New Zealand has announced new visa rules that will make it difficult for non-English speakers to obtain a work visa in the country, even for low-level jobs. The new regulations will come into effect on June 1. English language requirements under recognized employer work visas will be extended to skill level 3 positions, such as hospitality and trade, bringing them in line with existing standards already applied to skill levels 4 and 5.“Being able to communicate in basic, everyday English ensures workers understand their rights and can participate effectively in their jobs and communities while on the job,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said in a statement.
- Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Season Visa applications are not subject to English language requirements.
- Those already in New Zealand with a valid visa will not be affected by the stricter English requirement rules.
- People holding an Approved Employer Work Visa (AEWV) whose visa expires on or before 1 December 2026 will be exempt from the new English language requirement when applying for a further AEWV at Skill Level 3.
- People on the AEWV who have provided evidence that they can speak and understand English as part of a previous AEWV application will also be exempted.
New Zealand visas: good news for wealthy immigrants
New Zealand will allow wealthy immigrants to count charitable donations towards the investment requirements of its golden visa category. The Minister said that from June 1, applicants in the “Growth” category will be able to provide 20% of a total investment of up to NZ$5 million ($2.9 million) to registered charities and designated conservation initiatives, with the remainder continuing to be invested in high-growth assets.“Last year I met with a number of investors, potential investors and received letters from charities asking for investors to be able to contribute directly to social, environmental, conservation or cultural causes in New Zealand through charitable donations,” Stanford said. “Charities make a valuable contribution to our communities and for many, charitable giving can make a big difference in continuing their important work.“The New Zealand Golden Visa provides residency in exchange for investment. According to Immigration New Zealand, as of May 20, there had been 730 applications involving 2,390 people – with a potential minimum investment of NZ$4.3 billion. About one-third of applicants are from the United States.The growth category requires an investment of NZ$5 million in higher-risk assets such as businesses or managed funds, and immigrants only need to live in the country for 21 days during the three-year investment period. The Balanced Category requires an investment of NZ$10 million over five years in bonds, stocks or certain property portfolios, with a 105-day stay, which can be shortened by investing more.
