From 23 June 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) will update and broaden the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment, offering a more efficient route for visa applicants with overseas qualifications.
This update introduces qualifications from nine additional countries, meaning applicants from these nations may no longer need to undergo an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) when applying for certain visa categories, including the Skilled Migrant Category and select work visas.
The new countries being added are:
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France
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Germany
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India
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Italy
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Singapore
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South Korea
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Sri Lanka
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Sweden
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Switzerland
To qualify for exemption, the applicant’s qualification and institution must be specifically listed. The updated list will also indicate how many qualification points can be claimed under the Skilled Migrant Category.
Furthermore, revisions will also be made to existing entries for Australia, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, ensuring these remain up to date.
This change marks a significant step toward simplifying the application process for many international professionals seeking to live and work in New Zealand.
To find out if you could be eligible for a Skilled Work or Resident Visa, start by filling out our short Eligibility Assessment Form.
