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<\/p>\nThe government is extending the minimum English language requirements under the Accredited Employer Work Visa.<\/p>\n
From the beginning of next month, the language requirement will apply to ANZSCO and National Occupation List (NOL) skill level 3 roles.<\/p>\n
The NOL groups jobs together into occupations with skill level ranges from 1-5.<\/p>\n
Examples of level 1 are a chief sustainability officer or head chef\/executive chef, while level 3 occupations include peer support worker or ski Patroller.<\/p>\n
Applying the requirement to level 3 roles will align them with the existing English language requirements for skill levels 4 and 5.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\nImmigration Minister Erica Stanford says it is important that people coming to NZ for “mid-skilled roles with aspirations for residence” arrive with a “minimum of basic, everyday English”.
\nPhoto: RNZ\/Nick Monro\n<\/p>\n
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said skill level 3 was now the largest part of the AEWV cohort.<\/p>\n
“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,” said Stanford.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
She said with the introduction of two new skilled residence pathways in August it was important that people coming to New Zealand for “mid-skilled roles with aspirations for residence” arrive with a “minimum of basic, everyday English”.<\/p>\n
“They will then have up to five years to meet the higher level of English required for residence.”<\/p>\n
Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa AEWV applications were not required to meet the minimum standard of English.<\/p>\n
The government was also expanding the Active Investor Growth category to include a philanthropic component.<\/p>\n
From 1 June this year, applicants in the Growth category would be able to include philanthropic gifts of up to 20 percent of their total investment.<\/p>\n
This option is currently available in the Balanced category, but not in Growth, which attracts the most applications.<\/p>\n
“This expansion retains the Grown category’s focus on active investment, while recognising that philanthropy also supports positive outcomes for communities alongside strong economic investment,” Stanford said.<\/p>\n