Immigration New Zealand has announced a major expansion of its List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA), a move that will streamline visa applications for skilled workers and graduates from nine more countries.
From 23 June 2025, recognised qualifications from India, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Switzerland will be exempt from the mandatory International Qualification Assessment (IQA) process currently required by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
The LQEA is a key tool used by Immigration New Zealand to determine whether overseas qualifications align with New Zealand’s education standards under the New Zealand Qualifications Framework (NZQF).
By being included on the list, applicants from these countries no longer need to undergo the time-consuming and costly IQA, which previously involved a fee of NZD $746 and a processing time of up to 12 weeks. The exemption applies to several skilled visa pathways, including the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List roles, Sector Agreement pathways, and the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
India’s inclusion is particularly significant. It marks the first time a South Asian nation has been added to the LQEA, reflecting increasing policy confidence in the quality and credibility of India’s higher education sector. Indian degrees—especially the commonly offered three-year bachelor’s programs like BSc and BCom—have often faced barriers in Western countries. With this change, qualifications from recognised Indian universities will now be accepted at par with New Zealand qualifications for immigration purposes, removing a major obstacle for skilled Indian applicants.
The change is expected to benefit not only individual applicants but also New Zealand employers. In recent years, some recruiters have stopped shortlisting candidates without IQA-certified qualifications, making it difficult for Indian professionals to break into sectors such as IT, finance, healthcare, and engineering. The updated list is likely to boost employer confidence and expand the talent pool available to them, while also speeding up the hiring process for critical roles.
Immigration New Zealand has also confirmed that the LQEA entries for Australia, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States will be updated to improve clarity and consistency. These updates are part of a broader staged review of the LQEA that began in September 2023, aimed at aligning qualification listings with current Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) residence criteria. The review process includes adding qualification types and removing outdated or no longer relevant qualifications. The updated list ensures that all included qualifications are quality-assured, accredited, and aligned with New Zealand’s immigration needs.
The LQEA was originally limited to a small group of countries and territories, including Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In March 2024, the list expanded to include qualifications from Australia, Canada, China, Fiji, and Japan. With the latest additions from June 2025, the list will cover 21 countries in total. A final expansion phase is planned for 2026, which is expected to bring the number of covered countries to over 25.
The IQA remains mandatory for applicants from countries not on the updated LQEA. This manual assessment ensures that their qualifications meet New Zealand standards before they can submit an Expression of Interest under the SMC or apply for certain work and residence visas. Exceptions also exist for qualifications covered under international engineering agreements like the Washington Accord or Sydney Accord, and for those recognised by professional bodies such as Engineering New Zealand or IT Professionals New Zealand.
Under the current Skilled Migrant Category settings, applicants can claim between three and six points for qualifications at the level of a Bachelor’s degree or higher. The level is determined based on the NZQF equivalence. For example, a Level 7 Bachelor’s degree attracts three points. These points play a key role in determining eligibility for permanent residence and other visa outcomes.
New Zealand’s expansion of the LQEA comes at a time when other traditional destinations for skilled migrants, such as Australia and Canada, are reassessing their immigration and student intake policies. With this change, New Zealand positions itself as a more accessible and responsive option for international talent, particularly from countries like India that are producing a growing number of highly qualified graduates.
Applicants, education agents, and employers are advised to consult the latest version of the LQEA on Immigration New Zealand’s official website or speak with licenced immigration professionals to ensure their qualifications meet current visa requirements. As global education and migration patterns continue to shift, this policy signals New Zealand’s intention to diversify and strengthen its skilled migrant workforce.
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