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WELLINGTON: New Zealand yesterday significantly toughened its language
requirements for people planning to emigrate here.
Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel said with immediate effect applicants under
a general skills category will have to pass a test showing they have enough
English knowledge to cope with study for a doctorate at a university.
Previously applicants had to show enough skills to handle the equivalent of
secondary school study.
Immigration officials predicted about 9,000 people who gained residency in the
category last year would not be able to pass the new test.
The move came in the midst of political debate here over whether the country is
taking too many migrants while at the same time large numbers of fee paying
students from China are studying here.
Dalziel said the changes would protect both migrants and New Zealand's economic
interests.
"It is unfair for people to be able to come here believing their English skills
equip them fully for life in New Zealand, and then find that they cannot
communicate well enough to get a good job," she said.
The government aims for around 50,000 immigrants to enter the country each year.
A point system is used in the general skills category to assess skills and other
factors. At the moment applicants must have at least 30 points to qualify and
Dalziel expected this "high" number to come down in order to meet the
government's quota. - AFP
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