[ragupathi_ece]

Hi Everyone,
I have planned to submit EOI in 1 month. I am from INDIA. Non english speaking country. so my question is, Do I have to take IELTS exam?

My medium of education for 18 years in english.
I have travelled to United States for 6 months to work there.
I have experience in IT industry for 3.6 years in a multi National company.

so upon above mentioned criterias, Do I need IELTS exam?

Thanks in Advance
Ragu:roll

[IanW99]

For a definitive answer we need to know a little more about your circumstances e.g. are you applying for the Skilled Migrant category and are you the principle applicant?

For example, if it were the Skilled Migrant category then the following is likely to be applicable:-

ii they provide evidence that their recognised qualification(s):
* was gained as a result of a course or courses of study in which English was the only medium of instruction;

Although work in a country that uses english (USA) would certainly help, not sure if 6 months would be considered long enough?

c. In any case, a visa or immigration officer may require an applicant to provide an IELTS certificate in terms of paragraph (b)(i). In such cases, the IELTS certificate will be used to determine whether the principal applicant* meets the minimum standard of English.

So regardless of your situation, you may still be required to provide an IELTS certificate.

Ian

[ragupathi_ece]

Thanks for the reply Ian.
yea I am applying in skilled migrant category. I am the principle applicant.
my course of study is only in medium of English.

[speckythecky]

From what you have said, I think you will require to sit the IELTS.

[IanW99]

Hi Ragu, this is the section that you will be interested in then (Skilled Migrant Principal Applicant).

SM5.5 Minimum standard of English language for principal applicants*
a. Applications under the Skilled Migrant Category must be declined if the principal applicant* has not met the minimum standard of English.

b. Principal applicants* under the Skilled Migrant Category meet the minimum standard of English if:
i they provide a Test Report Form (no more than 2 years old at the time the application is lodged*) from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), showing they achieved an overall band score of at least 6.5 in the IELTS General or Academic Module; or
ii they provide evidence that their recognised qualification(s):
* was gained as a result of a course or courses of study in which English was the only medium of instruction; and
* (if that qualification was gained in New Zealand) the qualification had a minimum completion time of at least two years or it is a post-graduate qualification and the applicant has an undergraduate qualification that qualifies for points; or
iii they have current skilled employment in New Zealand for a period of at least 12 months that qualifies for points (see SM7); or
iv they provide other evidence which satisfies a visa or immigration officer that, taking account of that evidence and all the circumstances of the application, they are a competent user of English. These circumstances 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 that is or was likely to require skill in English language;
* the nature of the applicant's qualifications (if any) and whether the obtaining of those qualifications was likely to require skill in the English language.

c. In any case, a visa or immigration officer may require an applicant to provide an IELTS certificate in terms of paragraph (b)(i). In such cases, the IELTS certificate will be used to determine whether the principal applicant* meets the minimum standard of English.

The rules seem a little ambiguous to me, so can't really advise either way.

What they are trying to determine is if you are competent in English, if you are then you simply need to prove it.

If you are not sure from the above information, would suggest that you have the answers to b) iv. ready e.g. worked in US for 6 months from x to y and phone NZIS to confirm whether you need an IELTS?

Ian

[ragupathi_ece]

thanks Ian ...I will try to contact NZIM and get clarified...Thanks for the reply