The New Zealand government yesterday announced changes to their Residence Programme. These changes will affect the Skilled Migrant and Parent Category. The Skilled Migrant Category This category within the New Zealand Residence Programme is points based. The government have increased the number of point you need to reach from 140 to 160. The English Language requirement Receiving permanent residence to New Zealand under the Skilled Migrant category requires applicant to show they meet the minimum English language requirement. You can show this by having an overall score of 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Otherwise you can have evidence through one of the alternatives, however the alternatives have changed as of today to the following: •Citizenship of Canada, the Republic of Ireland, the UK, or USA provided the applicant has spent at least five years in work or education in one or more of those countries or Australia or New Zealand •A recognized qualification comparable to a NZ level 7 bachelor’s degree either gained in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the UK or USA as a result of study undertaken for at least two academic years in one or more of these countries •A recognised qualification comparable to a New Zealand qualification at level 8 or above gained in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the UK, USA as a result of study undertaken for at least one academic year in one or more of these countries However more English tests will soon be available If you cannot use one of the alternatives there will be more ways to show you reach English language requirement from November 21st 2016. The additional tests will be: •Test of English as a foreign Language internet Based test (TOEFL iBT) •Occupational English Test (OET) •Cambridge English: First (FCE) and FCE for Schools •Pearson Test of English: Academic (PTE: Academic The Parent Category is temporarily closed Until further notice Immigration New Zealand will not be making selections from this category. This is because the cap of who can apply under the Parent Category has been reduced. There are already sufficient numbers to fill the cap from existing applicants. Immigration New Zealand state that they for see the Parent Category being closed until after the end of the 2017/18 financial year.