NZ tightens English standards for visa applicants

English ‌language requirements ‌under ⁠the Accredited Employer Work Visa will extend ​to skill level 3 roles such as hospitality and trades, aligning them with the existing standard already applied to skill levels 4 and 5.

"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," Stanford said in a statement on Monday.

Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa applications are not subject to the English ​language requirement, ​which also does not ​apply to job change applications.

Active Investor Plus Visa Growth category applicants will be able to allocate up to 20 per cent of their total investment - up to NZ$1 million ($820,000 thousand) of the NZ$5 million ($A4.1 million) ​minimum - to philanthropic gifts, with the remainder in higher-growth ​assets.