New Zealand Eases Visa Process for Degree Holders from Select Countries
Immigration New Zealand has announced a major update to its List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA), allowing degree holders from several countries to bypass the International Qualification Assessment (IQA) step in certain visa applications.
Applicants from India, France, Germany, Italy, Sri Lanka, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, and Switzerland will now benefit from the exemption for specific qualifications and institutions. The change applies to popular immigration pathways such as the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List, and the Accredited Employer Work Visa.
Updates will also be made for qualifications from Australia, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, the UK, and the US, to improve consistency and clarity.
Immigration consultants have welcomed the move, saying it reduces red tape, costs, and processing delays. “An IQA can take weeks or even months, and often adds stress and extra costs,” said Arunima Dhingra, CEO of Aims Global Immigration. “This change is not only practical—it’s timely.”
The exemption is especially significant for countries like India and Sri Lanka, key international student markets. According to Kajal Bhimani of Look Education New Zealand, the IQA process could previously add 2–3 months to a student’s timeline, often forcing them to defer their studies.
New Zealand has seen a 24% rise in international enrolments year-on-year, and this exemption aims to support that growth. India is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries, aligning with the country’s efforts to deepen ties with New Zealand. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s recent visit to India included announcements of NZ$260,000 in partial scholarships under the 2025 New Zealand Excellence Awards.
“India is New Zealand’s largest source of skilled migrants,” said Luxon, also highlighting the Indian community as the country’s third-largest ethnic group. The changes are seen as part of a wider strategy to make New Zealand more accessible to highly qualified individuals.
However, the government continues to take a cautious approach overall, with recent changes tightening post-study work rights for lower-skilled roles and reducing maximum stays from five years to three.
Despite this, immigration experts say the LQEA update marks a clear step toward making New Zealand a more attractive and efficient destination for global talent.
