English language test results for business people and employees relocating to New Zealand
Find out how you and your family can meet our English language requirements if you are applying for a business visa or you are the employee of a business that is relocating to New Zealand.
When you apply
You must show that you can speak and understand English when you apply for the following business visas:
- Business Investor Work Visa
- Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa
- Entrepreneur Resident Visa.
Your
- Business Investor Resident Visa
- Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa
- Entrepreneur Resident Visa.
Find out more about the visas you are applying for:
Business Investor Resident Visa
How to meet our English language requirements
Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa and Entrepreneur Resident Visa
Principal applicant
If you are the person making the application (the principal applicant), there are 3 ways you can show us that you speak and understand English:
- through your English-speaking background
- through other evidence of your English language ability
- 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-speaking background
- 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 background to show English proficiency
You can show that your English-speaking background is at the level needed for your visa by your:
- education and qualifications
- use of English in your work, family and everyday life.
Meeting English language requirements
Providing other evidence of your English language ability
You can show us you are a competent user of English because of where you live, your family life, work background and studies. Evidence you meet our minimum standard of English can include:
- the country or countries you live in or used to live in, and how long you were there for
- whether you or your family speak English or any other languages
- whether English language was needed in your current and past work, and at what level
- getting qualifications that needed skill in English language.
Business Investor Visas
Business Investor Work Visa — 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.
Business Investor Resident Visa — 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:
English language tests
You can meet the English language requirement by taking a test.
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.
Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa and Entrepreneur Resident Visa
For the principal applicant, their partner and dependent children.
| Test | Principal applicant | Partner or dependent child |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall score of 4 or more | Overall score of 4 or more |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 31 or more | Overall score of 31 or more |
| PTE Academic | Overall score of 29 or more | Overall score of 29 or more |
| B2 First | Overall score of 142 or more | Overall score of 142 or more |
| B2 First for Schools | Overall score of 142 or more | Overall score of 142 or more |
| OET | Grade D or higher in all 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking | Grade D or higher in all 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking |
Business Investor Work Visa
For the principal applicant of a Business Investor Work Visa.
There are no English language requirements for the partner or dependent children of someone applying for a Business Investor Work Visa.
| Test | Principal applicant | Partner or dependent child |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall score of 5 or more | Not required |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 35 or more | Not required |
| PTE Academic | Overall score of 36 or more | Not required |
| B2 First | Overall score of 154 or more | Not required |
| B2 First for Schools | Overall score of 154 or more | Not required |
| OET | Grade C or higher in all 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking | Not required |
Business Investor Resident Visa
For the partner or dependent children of someone applying for a Business Investor Resident Visa.
| Test | Principal applicant | Partner or dependent child |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Not required | Overall score of 5 or more |
| TOEFL iBT | Not required | Overall score of 35 or more |
| PTE Academic | Not required | Overall score of 36 or more |
| B2 First | Not required | Overall score of 154 or more |
| B2 First for Schools | Not required | Overall score of 154 or more |
| OET | Not required | Grade C or higher in all 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking |
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.