Check if you need to apply for an International Qualification Assessment

Your overseas qualification may need to be assessed for your visa application unless it is listed on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment.

Qualifications for work

International Qualification Assessment (IQA)

If the visa you are applying for has requirements around qualifications, you may need to apply to have your overseas qualifications assessed.

The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) carry out these assessments. You apply to NZQA for an International Qualification Assessment (IQA).

Check the exemption list first

Check the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA) to find out if you need an IQA. The LQEA shows the equivalent level (or level and type) of some overseas qualifications against the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework. 

If your qualification is in the LQEA

If your qualification is listed in the exemptions, you may not need to apply for an IQA.

Even if your qualifications are on the exemption list, when we process your application we may still ask you to get an IQA if the visa requirement is to show credit or knowledge rather than type or level.

If your qualification is not in the LQEA

If your qualification not listed in the exemptions, you will need to submit the results of an IQA with your visa application.

The list of qualifications exempt from assessment that applies depends on your visa type, and sometimes, the date of your expression of interest.

Find the exemptions for your visa

For these visas:

  • Accredited Employer Work Visa
  • Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
  • Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa – EOI submitted on or after 9 October 2023
  • Straight to Residence Visa
  • Transport Work to Residence Visa
  • Work to Residence Visa

These are the lists of qualifications exempt from assessment:

Hong Kong – Appendix 17 – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment PDF 98KB

Ireland – Appendix 17 – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment PDF 105KB

Malaysia – Appendix 17 – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment PDF 97KB

Philippines – Appendix 17 – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment PDF 134KB

South Africa – Appendix 17 – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment PDF 109KB

United Kingdom – Appendix 17 – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment PDF 252KB

United States of America – Appendix 17 – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment PDF 847KB

For these visas:

  • China Skilled Work Visa
  • Skilled Migrant Category visa – EOI submitted by 16 August 2023

Refer to Appendix 3 of our Operations Manual to find the appropriate country:

Appendix 3 – Operations Manual

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