English requirements for Accredited Employer Work Visa expanded

Applying for New Zealand work visa? Improve your English

New Zealand will extend its AEWV English language requirement (IELTS 4.0) to ANZSCO skill level 3 roles starting June 2026, previously applied only to levels 4 and 5. Companies sponsoring mid-skilled international hires for NZ roles must now factor the language threshold into candidate screening, ahead of two new residency pathways opening in August.