Visa & immigration guide
IELTS for New Zealand — Visa & Immigration Requirements
IELTS for New Zealand: Skilled Migrant Category, work visas, and residence pathways. See score thresholds, check your scores, and start practice.
Accepted for
- Skilled Migrant Category (SMC)
- Accredited Employer Work Visa
- Residence from Work
Score thresholds
| Requirement | Minimum | Per-skill targets |
|---|---|---|
Skilled Migrant Category — minimum Individual band minimums may apply depending on visa type. | 6.5 overall | Listening 6.5+ Reading 6.5+ Writing 6.5+ Speaking 6.5+ |
Check your scores
Enter your practice or official test scores to see whether you appear to meet common requirements.
Skilled Migrant Category — minimum
Scores appear below this threshold
Improve: listening, reading, writing, speaking (min 6.5 overall).
Start practicePlanning reference only
Requirements change by program, faculty, and intake. Always confirm current rules with official immigration or admissions sources before applying.
Data version: new-zealand-visa-2026-06-30