English language requirements for skilled residence visas

Meeting our English language requirements for skilled residence visas

When applying for a visa on a skilled residence pathway, you can meet our English language requirements in a variety of ways.

For principal applicants

You can meet our English language requirements through:

• your citizenship, where you studied and the qualifications you gained
• English language tests.

For partners and dependent children

Your partner, and dependent children aged 16 or older, can meet our English language requirements through:

• their citizenship, where they studied and the qualifications gained
• English language tests
• buying English language lessons — this lets them improve their English after they come to New Zealand.

Learning English after you come to New Zealand

English ability from citizenship, working and studying

There are 3 scenarios where your citizenship, work and study gives us confidence that you or your family members' English language ability is at the level we require.

Scenario 1

You are a citizen of 1 of these countries:

• Canada
• Ireland
• United Kingdom
• United States.

and you have spent at least 5 years working or studying in person in 1 of those countries, or in Australia or New Zealand.

Scenario 2

You have a qualification that is comparable with a New Zealand level 7 bachelor's degree gained in:

• Australia
• Canada
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• United States.

and you studied for at least 2 years in any of these countries while being physically located there to get that qualification.

Scenario 3

You have a qualification that is comparable with a New Zealand postgraduate qualification at level 8 or above gained in:

• Australia
• Canada
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• United States.

and you studied for at least 1 year in any of these countries while being physically located there to get that qualification.

How to provide evidence

We can see evidence of your citizenship through the passport details you supply. You do not need to provide any more evidence of citizenship or where you have lived, unless we specifically ask for it.

For evidence of your qualifications and where you studied, we need a copy of your qualification certificate and academic transcript.

You may need to get your overseas qualifications assessed against the New Zealand Credentials and Qualifications Framework:

Check if you need to apply for an International Qualification Assessment

English ability by language tests

Another way to show your English language ability is through getting an acceptable result in an English language test.

English language test results required

We need a higher language test result for the principal applicant. We accept a lower test result for partners and dependent children aged 16 or older.

Your result must be no more than 2 years old at the time you apply and must be obtained by sitting the test in person at a test centre. Tests taken remotely outside of a test centre, such as ‘at home’ tests are not acceptable.

IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR)

In 2023 the International English Language Test System (IELTS) provider introduced a One Skill Retake option for both their Academic and General Training tests. The IELTS One Skill Retake must be completed within 60 days of the original test date.

Cambridge language assessments

The Cambridge English: First (FCE) is now called B2 First.

The Cambridge English: First for Schools (FCE) is now called B2 First for Schools.

Exception — when test results can be older than 2 years old

If you submitted an expression of interest 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), you must meet the general requirement that test results must be no more than 2 years old.

English ability through English language lessons

For your partner and dependent children

If your partner and dependent children aged 16 or older do not get the minimum test score we require, you can buy English language lessons for them instead.

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

A discount is available for the lessons, dependent on the test scores.

Learning English after you come to New Zealand

For principal applicants

Principal applicants for skilled residence visas cannot use the English lesson option as a way to meet our English language requirements.

Other visa types and their English language requirements

For visas other than skilled residence visas, the level of English we require is lower. The English language test results required are lower and an English-speaking background can be used as part of showing your English language ability.

English-speaking background

English language test results we accept

Your visa requirements state whether or not you need to meet any minimum requirements for English. Some visas types have no English language requirements.