English language requirements for skilled residence visas

You must show that you, your and any dependent children, can speak and understand English when you apply for the following skilled residence visas:

• Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
• Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
• Straight to Residence Visa
• Transport Work to Residence Visa
• Work to Residence Visa.

Find out more about the visas you are applying for:

Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa

Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa

Straight to Residence Visa

Transport Work to Residence Visa

Work to Residence Visa

How to meet our English language requirements

Principal applicant

If you are the person making the application (the principal applicant), there are 2 ways you can show us that you speak and understand English:

• through your English ability from citizenship, working and studying
• by taking an English language test.

Partner and dependent children

There are 3 ways your partner, and any dependent children aged 16 or older, can show us they speak and understand English:

• through their English ability from citizenship, working and studying
• by taking an English language test
• by paying for lessons in New Zealand.

There are no English language requirements for children younger than 16.

Using your citizenship, work and study to show English ability

Your citizenship, work or study experience may satisfy the English language requirements where at least one of the following situations apply, and evidence can be provided:

Citizenship

You are a citizen of one of the countries listed below. You must have spent at least 5 years working or studying in one of these countries, or in Australia or New Zealand.

• Canada
• Ireland
• United Kingdom
• United States.

Bachelor's degree

You have a qualification that is comparable with a New Zealand level 7 bachelor's degree gained in one of the countries listed below. You would need to have lived in one of these countries while studying for the qualification for at least 2 years.

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

Postgraduate qualification

You have a qualification that is comparable with a New Zealand postgraduate qualification at level 8 or above gained in one of the countries listed below. You would need to have lived in one of these countries while studying the qualification for at least 1 year.

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

How to provide evidence

We can confirm your citizenship by viewing your passport details. You do not need to provide any more evidence of your citizenship or where you have lived, unless we 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 an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) to show that your qualifications can be used in New Zealand:

Check if you need an International Qualification Assessment

English language tests

You can also meet the English language requirement by taking a test. A higher test result is required for the principal applicant, than for their partner or any dependent children aged 16 or older.

You will need to sit the test in person at a test centre, and your result must be no more than 2 years old at the time you apply. Tests taken remotely outside of a test centre, such as 'at home' tests are not acceptable. You can choose which test to take.

Approved English language tests

We accept the following English language tests:

• General or Academic module — International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• One Skill Retake (OSR) — International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
• B2 First — Cambridge English (B2 First)
• B2 First for Schools — Cambridge English (B2 First for Schools)
• Occupational English Test (OET) — designed for health care professionals

Your English language test results

If you choose to take an English language test, there is a minimum score you need to achieve.

About the Occupational English Test

The Occupational English Test (OET) is a paper or computer-based test. You need to reach the required score in all 4 skills because there is no overall grade for this test.

Paying for English language lessons

For principal applicants

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

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 for families of resident visa applicants

Other visa types and their English language requirements

For visas other than skilled residence visas, the English language test score we require is lower. You may be able to use an English-speaking background to help show your English language ability.

Meeting English language requirements

English language requirements

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