English language test results for residence visas

English language test results we accept for residence visa applications.

Your standard of English

You (the principal applicant), your partner, and dependent children aged 16 and over must all speak and understand English.

Most of the time we ask you to show this in your application with English language test results. But check this page, as as we can accept other forms of proof besides test results.

Who does not need English language test results

You do not need to provide test results if one of the following applies to you.

You are a citizen of Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom or the United States, and you have spent at least 5 years working or studying in those countries, or in Australia or New Zealand.
You have a qualification similar to a New Zealand level 7 bachelor's degree gained in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States, and you studied for at least 2 years in any of those countries to get that qualification.
You have a qualification gained in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom or the United States, which is comparable to a postgraduate New Zealand qualification. You must have studied for at least 1 year in any of those countries to get that qualification.

When you need to send English language test results

If you need test results for your application they must be 2 years old or less at the time you apply.

Note

If you submitted an expression of interest (EOI) for the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa on or before 13:00 on 11 November 2022 (NZDT) and you are invited to apply, you can upload English test results that are more than 2 years old. If you submitted your EOI after 13:00 on 11 November 2022 (NZDT), your test results must be less than 2 years old.

The English language test results we need are different for principal applicants and their partner or dependent child.

English language test results for principal applicants

Check the table to find out which English language test results we accept.

Test	Minimum score you need
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) — General or Academic Module	Overall score of 6.5 or more
Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)	Overall score of 79 or more
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	Overall score of 58 or more
Cambridge English B2 First (FCE)	Overall score of 176 or more
B2 First for Schools (FCE for Schools)	Overall score of 176 or more
Occupational English Test (OET) Paper or Computer Based Test	(OET) Grade B or higher in all 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. You need this score in all 4 skills because there is no overall grade for this test.

English language test results for partners and dependent children

Partners and dependent children aged 16 years and over can show they can speak and undersand English with test results. Check the table to find out which English language test results we accept.

Test	Minimum score required
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - General or Academic Module	Overall score of 5.0 or more
Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT)	Overall score of 35 or more
Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)	Overall score of 36 or more
Cambridge English B2 First (FCE)	Overall score of 154 or more
B2 First for Schools (FCE for Schools)	Overall score of 154 or more
Occupational English Test (OET) Paper or Computer Based Test	(OET) Grade C or higher in all 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. You need a score of Grade C or higher in all 4 skills as there is no overall grade for this test.

Buying English language lessons

You can buy English language lessons for your partner and dependent children aged 16 and over in your application.

You choose the option when you apply and pay for the lessons once your visa is granted. This lets your partner and dependent children improve their English after they come to New Zealand.

Note

If your partner and dependent children sat a test but did not get a high enough score, they may get a discount on the cost of lessons.

Learning English after you come to New Zealand