More migrant workers to face English requirement under AEWV changes
People applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in skill level 3 occupations will need to meet minimum English language requirements from 1 June 2026, under changes announced by Immigration New Zealand.
Currently, English language requirements apply only to applicants in ANZSCO or National Occupation List (NOL) skill level 4 and 5 roles. From June next year, the requirement will be extended to include skill level 3 occupations as well.
"Skill level 3 is now the largest part of the AEWV cohort. Around half of AEWV applications are for skill level 3 roles, compared with 16 per cent for skill levels 4 and 5 combined,” Immigration minister Erica Stanford said .
“Being able to communicate in basic, everyday English ensures that workers understand their rights and engage effectively at work and in the community while they are here".
“The required standard is the current baseline (IELTS 4.0 or equivalent), which demonstrates basic, everyday English for common situations, not a high or advanced level of English," Stanford said
Immigration New Zealand said the change is aimed at supporting better integration, helping migrants understand their rights and obligations, and enabling them to raise concerns about non-compliant employers.
Under the current settings, applicants in skill level 4 and 5 roles can meet the English language requirement through citizenship, work or study history, or by completing an approved English language test.
The new requirement will apply to migrants applying for an AEWV at ANZSCO or NOL skill level 3 from 1 June 2026 onwards, even if their employer received a job check token before that date.
However, some visa holders will be exempt under transitional arrangements.
People already holding an AEWV with visas expiring on or before 1 December 2026 will not need to meet the new English language requirement when applying for another AEWV at skill level 3.
Migrants who have already provided evidence of their English ability as part of a previous AEWV application will also be exempt.
Immigration New Zealand said no current visa holders would be affected retrospectively while their visas remain valid, and the changes would not impact existing visas, employment, or current lengths of stay.
Immigration New Zealand said the transitional arrangements are intended to ensure fairness for migrants already contributing to New Zealand’s workforce and to provide enough time for those who may need to sit an English language test before their visas expire.
The English language requirement will not apply to Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa AEWV applications. It also does not apply to Job Change applications.
Immigration New Zealand said the changes would provide greater consistency and clarity across skill levels and help employers plan recruitment for skill level 3 roles from June 2026.
Click here to know more about English language requirements for an Accredited Employer Work Visa
People applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in skill level 3 occupations will need to meet minimum English language requirements from 1 June 2026, under changes announced by Immigration New Zealand.
Currently, English language requirements apply only to applicants in ANZSCO or...
People applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) in skill level 3 occupations will need to meet minimum English language requirements from 1 June 2026, under changes announced by Immigration New Zealand.
Currently, English language requirements apply only to applicants in ANZSCO or National Occupation List (NOL) skill level 4 and 5 roles. From June next year, the requirement will be extended to include skill level 3 occupations as well.
"Skill level 3 is now the largest part of the AEWV cohort. Around half of AEWV applications are for skill level 3 roles, compared with 16 per cent for skill levels 4 and 5 combined,” Immigration minister Erica Stanford said .
“Being able to communicate in basic, everyday English ensures that workers understand their rights and engage effectively at work and in the community while they are here".
“The required standard is the current baseline (IELTS 4.0 or equivalent), which demonstrates basic, everyday English for common situations, not a high or advanced level of English," Stanford said
Immigration New Zealand said the change is aimed at supporting better integration, helping migrants understand their rights and obligations, and enabling them to raise concerns about non-compliant employers.
Under the current settings, applicants in skill level 4 and 5 roles can meet the English language requirement through citizenship, work or study history, or by completing an approved English language test.
The new requirement will apply to migrants applying for an AEWV at ANZSCO or NOL skill level 3 from 1 June 2026 onwards, even if their employer received a job check token before that date.
However, some visa holders will be exempt under transitional arrangements.
People already holding an AEWV with visas expiring on or before 1 December 2026 will not need to meet the new English language requirement when applying for another AEWV at skill level 3.
Migrants who have already provided evidence of their English ability as part of a previous AEWV application will also be exempt.
Immigration New Zealand said no current visa holders would be affected retrospectively while their visas remain valid, and the changes would not impact existing visas, employment, or current lengths of stay.
Immigration New Zealand said the transitional arrangements are intended to ensure fairness for migrants already contributing to New Zealand’s workforce and to provide enough time for those who may need to sit an English language test before their visas expire.
The English language requirement will not apply to Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa AEWV applications. It also does not apply to Job Change applications.
Immigration New Zealand said the changes would provide greater consistency and clarity across skill levels and help employers plan recruitment for skill level 3 roles from June 2026.
Click here to know more about English language requirements for an Accredited Employer Work Visa
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