New Zealand approaches the English requirement for some resident visas differently from countries that rely on test scores alone. It allows evidence of an English-speaking background for certain visas, and lets some partners and older children meet the requirement by paying for English classes to be taken after arrival. This article summarises the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) pages “Meeting English language requirements” and “Learning English for families of resident visa applicants”. It concerns New Zealand visas only, and the fees and rules are those shown on the pages at the time of writing. Requirements differ by visa, so INZ’s visa-specific pages are the authority. This is general information, not immigration advice.
Where an English-speaking background can be used
INZ says that for visas other than skilled residence visas, an applicant may be able to use an English-speaking background to meet the requirement. It lists visas it applies to, including the Employees of Relocating Business Resident Visa, the Entrepreneur Resident Visa, several residence from work visas (such as the Long Term Skill Shortage List Resident Visa and the Talent visas) and the Parent Resident Visa and Dependent Child Resident Visa. For the Dependent Child Resident Visa, INZ says use of the background is conditional on the parent’s category: a dependent child cannot use it if the parent holds a skilled residence visa.
INZ says the route does not apply to the Accredited Employer Work Visa, to skilled residence visas or to working holiday visas. It states that a higher level of English is required for the Accredited Employer Work Visa and skilled residence visas, and that a background cannot be used as evidence for them.
What counts as a background
For education, INZ says evidence can include certificates showing the applicant was taught in English for all the years at primary school and at least 3 years of secondary school, or for 5 years at secondary school, or a tertiary qualification taught in English that took 3 or more years to complete. It also lists specific qualifications with minimum results, including British or Singapore GCE A levels (a C pass, with subjects including English Language, Literature or Use of English), the International Baccalaureate full diploma in English medium, the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (a C pass), and the New Zealand tertiary entrance qualification gained on completing Year 13.
Beyond education, INZ says an applicant can show competence through the countries they live or have lived in and for how long, whether they or their family speak English or other languages, whether English was needed in current and past work and at what level, and qualifications that needed skill in English. If the background is insufficient evidence, INZ says it may ask for an English language test result.
Lessons for partners and dependants aged 16 and over
INZ says that for some visas, a partner and dependent children aged 16 and older must show they can speak and understand English, and there are no English requirements for children under 16. The visas that allow family members to meet the requirement through classes include the skilled residence visas, the business visas and the residence from work visas listed on its page. If a partner or child does not pass the test, INZ says the applicant must pay for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, and INZ can approve the application once the payment is made. The family has 5 years to complete the classes after arrival, and INZ says a refund is available if the family never enters New Zealand on the resident visa, requested within 6 months of the visa expiring.
The cost depends on the level shown by a test. INZ’s published table for IELTS gives a total of NZD 1,735 for an overall score of 4.5 or more but less than 5.0, NZD 3,420 for 4.0 to under 4.5, NZD 5,100 for 3.5 to under 4.0 and NZD 6,795 for less than 3.5. Similar tables cover the other accepted tests. INZ says that people who cannot speak English at all, or who do not take the test, must pay the maximum charge. Parent Resident Visa applicants can choose lessons as their own way to meet the requirement, paying only the lowest fee, but principal applicants for other visas cannot use the lesson option for themselves.
The tests INZ accepts
INZ says the test must be sat in person at a test centre, that a result must be no more than 2 years old at the time of application, and that tests taken remotely, such as ‘at home’ tests, are not acceptable. It lists IELTS (General or Academic, including One Skill Retake), TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge English B2 First and B2 First for Schools, and the Occupational English Test for health care professionals. The applicant can choose which test to take. The site’s article on English tests for Australian visas shows how another country handles the same at-home question.
Who arranges and provides the classes
INZ says the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) arranges the ESOL tuition and that INZ pays the class fees to the TEC. There are many course providers across the country.
Common questions
Can I use my English-speaking background for a skilled residence visa?
No. INZ says a background cannot be used as evidence for skilled residence visas or the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Can I take the test at home?
No. INZ says remote or at-home tests are not acceptable.
The bottom line
For some New Zealand resident visas, INZ accepts an English-speaking background, and partners and dependants aged 16 and over who do not meet the test standard can have classes paid for in advance. Higher-level visas need test results, all tests must be sat in person and be under 2 years old, and the fees and eligible visas should be checked on the INZ pages for the specific visa.
Sources
- Immigration New Zealand, “Meeting English language requirements” (immigration.govt.nz)
- Immigration New Zealand, “Learning English for families of resident visa applicants” (immigration.govt.nz)