In a big win for Indian students and professionals, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has officially added India to its “List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment” (LQEA) from June 23, 2025.
This means most Indian degree holders will no longer need to complete the International Qualification Assessment (IQA)—a previously required process that was costly, slow, and time-consuming.
With this exemption, Indian applicants can expect faster and easier visa processing for work, residency, or post-study opportunities in New Zealand.
More Visa Options: India Added to New Zealand’s LQEA for Major Immigration Programs
The update affects several key visa categories, such as the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), Green List roles (including IT experts, engineers, and medical workers), Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWV), and post-study work visas.
While the IQA step is no longer needed, applicants must still meet other main requirements like English language skills and job experience.
India is among nine countries newly added to the LQEA list, along with France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Switzerland.
INZ also updated its qualification recognition standards for countries already on the list—such as the US, UK, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, and South Africa—to ensure fair and consistent rules globally.
Better Prospects for Indian Students and Workers in New Zealand
India has long been one of the top four countries sending international students to New Zealand, with more than 22,000 enrolled in recent years.
This exemption gives Indian students a clearer and more secure path to stay in New Zealand after completing their studies, find jobs, and even settle permanently.
It supports New Zealand’s broader efforts to attract skilled workers, including NZ$260,000 in scholarships under the New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025 and generous post-study work rights of up to three years.
Aritra Ghosal, CEO of OneStep Global, said this move removes a major hurdle and shows growing trust in India’s higher education system.
It also marks a key step forward in boosting global movement for skilled Indian professionals.
