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Written by Immigration adviser.

English language requirements for residence - New changes.

Following yesterdays big change to INZ's residence policy, changes to the English language requirements will affect many people. Until now it was possible to prove your English was good enough by working full time for 1 year, by living in an English speaking country for some time, and many other possibilities.

This has now changed and there are now 4 definitely clear ways to show your English is good enough:

  1. By English test result. From 21/11/2016 tests other than IELTS will be accepted, but before then, only IELTS will be accepted.The scores required are: IELTS 6.5, OET B, Cambridge English (FCE) 176, PTE Academic 58, TOEFL iBT 59.
  2. Citizenship with at least 5 years of work or education in: Canada, Ireland, the UK, or the USA
  3. A level 7 (bachelors degree) from the countries above, with at least 2 years of study
  4. A level 8 degree from the countries above, with at least 1 year of academic study

What this means for most people who are not from Canada, Ireland, the UK or the USA, is that you will have to submit an English test result. You will need to study and pass the test, which does not happen by just staying and working in NZ, you will need to make an effort with this.