Visa English requirements

Do you need IELTS for New Zealand's Active Investor Plus Visa?

Not for current applications. Immigration New Zealand says the requirement to speak and understand English was removed when the Active Investor Plus Visa changed on 1 April 2025. The old rule, IELTS 5 overall or an equivalent for the principal applicant only, now applies only to applications made before that date and not moved to the new visa.
  • Guide updated · 30 October 2026
  • 3 sections
  • IELTS
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Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026

What changed

INZ's English page for this visa now covers only applications made before 1 April 2025 that did not transition to the new visa (INZ). Partners and dependent children had no English requirement under the old rule either.

The old requirement (pre-April 2025 applications)

Under the old rule the principal could use an English-speaking background, other evidence of English ability, or a test sat in person and no more than 2 years old.

TestPrincipalPartner or child
IELTSOverall 5Not required
TOEFL iBTOverall 35Not required
PTE AcademicOverall 36Not required
B2 First / for SchoolsOverall 154Not required
OETGrade C in all 4 skillsNot required

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Other investor and business routes

Entrepreneur and Relocating Business resident visas still have an English requirement; see IELTS for the NZ Entrepreneur Resident Visa.

Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current requirement on the INZ Active Investor Plus English page before you book a test or apply. This guide restates the official page; it is not legal or immigration advice.

Frequently asked questions

I applied in 2024. Do I need IELTS?+

If you applied before 1 April 2025 and did not transition to the new visa, the old requirement of IELTS 5 overall or equivalent applies to the principal applicant.

Does my partner need IELTS?+

No. There was no English requirement for partners or children even under the old rule.

Do I need a test under the new visa?+

No. INZ says the English requirement was removed on 1 April 2025.

Is the entrepreneur visa the same?+

No. It still requires IELTS 4 overall or another way of meeting the requirement.

Keep reading

Related

Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

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