Minimum IELTS score to work in New Zealand and get PR in 2025 | IDP Vietnam

If gaining permanent residence is what will fill you with wairua (spirit) and mauri (life essence), you’ll need to spend at least 2 years living in New Zealand on a resident visa before you can be considered. 

There are multiple paths you can take to work towards permanent residency. 

The first is the academic path when completing your studies in New Zealand, which allows you to progress towards a post-study work visa, valid for up to 3 years. 

The second route is through the various work categories such as the skilled migrant and business categories. 

In order to study in New Zealand, you’ll have to obtain a Fee Paying Student Visa, and submit proof of an offer or confirmation of enrolment from an approved institution. 

You’re not required to prove your English proficiency for your student visa application, but it is necessary to get enrolled in a course in a New Zealand institution (an offer of place) beforehand. 

This means that attaining an overall IELTS band score of minimum 6.0 is essential for entry to the majority of New Zealand’s universities and courses.  

1. Post Study Work Visa 

If you graduated or completed an eligible qualification from a New Zealand institution, you can apply for a post-study work visa that allows you to stay in New Zealand from 1 year up to 3 years, and this can only be applied once. 

You should have completed a degree level 7 or above, as well as a non-degree level 7 or below, which fall under the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa.

This gives you time and flexibility to work in any job and for any employer in New Zealand and start working your way up to securing a residence visa and a permanent residence visa after that. 

There is no need to prove your English proficiency if you have already completed an eligible qualification in New Zealand and demonstrated your English language skills. 

2. Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa 

For your application to succeed, you must have a job or job offer with an employer approved by immigration and qualify for 6 points across factors including qualification, earned income, and skilled work experience in New Zealand. 

Under the Skilled Migrant Category pathway, you’ll be able to live and work in New Zealand indefinitely and work your way up to applying for a Permanent Resident Visa after 2 years on a resident visa. 

You’ll also need to attain a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 from either the IELTS General Training or Academic test. One IELTS skill retake is accepted as part of your application. 

3. Work to Residence Visa 

Once you have worked in a Green List Tier 2 in-demand role in New Zealand for two years, you can apply for residence status under the Green List pathway. 

You will need to obtain a minimum IELTS overall score of 6.5 in either the General Training or Academic test. One IELTS skill retake is accepted as part of your application. This resident visa allows you to: 

• live in New Zealand indefinitely 

• work in any role for any employer in New Zealand 

• qualify for a Permanent Resident Visa after 2 years on a resident visa 

• leave and return to New Zealand as often as you want until your travel conditions expire (typically within two years) 

• access most publicly funded services 

4. Straight to Residence Visa 

This residence visa requires you to have a job offer from an accredited employer with a role on Tier 1 of the Green List.  You will need to obtain a minimum IELTS overall score of 6.5 in either the General Training or Academic test. One IELTS skill retake is accepted as part of your application. It is important to note that your test result must be no more than 2 years old at the time of your application.  You enjoy the same benefits similar to the Work to Residence Visa, like being eligible for the Permanent Resident Visa after at least 2 years holding on to a resident visa. 

5. Entrepreneur Work Visa 

To buy or set up your own business in New Zealand, you will need this work visa, which grants you up to 3 years.  To qualify, you have to attain a minimum overall IELTS test score of 4.0. You can take either the IELTS Academic or General Training test as well to show that you are a competent user of English. One IELTS skill retake is accepted as part of your application. For more details on available visas, visit New Zealand’s immigration website to identify the right one for you. 

Pursue your career and PR in New Zealand with IELTS by IDP 

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