Latest news with #ListofQualificationsExemptfromAssessment
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
New Zealand eases student visa rules for Indians: What changes now
In a relief for Indian students who are increasingly looking at New Zealand as one of their top higher education destinations, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has removed a long-standing requirement that slowed down visa processing for thousands. From June 23, 2025, India has been added to the 'List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment' (LQEA), removing the need for most Indian degree holders to undergo the costly and time-consuming International Qualification Assessment (IQA). 'The LQEA list is part of our commitment to create a more efficient and transparent system for skilled migrants,' said INZ in a statement. The exemption is expected to speed up visa decisions for Indians applying under work, residence and post-study immigration routes. 'New Zealand's decision to add India to the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment is a step toward streamlining the pathway for Indian students and skilled professionals. By removing the need for an additional qualification assessment, the process becomes faster, more affordable, and more student-friendly,' Mayank Maheswari, co-founder and COO at University Living, a global student accommodation platform told Business Standard. What changes for Indian applicants The IQA, used to match foreign degrees to New Zealand's academic framework, was previously mandatory for most skilled migrant applications. With India's inclusion in the LQEA: Most degrees from recognised Indian universities are now accepted without additional assessment IQA exemption applies to: — skilled migrant category (SMC) visa applicants — green list roles (engineers, healthcare workers, ICT professionals) — accredited employer work visa (AEWV) applicants — post-study work visa applicants Applicants must still meet other conditions, including English language scores and relevant experience. India is one of nine new countries added to the list, alongside France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Switzerland. New Zealand's growing popularity with Indian students New Zealand is gaining traction as a preferred study destination for Indian students. Between January and August 2024, enrolments from India grew 34 per cent to 10,640, up from 7,930 in the full year of 2023, according to New Zealand Education. "New Zealand provides welcoming policies, globally recognised universities and developing post-study work possibilities. It also offers strong ties with India and an exceptional quality of life,' IDP Education said in a recent report. According to Global Finance's 2025 report, New Zealand ranks 12th among the world's happiest countries. It also topped Remote's Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025 and stands third on the Global Peace Index, offering a safe and supportive environment for students. Education New Zealand data shows that Indian students now make up 11 per cent of international university enrolments, second only to Chinese students. The University Living report Beyond Beds & Benches—Decoding ANZ's Education System describes New Zealand's universities as 'globally respected for academic excellence, research innovation and real-world skills.' 'These institutions offer diverse programmes across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels, drawing students from around the world,' said Maheswari. An edge in the global talent race Immigration experts say the exemption is part of a broader effort by New Zealand to simplify processes and stand out in a competitive global market for skilled workers. 'With global mobility rising, especially in STEM and business fields, streamlined systems can give countries like New Zealand an edge over Australia, the UK and Canada,' said Aritra Ghosal, founder and CEO at OneStep Global. 'Until now, Indian degree holders had to undergo the IQA—a time-consuming, costly and often opaque process. This exemption removes a procedural hurdle, allowing faster visa processing and greater certainty for applicants. It also reflects confidence in the rigour of Indian higher education,' Ghosal told Business Standard. Mamta Shekhawat, founder of said the move shows 'profound faith' in Indian academic credentials. 'This will help fulfil thousands of dreams, making New Zealand an ideal and accessible destination. The changes will reduce financial stress and delays in processing,' she told Business Standard. New Zealand's academic rankings and affordability All eight New Zealand universities feature in the QS World University Rankings 2026: University of Auckland (#65) University of Otago (#197) Massey University (#230) Victoria University of Wellington (#240) University of Canterbury (#261) University of Waikato (#281) Lincoln University (#407) Auckland University of Technology (AUT) (#410) IDP Education said the country offers excellence in fields such as data science, engineering, business analytics, nursing, education and hospitality. The annual cost of education ranges from NZD 20,000 to 40,000 (about ₹10.3 lakh to ₹20.6 lakh per year), making it more affordable than the US and UK, and comparable to Australia and Canada. Post-study work policies support long-term plans New Zealand's post-study work (PSW) visa policy is another draw for international students. As of March 2025, the unemployment rate stands at 5.1 per cent. International students who complete at least 30 weeks of Master's or PhD studies in New Zealand can stay and work for three years. Since late 2024, students pursuing shorter, stackable qualifications are also eligible. For example, a student completing a 30-week postgraduate diploma (Level 8) followed by a Master's can still access the full PSW benefit. With around 270,000 Indians residing in New Zealand, students can find cultural familiarity and community support, along with expanding professional networks after graduation.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
