Immigration New Zealand accepts OET, PTE, IELTS, FCE, TOFEL for visa purposes

Immigration New Zealand announced on 11 October that it will accept PTE, IELTS, FCE, TOFEL as proof of English proficiency for all visa categories where an English language test result may be required.

The People says: “We applaud Immigration New Zealand for giving Various Test candidates the chance to use their test results for their visa application. We share the common vision of supporting healthcare professionals to successfully contribute within the New Zealand healthcare system”.

The New Zealand Immigration website states that hospitals and practices across New Zealand are looking for doctors, midwives, surgeons and 36 other healthcare occupations. It’s estimated that New Zealand will need 380 extra specialists every year to meet the OECD average by 2021, and up to 25,000 more nurses by 2030.

Christchurch
Auckland
Wellington
Dunedin
Hamilton

For more information about the requirements for Skilled Migrant Category visas, go the Immigration New Zealand media centre website:

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/media-centre/news-notifications/new-zealand-residence-programme-changes/nzrp-smc

For information about migrating to New Zealand, go to:www.immigration.govt.nz/new-zealand-visas


What if I’ve already applied under the Skilled Migrant Category?


If you’ve already applied, the requirements that were in place on the date you made your application will continue to apply to you. You don’t need to meet the new point threshold and the new requirements for English language evidence do not apply to you.

I think I can meet the new points threshold, but I was planning to use my one year of skilled employment in New Zealand as evidence of meeting the English language requirement, so what do the changes to English language mean for me?
If you are invited to apply, you will need to provide an English test if you do not meet any of the other new requirements. If you apply after 21 November, you can use one of the new tests. Your invitation to apply requires you to apply within four months, so you should make sure you organise your test soon after being invited.

What scores will be required on the new English language tests? Where can I find out more information about the tests?

More information scores required for each test are listed below, along with the websites of each testing providers. Remember that if you lodge your application before 21 November 2016 IELTS is the only test INZ can accept.

How long are the English tests valid for?

English language tests are valid for two years from the date they were sat.


IELTS:-

Test : International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
Website : www.ielts.org
Score required for SMC : 6.5


OET:-

Test : Occupational English Test (OET)
Website : www.occupationalenglishtest.org
Score required for SMC : B

Cambridge English:-

Test : Cambridge English: First (FCE) and FCE for Schools
Website :  www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams/first/
Score required for SMC : 176


PTE :-

Test : Pearson Test of English: Academic (PTE: Academic)
Website :  www.pearsonpte.com
Score required for SMC :  58


TOEFL:-

Test : Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet Based Test (TOEFL iBT)
Website : www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/about
Score required for SMC : 79