Learning English for families of resident visa applicants
For some visas, your partner and children aged 16 and older must show that they can speak and understand English. Find out how your family can get lessons.
When you apply
When applying for certain visas, your family must show that they can speak and understand English to the required level, or take approved English classes once they arrive in New Zealand.
Visas that allow an applicant's family to take English classes
The following visas allow an applicant's family members to meet language requirements by attending English classes in New Zealand.
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.
English language requirements for skilled residence visas
Business visas
- Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa
- Entrepreneur Resident Visa
English language test results for entrepreneurs and employees relocating to New Zealand
Residence from work visas
- Religious Worker Resident Visa
- Long Term Skill Shortage List Resident Visa
- Talent (Accredited Employer) Resident Visa
- Talent (Arts, Culture, Sports) Resident Visa.
English language test results for residence from work
Parent and child visas
- Dependent Child Resident Visa (dependent children only)
- Parent Resident Visa (principal applicant and partner).
English language test results for a Dependent Child Resident Visa
English language test results for a Parent Resident Visa
Note
There are no English language requirements for partners or dependent children for visas not listed here.
An acceptable standard of English
Your
Meeting English language requirements
If your family does not speak English well enough
If your partner or children do not pass the English test, you must pay us for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. We can approve your application once you have made this payment.
When your partner and children arrive in New Zealand, they can learn English in the classes you have paid for.
How we work out the cost of English classes
The cost of ESOL classes depends on how well each member of your family can speak English.
If your partner and children speak some English, they can take an English language test to find out what their level of English is. We use the test scores to decide how much tuition they will need. The higher their test score, the less you pay for their classes.
Note
If your partner or children are not able to speak English at all or do not take the test, you must pay the maximum charge for their English language tuition.
Applying for a Parent Resident Visa
If you are applying for a Parent Resident Visa you can pay for you and your partner to learn English in New Zealand. You only pay the lowest fee even if you do not speak or understand English at all.
English language tests you can take
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.
We accept the following English language tests:
| Organisation | Website |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System — General or Academic Module | IELTS — General or Academic module |
| International English Language Testing System — One Skill Retake | IELTS — OSR |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test | TOEFL iBT |
| Pearson Test of English Academic | PTE Academic |
| Cambridge English — B2 First | B2 First |
| Cambridge English — B2 First for Schools | B2 First for Schools |
| Occupational English Test — designed for health care professionals | OET |
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.
How much you pay
The total amount you pay includes:
- the cost of ESOL classes
- administration costs for Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) — they arrange the classes, and
- our administration costs.
If you took the IELTS test
This is what you pay if you took:
- IELTS — General or Academic module, or
- IELTS — One Skill Retake (OSR).
| Your overall score | Total fees | Class fees | Administration fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5 or more, but less than 5.0 | NZD $1,735 | NZD $1,531.82 | NZD $203.18 |
| 4.0 or more, but less than 4.5 | NZD $3,420 | NZD $3,063.64 | NZD $356.36 |
| 3.5 or more, but less than 4.0 | NZD $5,100 | NZD $4,600.00 | NZD $510.00 |
| Less than 3.5 | NZD $6,795 | NZD $6,131.82 | NZD $663.18 |
If you took the TOEFL iBT test
| Your overall score | Total fees | Class fees | Administration fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 to 34 | NZD $1,735 | NZD $1,531.82 | NZD $203.18 |
| 31 | NZD $3,420 | NZD $3,063.64 | NZD $356.36 |
| Less than 31 | NZD $6,795 | NZD $6,131.82 | NZD $663.18 |
If you took the PTE Academic test
| Your overall score | Total fees | Class fees | Administration fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 to 35 | NZD $1,735 | NZD $1,531.82 | NZD $203.18 |
| 29 | NZD $3,420 | NZD $3,063.64 | NZD $356.36 |
| Less than 29 | NZD $6,795 | NZD $6,131.82 | NZD $663.18 |
If you took a Cambridge English test
This is what you pay if you took:
- B2 First, or
- B2 First for Schools.
| Your overall score | Total fees | Class fees | Administration fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 157 to 153 | NZD $1,735 | NZD $1,531.82 | NZD $203.18 |
| 142 to 146 | NZD $3,420 | NZD $3,063.64 | NZD $356.36 |
| Less than 142 | NZD $6,795 | NZD $6,131.82 | NZD $663.18 |
If you took the OET test
Your grade must apply to all 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.
| Your overall score | Total fees | Class fees | Administration fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade C | NZD $1,735 | NZD $1,531.82 | NZD $203.18 |
| Grade D | NZD $3,420 | NZD $3,063.64 | NZD $356.36 |
| Less than grade D | NZD $6,795 | NZD $6,131.82 | NZD $663.18 |
Paying for ESOL classes
After we approve your application in principle and before we grant you a resident visa, we:
- let you know the total amount you need to pay us for your ESOL tuition, and
- ask you to complete an agreement covering each person that needs ESOL tuition.
The agreement explains the conditions of the ESOL tuition and gives information about the TEC. We send 2 copies:
- sign and return one to us together with your payment, and
- keep the other for your records — your family must take this to their English classes.
Who provides the classes
The TEC is the New Zealand government agency that arranges ESOL tuition. We pay your class fees to the TEC.
Where you can learn English
There are many different courses and course providers in all parts of New Zealand teaching English for speakers of other languages.
The TEC website also has information about English language course details, locations and costs.
Information for migrant learners — Tertiary Education Commission
Starting classes
Your family has 5 years to complete their ESOL classes.
Most people start classes as soon as possible after they arrive in New Zealand, and find that speaking and understanding English helps them settle here successfully.
If you do not come to NZ
If you and your family never enter New Zealand on your resident visa, we can refund the money you paid for ESOL classes.
To get a refund, contact us within 6 months of your resident visa expiring.