英语语言要求扩大至AEWV技能等级3岗位
移民部长 Erica Stanford 表示，持有认证雇主工作签证（AEWV）的最低英语语言要求将扩展至技能等级3岗位。
从2026年6月1日起，该要求将适用于ANZSCO和国家职业清单（NOL）中的技能等级3职业，与目前技能等级4和5的英语要求保持一致。
Stanford表示，技能等级3岗位目前已成为AEWV申请中占比最大的类别，约占所有申请的一半，而技能等级4和5合计仅占16%。
她指出，具备基础日常英语能力有助于工人在工作及社会生活中理解自身权利并有效沟通。
该标准为现行基础水平（雅思4.0或同等水平），属于能够应对日常简单交流的基本英语能力，而非高级英语水平。
她还表示，随着8月推出两条新的技术移民居留路径，计划通过中等技能岗位移民并希望获得居留权的人，应具备至少基础英语能力，并可在最长5年内达到更高居留英语要求。
新规适用范围：
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适用于2026年6月1日及之后提交的AEWV申请
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适用于签证在2026年12月1日之后到期的现有AEWV持有人，在申请技能等级3续签时
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存在过渡安排，部分签证持有人可获豁免
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已在此前申请中提交英语证明者继续有效，无需重复提供
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季节性工作签证及岗位变更申请不受此要求影响
总结：
新西兰将对中等技能移民工人加强英语要求，以确保基本沟通能力并配合未来居留政策调整。
Minimum English language requirements under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) are being extended to skill level 3 roles, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says.
From 1 June 2026, the requirement will apply to ANZSCO and National Occupation List (NOL) skill level 3 roles, aligning them with the existing English language requirements for skill levels 4 and 5.
“Skill level 3 is now the largest part of the AEWV cohort. Around half of AEWV applications are for skill level 3 roles, compared with 16 per cent for skill levels 4 and 5 combined,” Ms Stanford says.
“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.
“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.
“With the introduction of two new skilled residence pathways in August it is also important that people coming to New Zealand for mid-skilled roles with aspirations for residence arrive with a minimum of basic, everyday English. They will then have up to five years to meet the higher level of English required for residence.
The new requirement will apply to AEWV applications made on or after 1 June 2026 and people who currently hold an AEWV that expires after 1 December 2026 who apply for a further AEWV at skill level 3.
Notes to editor:
From 1 June 2026, minimum English language requirements will apply to ANZSCO and NOL skill level 3 occupations recognised by Immigration New Zealand under the AEWV.
The required standard is the current baseline IELTS 4.0 or equivalent.
Transitional arrangements include AEWV holders whose visas expire on or before 1 December 2026 being exempt from the new English language requirement when applying for a skill level 3 AEWV to obtain the balance of their maximum continuous stay.
AEWV holders who have already provided evidence that they meet minimum English language requirements as part of a previous application will continue to be treated as meeting the requirement.
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.
