New Zealand skilled residence English: IELTS 6.5, the other test scores, and what partners need
To get a skilled residence visa in New Zealand, the principal applicant needs IELTS 6.5 overall, or TOEFL iBT 79, PTE Academic 58, Cambridge B2 First 176, or an OET grade C+ in every skill. A partner, and any child aged 16 or older, needs less: IELTS 5, or lessons paid for in advance.
This applies to the Skilled Migrant Category, Straight to Residence, Work to Residence, Care Workforce Work to Residence and Transport Work to Residence visas. Sources, read on 9 November 2026: Immigration New Zealand's page English language requirements for skilled residence visas, and Amendment Circular 2026-21 (dated 7 August 2026), which sets out instruction SR2.10 as in force from 24 August 2026.
The scores, for the principal applicant and for the family
INZ accepts IELTS (General or Academic, including One Skill Retake), TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge B2 First and B2 First for Schools, and the OET:
- IELTSprincipal 6.5 overallpartner or child 16+: 5.0
- TOEFL iBTprincipal 79partner or child 16+: 35
- PTE Academicprincipal 58partner or child 16+: 36
- B2 First / B2 First for Schoolsprincipal 176partner or child 16+: 154
- OETprincipal C+ in all four skillspartner or child 16+: C in all four
Overall, not per skill, except the OET
For IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and B2 First, INZ asks for an overall score; there is no minimum per skill. The OET has no overall grade, so it is the one test where every skill must reach C+ (or C for a partner).
Our reading: that is a real difference from Australia, where competent English means IELTS 6 in each skill. An IELTS 6.5 with a 5.5 in writing meets New Zealand's requirement and would not meet Australia's competent level. See Australia's visa English levels.
How old the result can be, and where you take it
The result must be no more than 2 years old on the day you lodge the application. Since 24 August 2026 there is one exception: up to 5 years for Skilled Migrant Category applicants with a valid occupational registration listed in SR3.30, and for their partner and children.
The test must be taken in person at a test centre. At-home and remotely supervised tests are not accepted.
Meeting the requirement without a test
A principal applicant meets the standard without a test if one of these applies, with evidence:
Citizenship of Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States, plus at least 5 years working or studying in one or more of those countries, Australia or New Zealand. A passport alone is not enough.
A bachelor's degree comparable to a New Zealand level 7 degree, gained in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK or the US after at least 2 academic years of study there; or a postgraduate qualification at level 8 or above after at least 1 academic year there. You may need an International Qualification Assessment from NZQA.
An immigration officer can still ask for a test result in any case. Children under 16 have no English requirement.
If a partner falls short: pre-paid English lessons
A partner or child aged 16+ who does not reach the minimum can pre-purchase English (ESOL) tuition instead. The principal applicant cannot use this option. The charge depends on the score, and is paid before the visa is granted:
- IELTS 4.5 to under 5.0NZ$1,735TOEFL iBT 32–34 · PTE 30–35 · B2 First 147–153
- IELTS 4.0 to under 4.5NZ$3,420TOEFL iBT 31 · PTE 29 · B2 First 142–146 · OET D or better in all four
- IELTS 3.5 to under 4.0NZ$5,110
- IELTS under 3.5NZ$6,795TOEFL under 31 · PTE under 29 · B2 First under 142
Before you book
Our reading: the gap between the family tier and the principal tier is large (IELTS 5 against 6.5), and every half band a partner gains lowers the ESOL charge by about NZ$1,700. For the scale of each test, see IELTS bands, PTE Academic scores and OET scores.
Mistakes worth avoiding
Taking IELTS Online or another at-home test.
Sitting the test in person at a test centre.
INZ does not accept tests taken remotely outside a test centre.
Assuming a UK, US, Canadian or Irish passport is enough.
Showing at least 5 years of work or study in one of those countries, Australia or New Zealand as well.
Citizenship counts only together with five years of work or education there.
Using a three-year-old IELTS result.
Using a result no more than 2 years old when you lodge, unless the 5-year registration exception applies to you.
SR2.10.1 sets two years; five only for SMC applicants with a valid occupational registration in SR3.30.
Questions
What IELTS score do you need for New Zealand residence?
6.5 overall for the principal applicant on a skilled residence visa; 5.0 overall for a partner or a dependent child aged 16 or older.
What PTE score does New Zealand need for the Skilled Migrant Category?
PTE Academic 58 overall for the principal applicant; 36 for a partner or child aged 16+.
How long is an English test valid for New Zealand residence?
No more than 2 years old when you lodge, or up to 5 years for Skilled Migrant Category applicants with a valid occupational registration listed in SR3.30.
What if my partner does not reach IELTS 5?
They can pre-purchase English lessons instead: NZ$1,735 to NZ$6,795 depending on the score.
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