Meeting English language requirements
For visas other than skilled residence visas, you may be able to use your English-speaking background to meet our English language requirements.
When you apply
When applying for certain visas, you must show that you, your
For some visas, one of the ways you and your family can do this is by showing us that you have an English-speaking background.
Visas that allow your background to be used as evidence
The information on this page applies to the following visas:
Business visas
- Active Investor Plus Visa
- Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa
- Entrepreneur Resident Visa
- Entrepreneur Work Visa.
English language test results for entrepreneurs and employees relocating to New Zealand
Note
For the Active Investor Plus Visa, the requirement to meet English language proficiency only applies to applications submitted before 1 April 2025 which have not been transitioned to the new settings.
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
- Parent Resident Visa.
English language test results for a Dependent Child Resident Visa
English language test results for a Parent Resident Visa
Note
For the Dependent Child Resident Visa, this is conditional on the category their parent obtained residence under. A dependent child cannot use an English-speaking background if their parent holds a skilled residence visa.
It does not apply to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), the skilled residence visas, or any working holiday visas.
Using your background to meet our English language requirements
Evidence of an English-speaking background can include:
- your education and qualifications
- use of English in your work, family and everyday life.
Alert
If you are applying for an AEVW or a skilled residence visa, you cannot use an English-speaking background as evidence of your English language ability. We require a higher level of English for these visas.
You cannot use it for working holiday visas either, as the requirements for these visas are different.
English language requirements for an Accredited Employer Work Visa
English language requirements for skilled residence visas
English language requirements for some working holiday visas
Education and qualifications
When you apply for a visa, proof of your English-speaking background can include:
- certificates showing you were taught in English for all the years you were at primary school and for at least 3 years of secondary school
- certificates showing you were taught in English for 5 years at secondary school
- a tertiary qualification that was taught in English, which took 3 or more years to complete
- certificates showing you have a qualification listed in the table below.
| Qualification | Minimum score or level required |
|---|---|
| General Certificate of Education (GCE) ‘A’ levels from Britain or Singapore | C pass. Subjects must include English Language or Literature or Use of English |
| International Baccalaureate | Full diploma in English medium |
| Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English | C pass |
| Hong Kong Advanced Level Examinations (HKALE) | C pass in Use of English |
| STPM 920 (Malaysia) | A or B pass in English Literature |
| University of Cambridge in collaboration with University of Malaya, General Certificate of English (GCE) ‘A’ levels | C pass, including English or General Paper subjects |
| South African Matriculation Certificate | Minimum D pass in English (higher grade) |
| South African Senior Certificate | Minimum D pass in English (higher grade), endorsed with the words 'matriculation exempt' |
| New Zealand tertiary entrance qualification | Gained on completing year 13 (seventh form) |
Work, family and everyday life
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.
If your background is insufficient evidence
English language tests
We may ask you to provide us with an English language test result if we need further evidence that you meet the minimum standard.
English language lessons
For your partner and dependent children
You can buy English language lessons for your partner and dependent children aged 16 and older, as part of your visa application. You must pay us for English language classes before we approve your visas.
This lets your partner and dependent children improve their English after they come to New Zealand.
If your partner and dependent children sit an English language test, but do not get a high enough score, they may get a discount on the cost of the lessons.
For principal applicants applying for a Parent Resident Visa
If you (as the principal applicant) are applying for a Parent Resident Visa, you can choose to buy English lessons as a way to meet our English language requirements. Principal applicants for other visas cannot use the English lesson option as a way to meet our English language requirements.
Learning English for families of resident visa applicants
Other visas and their English language requirements
Your visa requirements will state whether you need to speak and understand English. Some visas have no English language requirements.
A higher level of English is required for AEWV and skilled residence visas, and your English-speaking background cannot be used as evidence.
The requirements for working holiday visas are also different.
English language requirements for an Accredited Employer Work Visa
English language requirements for skilled residence visas
English language requirements for some working holiday visas