Indian qualifications now accepted in New Zealand without IQA for migration, study, jobs

Dubai: In a major update for Indian nationals, New Zealand has officially recognised Indian qualifications for immigration and study purposes, starting June 23, 2025.

This means that many Indian degree holders applying for New Zealand visas will no longer be required to undergo an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) — a formal benchmarking process that previously verified whether a foreign qualification met the country’s academic standards.

This development significantly speeds up visa processing, cuts costs, and enhances job opportunities for Indian applicants—especially those seeking entry under skilled and student visa categories.

The List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA) maintained by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has been expanded to include India and eight other countries: France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Holders of approved degrees from these countries applying under key categories such as:

Previously, only qualifications from a limited group of countries—mainly English-speaking or OECD nations—were exempt. India is the first South Asian country to be added to the LQEA, marking a major step forward in international recognition of Indian higher education reforms.

For UAE-based Indian expats considering migration or study in New Zealand, this change offers a faster and more cost-effective pathway. The IQA process, which is carried out by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), was both time-consuming and expensive. Its removal means applicants can now focus on meeting job or university entry requirements directly, without additional academic evaluation.

This policy change aligns with New Zealand’s broader push to attract more Indian students. India is already among the top four source countries for international students in New Zealand, with more than 22,000 enrolments in recent years.

Additional efforts include:

Indian students are increasingly exploring non-traditional study destinations, and New Zealand’s appeal continues to grow, thanks to its affordable living, lower visa fees, and clear post-study migration pathways.

Besides India and the eight newly added countries, New Zealand has also revised qualification listings for countries already on the LQEA — including Australia, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, the UK, and the US — to improve clarity and consistency in immigration assessments.

With this move, New Zealand is reinforcing its image as a welcoming and accessible destination for global talent — and Indian expats are clearly on the radar.