ScoreFluent

Official sources checked 6 October 2026

Which English test for New Zealand skilled residence?

Confirm the visa category, whose English you are proving and the exact in-person test before comparing exam formats.

Short answer: Immigration New Zealand's skilled-residence guidance accepts evidence through citizenship, qualifying work or study, or an approved test. Test takers can use IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge B2 First or OET, subject to the current route rules. Check the official skilled-residence guidance.

First identify the route and the person

Principal applicant

Higher skilled-residence standard

The principal applicant must meet the route's standard through accepted background evidence or an approved English test.

Partner or child 16+

Separate family rules

Eligible family members use a different standard and may be able to pay for English tuition instead of supplying a qualifying result.

Different visa

Open that visa page

Work, study and other residence routes can use different English rules. Do not transfer this list to another visa category.

Approved test families for skilled residence

IELTS

Check the accepted IELTS version and the current principal- or family-applicant threshold.

TOEFL iBT

Use the score format and test date rules shown on Immigration New Zealand's current page.

PTE Academic

Book Academic and compare the official immigration threshold, not a converted IELTS estimate.

Cambridge B2 First

The official guidance names B2 First and B2 First for Schools. Do not substitute another Cambridge qualification without confirmation.

OET

OET is an option on the skilled-residence list; applicants may also have separate professional-registration requirements.

We deliberately do not reproduce numeric thresholds here. Immigration New Zealand's current route page and application form should govern because test scales and route instructions can change.

Checks to make before you book

  1. Confirm the visa. Make sure it is one of the skilled-residence categories covered by the source page.
  2. Confirm whose evidence is needed. Principal applicants and family members can have different options.
  3. Book in-person delivery. At-home or other remote results are not accepted for this evidence.
  4. Check result age. Your qualifying result must still be within the stated two-year window when you apply.
  5. Reopen the official score table. Use its current test-specific threshold rather than a third-party conversion chart.

Compare eligible exam formats →

Frequently asked questions

Which New Zealand visas does this guide cover?

It covers the skilled-residence English guidance used for the Skilled Migrant Category, Care Workforce Work to Residence, Straight to Residence, Transport Work to Residence and Work to Residence visas.

Are at-home English tests accepted for skilled residence?

Immigration New Zealand says test results must be obtained in person at a test centre. Remote tests taken outside a test centre are not accepted for this evidence.

Do partners and dependent children use the same English standard?

No. Immigration New Zealand distinguishes the principal applicant from a partner or dependent child aged 16 or older, and eligible family members may be able to pre-purchase English tuition.

How old can the test result be?

The skilled-residence guidance says an English test result must be no more than two years old when you apply.

Official sources

Requirements change. Check the immigration authority and the receiving institution or programme again before booking a test or submitting an application.

Related destination guides

Practise after you confirm your route.

ScoreFluent supports PTE Academic, IELTS, TOEFL iBT and Cambridge C1 Advanced practice. Immigration New Zealand names Cambridge B2 First for this route, so C1 practice does not replace checking the accepted qualification.

Explore practice →