Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that specific degrees from select Indian and Sri Lankan institutions will soon be added to the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA). These changes will take effect from 23 June 2025.
The LQEA is a list of overseas qualifications that do not need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) when applying for certain visas, such as those under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) or for Green List roles. These updates are part of INZ’s ongoing work to simplify the visa process for skilled migrants.
For eligible applicants, this means fewer forms, faster processing, and lower application costs.
It’s not just about the degrees
It’s important to understand that not all degrees are covered, even if they match the required level. To be exempt from an IQA, your qualification must meet all three of the following conditions:
- The qualification title is on the LQEA
- It was awarded by an institution that is specifically named on the list
- It was completed within the approved date range
If your qualification doesn’t match all three criteria, you’ll still need an IQA as part of your visa application.
To check your eligibility, use INZ’s official qualification tool at the end of this webpage
What’s new for Sri Lankan applicants?
From 23 June 2025, a range of degrees from recognised Sri Lankan universities and institutions will be added to the LQEA. This is a positive step forward for many of our Sri Lankan clients, as it opens the door to a faster, simpler visa process.
Recognised Sri Lankan qualifications will include:
- Bachelor’s degrees that take 3 or more years of full-time study
- Master’s degrees (with research) and Master of Philosophy qualifications that involve 2 or more years of full-time study
The following qualifications are not covered:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Public Administration
- Master’s degrees completed by coursework only
So, if you’ve studied in Sri Lanka and your qualification is on the list, from an approved institution, and completed in the correct time period, there’s a good chance you won’t need to apply for an IQA at all. That’s one less thing to worry about when applying for a visa.
You can view the full list of Sri Lankan qualifications and approved institutions exempt from assessment here.
What’s new for Indian applicants?
While the inclusion of Indian qualifications is a step forward, the update is very limited in scope. Only degrees from a small number of recognised institutions have been included. Unfortunately, for many Indian applicants, there will be no change.
From 23 June 2025, the LQEA will include qualifications from:
- Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT)
- Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER)
- National Institutes of Technology
Eligible qualifications from these institutions include:
- Bachelor’s degrees requiring 3 or more years of full-time study
- Master’s degrees requiring 2 or more years of full-time study
As with other countries, MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA) degrees are excluded from the exemption list.
If your degree is from one of the approved Indian institutions and matches the criteria on the LQEA, you may not need an IQA. However, if your qualification is from a university or college not listed, you will still need to apply for an IQA as part of your visa application.
You can view the full list of approved Indian qualifications here.
What about other countries?
In addition to India and Sri Lanka, the LQEA is also being updated to include new qualifications from the following countries:
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sweden
- Switzerland
For countries already on the list, the following have received updates to improve clarity and consistency:
- Australia
- Japan
- Malaysia
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States
These changes help ensure that overseas qualifications are recognised fairly and consistently under New Zealand immigration policy. If you hold a qualification from any of the countries listed above, it’s a good idea to check whether your degree now qualifies for exemption.
Do you still need an IQA?
While these updates will benefit many applicants, it’s important to remember that not all qualifications are exempt. You will still need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) if:
- Your qualification is not listed on the updated LQEA (don’t forget that the year of completion, institution, and degree name all must match)
- You have an engineering degree that is not accredited under the Washington Accord
- You have an engineering technology qualification that is not covered by the Sydney Accord
Also, even if your qualification is listed, INZ may still request an IQA during processing, especially if they need to verify specific knowledge, credits, or registration requirements.
Talk to an Immigration Adviser
At Greenstone Immigration, we understand that even small changes to immigration rules can make a big difference to your plans. Our team of 9 licensed immigration advisers are here to help you understand whether these changes apply to you, and how they could affect your visa application.
We can help you:
- Confirm whether your qualification is exempt
- Avoid unnecessary delays and extra assessment costs
- Prepare a strong, complete visa application
- Understand your options under the Skilled Migrant or Green List pathways
We take the time to understand your unique background and help you make confident, informed decisions. Whether you’re applying from India, Sri Lanka, or anywhere else in the world, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Thinking about applying for a work or residence visa? Contact us today for personalised, expert advice.
Steven Dunning
Licensed Immigration Adviser