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 will have to pay for pre-purchased ESOL tuition. If you aren’t 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 pre-purchase your ESOL tuition, you will have five years in which to complete the tuition.