Scoring System Overview
The English language requirements for New Zealand skilled residence visas set the minimum standard of English that principal applicants, their partners, and dependent children aged 16 or older must demonstrate when applying for a skilled residence visa. A higher standard of English is required for skilled residence visas than for other residence visa types. This is a set of minimum requirements, not a points-based scoring system.
Score Breakdown
Principal Applicant English Language Tests
Principal applicants must achieve a minimum score on an approved English language test. A higher test result is required for principal applicants than for partners or dependent children. Tests must be taken in person at a test centre and results must be no more than 2 years old.
| Condition | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS General or Academic | Overall score of 6.5 or more | Principal applicant minimum |
| IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) | Overall score of 6.5 or more | Principal applicant minimum |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 79 or more | Principal applicant minimum |
| PTE Academic | Overall score of 58 or more | Principal applicant minimum |
| Cambridge B2 First | Overall score of 176 or more | Principal applicant minimum |
| Cambridge B2 First for Schools | Overall score of 176 or more | Principal applicant minimum |
| OET | Grade C+ or higher in all 4 skills | Principal applicant minimum; no overall grade for this test |
Prerequisites: Principal applicants cannot use the English lesson option as a way to meet English language requirements.
Partner and Dependent Children English Language Tests
Partners and dependent children aged 16 or older must achieve a minimum score on an approved English language test. A lower test result is required compared to the principal applicant.
| Condition | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS General or Academic | Overall score of 5 or more | Partner or dependent child minimum |
| IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) | Overall score of 5 or more | Partner or dependent child minimum |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 35 or more | Partner or dependent child minimum |
| PTE Academic | Overall score of 36 or more | Partner or dependent child minimum |
| Cambridge B2 First | Overall score of 154 or more | Partner or dependent child minimum |
| Cambridge B2 First for Schools | Overall score of 154 or more | Partner or dependent child minimum |
| OET | Grade C or higher in all 4 skills | Partner or dependent child minimum; no overall grade for this test |
Prerequisites: There are no English language requirements for children younger than 16. If the partner or dependent children do not achieve the minimum test score, English language lessons can be purchased instead.
Citizenship Pathway
Citizenship of certain countries combined with work or study experience may satisfy English language requirements without a test.
| Condition | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Citizen of Canada, Ireland, United Kingdom, or United States | Not specified in source | Must have spent at least 5 years working or studying in one of those countries, or in Australia or New Zealand |
Qualification Pathway - Bachelor's Degree
A qualification comparable to a New Zealand level 7 bachelor's degree gained in an approved country may satisfy English language requirements.
| Condition | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification comparable with NZ level 7 bachelor's degree from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, or United States | Not specified in source | Must have lived in one of those countries while studying for the qualification for at least 2 years |
Qualification Pathway - Postgraduate Qualification
A qualification comparable to a New Zealand postgraduate qualification at level 8 or above gained in an approved country may satisfy English language requirements.
| Condition | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Qualification comparable with NZ level 8 or above from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, or United States | Not specified in source | Must have lived in one of those countries while studying the qualification for at least 1 year |