English Language Requirements Extended to AEWV Skill Level 3 Roles
From 1 June 2026, Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) applicants in ANZSCO or National Occupation List (NOL) skill level 3 occupations must meet minimum English language requirements, with targeted transitional exemptions for current AEWV holders.
Key points
- ✓From 1 June 2026, AEWV applicants at ANZSCO or NOL skill level 3 must show they can speak and understand English.
- ✓Requirements can be met through citizenship, work and study history, or an approved English language test.
- ✓Global Workforce Seasonal Visa, Peak Seasonal Visa, and Job Change applications are exempt.
- ✓AEWV holders whose visas expire on or before 1 December 2026 are exempt when applying for a further AEWV at skill level 3.
- ✓Applicants who already provided English evidence in a previous AEWV application are also exempt.
- ✓New requirements apply from 1 June even if the employer received a job check token before that date.
From 1 June 2026, minimum English language requirements for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) will extend to ANZSCO and National Occupation List (NOL) skill level 3 occupations.
Currently, AEWV applicants at skill level 4 or 5 must show they can speak and understand English. They can meet this through citizenship, work and study history, or by taking an approved English language test.
From 1 June 2026, people applying for an AEWV at ANZSCO or NOL skill level 3 will also need to meet this requirement.
INZ says extending English language requirements supports better integration, helps migrants understand their rights and obligations, and makes it easier to raise concerns about non-compliant employers.
Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa AEWV applications are not required to meet the minimum standard of English, and the requirement does not apply to Job Change applications.
No one with a current AEWV will be affected retrospectively while their visa is valid. Targeted transitional arrangements apply: people with an AEWV expiring on or before 1 December 2026 are exempt from the new requirement when applying for a further AEWV at skill level 3, and people who have already provided English evidence in a previous AEWV application are also exempt.
For migrants, the change does not affect existing visas, employment, or current lengths of stay. The transitional arrangements give people already in the workforce time to arrange and sit a test before their visas expire.
For employers, the change provides greater consistency across skill levels and allows forward planning when recruiting into skill level 3 roles from 1 June 2026.
Migrants who apply for an AEWV at skill level 3 from 1 June onwards will need to meet the new English language requirements, even if their employer received a job check token before 1 June 2026.
If you are applying for or renewing an AEWV in a skill level 3 role, contact us to confirm how the new requirements and exemptions apply to your situation.
Information on this page is for general guidance only. Always refer to Immigration New Zealand for authoritative requirements.
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Our licensed advisers in Auckland can assess your specific situation.