Key Highlights
- Background: Who and What is the IQA, and Why is it Important?
- The Policy Change: India Joins the LQEA
- What Does This Imply for Applicants?
- What was the Reason that New Zealand Changed?
- Impact on Indian Students and Skilled Migrants
- Further Implications of NZ and India Wide
- How to Check If Your Degree Is Eligible?
- Recent and Recent Relational Developments
- Conclusion
New Zealand has made a historic move by easing it immigration process to Indian nationals, with the effect that it is much simpler in terms of the immigration process of receiving students and immigrants of high calibre in the country. With the elimination of the requirement that degree qualifications awarded in India need to undergo mandatory International Qualification Assessment (IQA), New Zealand will not only be acknowledging the increasing standards of the Indian education system but will also be able to be in a strong position to attract global talent. This step has been effective since June 23, 2025, is going to be beneficial to thousands of Indian applicants each year and will reveal a new era in educational and migration relationships between India and New Zealand.
Background: Who and What is the IQA, and Why is it Important?
The International Qualification Assessment (also known as IQA) is an official benchmarking procedure deployed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (known as NZQA in short). It is meant to establish whether a foreign qualification fulfils the academic standards in New Zealand. It used to be compulsory previously for most of the overseas applicants, with the exception of a few countries of the Anglosphere, including the UK, the US, and Australia.
To the Indian student and Indian workforce, the IQA process entailed an extra paperwork fee of $746 and 8 to 12 weeks of waiting time, which in many instances meant a big delay in the issuance of a visa and, in several instances, foregone opportunities. Even more in 2023-24, the IQA queue was cited as the first cause of delays to Indian skilled worker visas, ahead of inadequacies in the English language skills of Indian applicants.
Also Read: New Zealand Tightens Rules for Foreign Worker for Sponsors
The Policy Change: India Joins the LQEA
New Zealand internationally opened its List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA) on June 23, 2025, to include India and eight other countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Switzerland. It is the first instance when a South Asian nation has been included as the country, and here New Zealand is learning to appreciate education reforms and university standards in India.
What Does This Imply for Applicants?
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No IQA Needed: The holder of a degree in India (and of the newly located countries) who applies for the key categories of visas, namely, the Skilled Migrant Category, the Green List and the Accredited Employer Work Visa, will not be required to go through the IQA exercise.
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Better Speed: The elimination of the IQA step implies that the processing will be much faster, with the applicants occupying a greater space in the visa pipeline.
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Reduced Expenses: New Zealand is a cheaper and preferable place of study and work as applicants who pass the application process save the IQA fee and the long waiting period of the assessment process.
What was the Reason that New Zealand Changed?
The move by New Zealand is informed as part of an overall policy to draw high-quality global students and skilled professionals, especially those in the rapidly improving educational systems. India has been ranked as one of the top four international student source countries in New Zealand, and the total Indian students availing themselves in recent years has been more than 22,000. First-time student visas, where Indians are concerned, grew by 63 per cent in 2019 and still expand further, as Indian students are no longer showing interest in the traditional destinations.
Such a change of policy is also consistent with the attempt by New Zealand to:
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Improve Maintainability: The LQEA update would also provide a revision of the listing of Australia, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, the UK and the US to enhance transparency and fairness in the determination of qualification recognition.
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Become Part of LQEA: India: Having been included in the LQEA, the country can be considered as having lower education reform and the quality of Indian universities.
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Attract Talent: By removing barriers, New Zealand aims to attract more Indian students and skilled migrants, supporting its population growth and economic needs
Also Read: New Zealand Changes Criteria For Accredited Employer Work Visa
Impact on Indian Students and Skilled Migrants
Here is the impact on Indian students and skilled migrants:
For Students:
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Simplified application: Indian students who had their degrees recognised no longer have to go through IQA, which simplifies and hastens the application process.
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Scholarship Opportunities: New Zealand has recently announced a NZD 260,000 scholarship fund via the New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025, with a maximum of NZD 20,000 per student, both at bachelor's and master's degrees.
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Extra Work Rights: International graduates, such as Indians, have the right to extend their stay in the UK up to 3 years after their studies to provide them with employment experience to boost their careers.
In the case of Skilled Migrants:
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Efficient Entry Procedures: Some of the important categories of migration, including the Skilled Migrant Category and Accredited Employer Work Visa, are exempted; thus, the Indian professionals are able to contribute to the New Zealand labour market.
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Fewer Delays: The primary source of delay will be removed, and talented employees are likely to have their visas approved much more quickly.
Further Implications of NZ and India-Wide
There will be even stronger educational and economic relations between India and New Zealand due to this policy change. It makes New Zealand a more viable, friendly and competitive place for Indian talent around the globe. This action also informs other nations that New Zealand is ready to consider international education reforms and change the immigration regulations to reflect the same.
How to Check If Your Degree Is Eligible?
The applicants are to ensure that their degree certificate is from a recognised institution on the NZQA list. Although the exemption is wide-ranging in terms of qualification, it is paramount to consider whether one will meet the qualification first before filing.
Recent and Recent Relational Developments
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Updates in Post-Study Work Visa: New Zealand has updated its policy of post-study work visa so that international students can now submit an application within 12 months of completing their study, and have the option of combining qualifications to meet the eligibility requirement.
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Specific Outreach: Low visa charges, low living expenses, transparent migration avenues, and specific outreach are making New Zealand an increasingly favourite destination among Indian students.
Also Read: New Zealand: Pacific Access Category, Samoan Quota Ballot Dates
Conclusion
The move by New Zealand to accept the Indian qualifications without having to undergo an International Qualification Assessment is a strategic moment for the two nations. New Zealand is making its doors ajar to its Indian students and skilled manpower by eliminating the single biggest bureaucratic barrier. This step is improving educational and economic relations. The step not only recognises the advancement made in the higher education system of India but also establishes a new standard of the talent flow across the globe. To the Indian applicants, the gateway to study, work and settle in New Zealand has never been brighter and closer.
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