Long Term Business Visa - IELTS??

[GregS]

Hi.
I want start my own business in New Zealand and I wonder about Long Term Business Visas.
Are I need pass IELTS tests? Maybe is another option?

Best regards Greg

[JandM]

You don't have to give an IELTS score, if you can show other proof of knowledge of English.

From the INZ operational manual. http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/

BF2 Minimum standards of English

Unless instructions specify otherwise, principal applicants who lodge applications under any business immigration category, meet the minimum standard of English if:
they provide a certificate (no more than 2 years old at the time the application is lodged) from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), which shows an overall band score of at least 4 in the IELTS General or Academic Module; or
they provide evidence that they have an English-speaking background (see BF2.1) which is accepted by a business immigration specialist as meeting the minimum standard of English; or
they provide other evidence which satisfies a business immigration specialist that, taking account of that evidence and all the circumstances of the application, the person meets the minimum standard of English (see BF2.5).
In any case under (a) (ii) or (iii), a business immigration specialist may require an applicant to provide an IELTS certificate in terms of paragraph (a)(i). In such cases, the IELTS certificate will be used to determine whether the applicant meets the minimum standard of English.
Note: IELTS is an international organisation that provides an assessment of ability in English. Its General and Academic Modules provide band totals (test results) showing overall ability as well as performance in listening, reading, writing and speaking.

BF2.1 Evidence of an English-speaking background

Evidence of an English-speaking background is original or certified copies of documents showing:

completion of all primary education and at least 3 years of secondary education (that is, the equivalent of New Zealand Forms 3 to 5 or years 9 to 11) at schools using English as the language of instruction; or
completion of at least 5 years of secondary education (that is, the equivalent of New Zealand Forms 3 to 7 or years 9 to 13) at schools using English as the language of instruction; or
completion of a course of at least 3 years' duration leading to the award of a tertiary qualification at institutions using English as the language of instruction; or
that the applicant holds General Certificate of Education (GCE) 'A' Levels from Britain or Singapore with a minimum C pass (the passes must specifically include the subjects English Language or Literature, or Use of English); or
that the applicant holds an International Baccalaureate – full Diploma in English Medium; or
that the applicant holds a Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English – minimum C pass; or
that the applicant holds Hong Kong Advanced Level Examinations (HKALE) including a minimum C pass in Use of English; or
that the applicant holds STPM 920 (Malaysia) – A or B pass in English Literature; or
that the applicant holds University of Cambridge in collaboration with University of Malaya, General Certificate of English (GCE) "A" levels with a minimum C pass. The passes must specifically include the subjects English or General Paper; or
that the applicant holds a South African Matriculation Certificate, including a minimum D pass in English (Higher Grade); or
that the applicant holds a South African Senior Certificate, including a minimum D pass in English (Higher Grade), endorsed with the words "matriculation exempt"; or
that the applicant holds a New Zealand Tertiary Entrance Qualification gained on completion of the seventh form.

BF2.5 Circumstances that may indicate a person otherwise meets the minimum standard of English

Circumstances that may indicate an applicant meets the minimum standard of English may include but are not limited to:

the country in which the applicant currently resides;
the country(ies) in which the applicant has previously resided;
the duration of residence in each country;
whether the applicant speaks any language other than English;
whether members of the applicant's family speak English
whether members of the applicant's family speak any language other than English;
the nature of the applicant's current or previous employment (if any) and whether it required or was likely to have required skill in English language;
the nature of the applicant's qualifications (if any) and whether the obtaining of those qualifications was likely to have required skill in English language.