Photo: RNZ / Nick James
More than 500 bus drivers submitted a petition to Parliament on Tuesday, urging the government to lower the postgraduate-level English-language requirement for drivers seeking residency.
The submission of the petition follows warnings from the Bus and Coach Association in October that a looming driver shortage could affect transport services nationwide in 2026 unless the government reviewed its postgraduate-level English-language requirement.
To qualify for a skilled residence visa, applicants must achieve at least IELTS 6.5 (general or academic) or meet equivalent scores in tests such as TOEFL iBT (79), PTE Academic (58), B2 First (176) or OE
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