Passport to Paradise: New Zealand Eases Entry for Indian Students & Migrants

New Zealand has opened new doors for Indian professionals and students with a landmark policy change. Effective June 23, 2025, India joins eight other countries on New Zealand’s elite “List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment” (LQEA), eliminating the previously mandatory International Qualification Assessment (IQA) for most Indian degree holders.

 

Key Highlights:

 

•⁠  ⁠Simplified Process: Indian applicants with degrees from recognized institutions can now apply for skilled migration, Green List roles, and Accredited Employer Work Visas without undergoing the costly and time-consuming IQA process.

 

•⁠  ⁠Faster Pathways: This change accelerates visa processing, making it easier and quicker for Indian talent to access residency, work, and long-term settlement in New Zealand.

 

•⁠  ⁠Broader Inclusion: Degrees from France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Switzerland are also newly exempt, with existing exemptions for Australia, the US, the UK, Japan, Malaysia, and South Africa revised for consistency.

 

•⁠  ⁠Boost for Indian Students: India is the first South Asian country to be included, reflecting growing recognition of its education standards. Over 22,000 Indian students are currently enrolled in New Zealand, with numbers rising due to attractive post-study work rights and scholarships.

 

•⁠  ⁠Strategic Talent Attraction: The move is part of New Zealand’s strategy to attract global talent, offering faster, more transparent migration pathways for skilled migrants and students.

 

Outlook:

This policy shift positions New Zealand as a top destination for Indian professionals and students, streamlining access and reinforcing its commitment to global talent integration.

 

Sources: Times of India, Business Today, Economic Times