BF2 Minimum standards of English

1. Unless instructions specify otherwise, principal applicants who lodge applications under any business immigration category, meet the minimum standard of English if:
   1. they provide acceptable English language test results, as set out at BF2.20 (no more than 2 years old at the time the application is lodged) or
   2. they provide evidence that they have an English-speaking background (see BF2.1) which is accepted by a business immigration specialist as meeting the minimum standard of English; or
   3. they provide other evidence which satisfies a business immigration specialist that, taking account of that evidence and all the circumstances of the application, the person meets the minimum standard of English (see BF2.5).
2. In any case under (a) (ii) or (iii), a business immigration specialist may require an applicant to provide an English language test result in terms of paragraph (a)(i). In such cases, the English language test result will be used to determine whether the applicant meets the minimum standard of English.

Note: The tests recognised by Immigration New Zealand as set out at BF2.20 provide an assessment of ability in English, including performance in listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Effective 21/11/2016