English language requirements for Specific Purpose Work Visa independent professionals

When you apply

You must show that you can speak and understand English when you apply for a Specific Purpose Work Visa if you are applying:

• as an independent professional, and
• to work in a role that is ANZSCO skill level 3.

Find your job's skill level

There are no English language requirements if you are applying for a Specific Purpose Work Visa:

• as an independent professional for a job that is ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2, or
• for any other purpose or event.

How to meet our English language requirements

There are 2 ways you can show us that you speak and understand English:

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

Using your citizenship, work and study to show English ability

Your citizenship, work or study experience may satisfy the English language requirements if one of the following situations applies to you. You must provide evidence when you apply showing how you meet the requirements.

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 these countries:

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

You need to have studied the qualification for at least 2 years while in one of these countries.

Level 8 or above qualification

You have a qualification that is comparable with a New Zealand qualification at level 8 or above gained in one of these countries:

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

You need to have studied the qualification for at least 1 year while in one of these countries.

How to provide evidence

We can confirm your citizenship by viewing your passport details.

For evidence of your work experience in a country, include copies of your employment agreements or tax records.

For evidence of your study in a country, include copies of your academic transcript.

For evidence of your qualifications, 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. You can choose which test to take from the list of approved English language tests.

You must sit the test in person at a test centre. Tests taken remotely outside of a test centre, such as 'at-home' tests are not acceptable.

Your result must be no more than 2 years old at the time you apply.

Approved English language tests

We accept the following English language tests:

• General or Academic module — 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.