← New Zealand · 2026

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English Language Requirements Extended to AEWV Skill Level 3 Roles

Validated finding · five-country-2010-20260922-v118-evidence-presentation-fix

CountryNew Zealand
Operative dateJune 1, 2026
Categoryeligibility
Policy toolrule
Affected groupAccredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applicants for ANZSCO and NOL skill level 3 occupations

Policy effect

Immigration New Zealand has expanded the baseline English language requirement to include all Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applications categorized under Skill Level 3 of the ANZSCO and NOL. Applicants must now demonstrate basic English proficiency equivalent to an IELTS score of 4.0, subject to specific transitional exemptions for current visa holders.

Conditions and exceptions

Does not apply to Global Workforce Seasonal Visa, Peak Seasonal Visa AEWV applications, or Job Change applications. People with an AEWV expiring on or before 1 December 2026 applying for a further AEWV at skill level 3, or those who previously provided evidence, are exempt.

Official source excerpt

Quoted verbatim from the official source below. Ellipses indicate omitted text.

From 1 June 2026, Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) minimum English language requirements will apply to ANZSCO and NOL skill level 3 occupations.
immigration.govt.nzImmigration New Zealand Announcement, 'English language requirements extended to AEWV skill level 3 roles', 25 May 2026Open official source
Retrieved from https://immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/english-language-requirements-extended-to-aewv-skill-level-3-roles

Review method

Official-source daily scan followed by independent Gemini 3.8 Flash exact-claim and materiality verification.

Automated source validation is not independent human legal review. The finding should not be treated as legal advice. Record fcp-32a5cc96d6bc66b36b4b. Something wrong? Flag this record.

Other New Zealand changes operative in 2026