a score below 3.5, you have to pay the full amount.
You purchase tuition from New Zealand's Tertiary Education Commission. You must pay us for the ESOL training before we will issue you your residence visa or grant you your residence permit.
The fee includes the tuition cost and an administrative fee.
| Overall IELTS band score |
Fee |
| 4.5 or more but below 5 |
NZ$1,700 |
| 4 or more but below 4.5 |
NZ$3,350 |
| 3.5 or more but below 4 |
NZ$5,000 |
| Below 3.5 |
NZ$6,650 |
See the Ministry of Education's website for brochures on ESOL and learning English in New Zealand, in several different languages.