New Zealand tightens English standards, widens philanthropy options for visas

WELLINGTON, May 25 (Reuters) - ‌New Zealand ​will ​tighten English language rules for mid-skilled work visa applicants while expanding philanthropy options ‌for investor migrants, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford said ⁠on Monday.

The changes, effective from June 1, cover the ‌Accredited Employer Work Visa ‌and the Active Investor Plus Visa Growth category. The government is also preparing to introduce two ​new skilled residence pathways in August.

• 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," Sanford said in a statement.

• 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% of their total ‌investment — up to NZ$1 million ($587,600) of the NZ$5 ⁠million minimum — to philanthropic ‌gifts, with the ​remainder in higher-growth assets.

($1 = 1.7018 New Zealand dollars)

(Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Edmund ‌Klamann)

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