English language requirements for an Accredited Employer Work Visa
Find out how you can meet our English language requirement for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV), if you have been offered a role at ANZSCO level 4 or 5.
When you apply
You must show that you can speak and understand English when you apply for an AEWV, for a job at
There are no English language requirements if you are applying for an AEWV for a job at ANZSCO level 1 to 3.
If you have an AEWV, you may be able to support:
- a visitor visa for your partner
- a work visa for your partner
- visitor visas for your dependent children
- student visas for your dependent children.
If you are eligible to support them, there are no English language requirements for your
How to meet our English language requirements
If you are applying for an AEWV, there are 2 ways you can show us that you speak and understand English:
- through your English ability from citizenship, working and studying
- by taking an English language test.
Using your citizenship, work and study to show English ability
Your citizenship, work or study experience may satisfy the English language requirements where at least one of the following situations applies, and evidence can be provided:
Citizenship
You are a citizen of one of the countries listed below. You must have spent at least 5 years working or studying in one of these countries, or in Australia or New Zealand.
- Canada
- Ireland
- United Kingdom
- United States
Bachelor's degree
You have a qualification that is comparable with a New Zealand level 7 bachelor's degree gained in one of the countries listed below. You would need to have lived in one of these countries while studying for the qualification for at least 2 years.
- Australia
- Canada
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States.
Postgraduate qualification
You have a qualification that is comparable with a New Zealand postgraduate qualification at level 8 or above gained in one of the countries listed below. You would need to have lived in one of these countries while studying the qualification for at least 1 year.
- Australia
- Canada
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- United States.
How to provide evidence
We can confirm your citizenship by viewing your passport details. You do not need to provide any more evidence of citizenship or where you have lived, unless we ask for it.
For evidence of your qualifications and where you studied, we need a copy of your qualification certificate and academic transcript.
You may need to get an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) to show that your qualifications can be used in New Zealand:
Check if you need an International Qualification Assessment
English language tests
You can also meet the English language requirement by taking a test.
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.
Approved English language tests
We accept the following English language tests:
- General or Academic module — International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- One Skill Retake (OSR) — International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
- B2 First — Cambridge English (B2 First)
- B2 First for Schools — Cambridge English (B2 First for Schools)
- Occupational English Test (OET) — designed for health care professionals
Your English language test results
If you choose to take an English language test, there is a minimum score you need to achieve.
| Test | Principal applicant |
|---|---|
| IELTS | Overall score of 4 or more |
| TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 31 or more |
| PTE Academic | Overall score of 29 or more |
| B2 First | Overall score of 142 or more |
| B2 First for Schools | Overall score of 142 or more |
| OET | Grade D or higher in all 4 skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking. |
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.
If you have provided evidence that you speak English before
You may be able to use a previous English language assessment from Immigration New Zealand in your application. It cannot be an application where the English language was assessed by a third party, such as an education provider.