Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
Minimum scores by visa and occupation
Immigration New Zealand accepts seven tests: IELTS General or Academic, IELTS One Skill Retake, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, B2 First, B2 First for Schools and OET. You must sit the test in person at a test centre, at-home tests are not accepted, and the result must be no more than 2 years old when you apply. (INZ)
| Visa / occupation | IELTS | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iconic: yoga instructor | 5.0 listening and speaking | 36 listening and speaking | 12 listening, 14 speaking |
| Iconic: Indian chef | 5.0 listening and speaking | 36 listening and speaking | 12 listening, 14 speaking |
| Iconic: music teacher | Overall 6.5 | Overall 58 | Overall 79 |
| Iconic: Ayush practitioner | Overall 6.5 | Overall 58 | Overall 79 |
| India Skilled Work Visa | Overall 6.5 | Overall 58 | Overall 79 |
Other accepted results
B2 First or B2 First for Schools needs 154 in listening and speaking for yoga instructors and chefs, and 176 overall for the other roles and the Skilled Work Visa. For the India Skilled Work Visa, OET needs grade C+ or higher in all 4 skills.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
No alternative to a test
Unlike the AEWV, INZ does not offer a citizenship or degree route here: it says you must show you meet the requirement by taking a test, for both the India Iconic Work Visa and the India Skilled Work Visa.
Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current requirement on the INZ India work visa 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
Can I use an English-medium degree instead of IELTS?+
No. INZ says you must show the requirement by taking a test.
Is IELTS One Skill Retake accepted?+
Yes. It is on INZ's approved test list.
How old can the result be?+
No more than 2 years old when you apply.
Is PTE Core accepted?+
No. INZ lists PTE Academic.
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