In a major boost for Indian professionals and students, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has officially added India to its “List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment” (LQEA) as of June 23, 2025. This move eliminates the need for most Indian degree holders to undergo the International Qualification Assessment (IQA), a mandatory, expensive, and time-consuming step previously required to validate foreign qualifications for immigration. With this exemption, Indian applicants seeking work, residency, or post-study opportunities in New Zealand will experience significantly faster and smoother visa processing.

Expanded Visa Access: India Joins LQEA List for Key New Zealand Immigration Pathways

This change applies to several key immigration pathways, including the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), Green List roles (such as IT professionals, engineers, and healthcare workers), Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV), and post-study work visa routes. While the IQA requirement has been waived, applicants must still meet other core criteria, such as English proficiency and relevant work experience.

India is one of nine new countries added to the LQEA list, joining the likes of France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Switzerland. INZ also updated qualification recognition standards for countries already on the list, such as Australia, the UK, the US, Japan, Malaysia, and South Africa, to promote global consistency.

Boost for Indian Students and Skilled Migrants in New Zealand

India has consistently ranked among New Zealand’s top four sources of international students, with over 22,000 enrolments in recent years. The exemption opens a clearer, more reliable pathway for these students to remain in the country after graduation, pursue employment, and potentially settle long term. This development complements New Zealand’s broader efforts to attract skilled migrants, including NZ$260,000 in scholarships through the New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025 and generous post-study work rights of up to three years.

According to Aritra Ghosal, CEO of OneStep Global, this decision removes a long-standing procedural barrier and affirms confidence in India’s higher education system—marking a pivotal step in improving global mobility for Indian talent.

Summary:

New Zealand has added India to its List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment, removing the need for IQA for most Indian degree holders. This change streamlines visa processes for work, study, and residency. It boosts opportunities for Indian students and skilled migrants, reflecting growing trust in India’s education system.