IELTS Score for New Zealand Immigration
The IELTS band you need to immigrate to New Zealand, scored against the Immigration New Zealand (INZ) English requirement. Official thresholds, a full conversion table, and how to check your band before you book the test.
What IELTS score do I need for New Zealand immigration?
The Skilled Migrant Category resident visa requires an overall IELTS 6.5 (Academic or General Training) for the principal applicant. Partners and dependents aged 16+ need an overall 5.0.
Immigration New Zealand accepts both IELTS Academic and General Training for its residence English requirement. For the Skilled Migrant Category resident visa, the principal applicant must reach an overall band of 6.5. Partners and dependent children aged 16 or older need an overall 5.0, or they can pre-purchase ESOL tuition instead. Some pathways look at minimum scores in each section rather than only the overall average, so an overall 6.5 with one weak section can still fall short — check the exact rule for your visa category.
Which IELTS test: IELTS Academic or General Training (both accepted).
New Zealand IELTS requirements by pathway
| Applicant / pathway | IELTS requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Skilled Migrant Category (principal applicant) | Overall 6.5 | IELTS Academic or General Training |
| Partner / dependent child (16+) | Overall 5.0 | Or pre-purchase ESOL tuition on arrival |
| Student visa | Set by the education provider | Typically 5.5 – 6.0 for degree-level study |
The English requirement is set by Immigration New Zealand and varies by visa category. Some categories also set per-section minimums. Confirm the exact rule for your visa on the official immigration.govt.nz page.
Official source: Immigration New Zealand (immigration.govt.nz)
New Zealand IELTS immigration requirements - common questions
What IELTS score do I need for New Zealand residence?
The Skilled Migrant Category resident visa requires the principal applicant to reach an overall IELTS band of 6.5, in either IELTS Academic or General Training. Partners and dependent children aged 16 or older need an overall 5.0, or they can pre-purchase approved ESOL tuition instead of meeting the score.
Does New Zealand accept IELTS Academic or General Training?
Immigration New Zealand accepts both IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training for its residence English requirement, so you can sit whichever module you are stronger in. The overall band required is the same for both.
Is IELTS 6.5 enough for New Zealand immigration?
An overall 6.5 meets the English requirement for the principal applicant on the Skilled Migrant Category resident visa. Be aware that some visa categories also check per-section scores, so confirm whether your specific category needs a minimum in each of the four skills.