30-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
New Zealand approves Indian degrees for faster work and study visa
Good news! Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has scrapped a long-standing barrier for Indian professionals and students. From June 23, 2025, India joins the 'List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment' (LQEA), removing the need for most Indian degree holders to undergo the costly and time-consuming International Qualification Assessment (IQA). The decision is expected to speed up visa processing for Indians applying under work, residency and study-linked immigration routes. 'The LQEA list is part of our commitment to create a more efficient and transparent system for skilled migrants,' said INZ in a statement. What changes for Indian applicants The IQA, which mapped foreign degrees to New Zealand's academic standards, was mandatory for many skilled migrant applications. With the exemption now in place, most degrees from recognised Indian universities will be accepted without this assessment. This change applies to: — Skilled migrant category (SMC) visa applicants — Green list roles (such as engineers, ICT professionals and healthcare workers) — Accredited employer work visa (AEWV) routes — Post-study work visa applicants Applicants will still need to meet other eligibility requirements, including English language proficiency and relevant work experience. Other countries also added India is one of nine new countries added to the LQEA list. Others include: — France — Germany — Italy — Singapore — South Korea — Sri Lanka — Sweden — Switzerland INZ has also revised existing qualification exemptions for countries such as Australia, the UK, the US, Japan, Malaysia and South Africa to ensure consistency across regions. Why this matters for India India has consistently ranked among New Zealand's top four source countries for international students, with over 22,000 enrolments in recent years. The new exemption could give many of these students a clearer path to work and settle in the country after graduation. New Zealand has also taken several steps recently to boost its appeal: — The New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025 offers NZ$260,000 in scholarships, with individual grants of up to NZ$20,000 — Post-study work rights allow graduates to stay and work for up to three years — Visa fees and documentation requirements remain competitive compared to other countries India's inclusion in the LQEA marks a structural shift in how Indian qualifications are treated within global mobility systems, said Aritra Ghosal, founder and CEO at OneStep Global. 'Until now, Indian degree holders were mandated to undergo the IQA—a time-consuming, costly, and often opaque process that acted as a barrier for many students and skilled professionals. The exemption removes a major procedural hurdle, allowing for faster visa processing, reduced financial burden, and greater certainty for applicants—particularly those targeting skilled migration or post-study work routes. It also reflects a broader policy confidence in the rigour and recognition of Indian higher education,' Ghosal told Business Standard. Mamta Shekhawat, founder of called the move a 'welcoming opportunity' for Indian applicants. 'New Zealand has effectively rolled out a welcoming opportunity, showing its profound faith in the Indian education system and degrees. This will help fulfil thousands of dreams, making New Zealand an ideal, accessible and desirable destination to study for young minds looking for global opportunities. The changes will significantly reduce both the financial impact and delays in processing times and support Indian applicants to engage in global aspirations,' Shekhawat told Business Standard. Mayank Maheswari, co-founder and COO at University Living, said the decision was part of New Zealand's broader strategy to attract international talent. 'It also reflects New Zealand's growing recognition of Indian academic credentials and its broader commitment to attracting global talent,' he said. Bigger competition for global talent The exemption is also being seen as part of a wider move by New Zealand to reposition itself in the global race for talent. Immigration experts said that by simplifying the process, INZ is sending a clear message to young professionals: New Zealand wants you. 'The qualification recognition bottleneck has often discouraged skilled applicants,' said Ravi Menon, a licensed immigration adviser in Auckland. 'This update restores confidence and reduces friction.' With the global mobility of skilled workers increasing, particularly in STEM and business fields, faster and fairer processing systems could give New Zealand a fresh edge over rivals like Australia, the UK, and Canada.
Time of India
27-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
No more red tape: New Zealand grants direct visa access to Indian degree-holders
New Zealand visa made easy for Indian students In a landmark policy recalibration, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has made a pivotal decision that will dramatically ease the bureaucratic burden for thousands of Indian professionals and students. Effective 23 June 2025, India joins eight other nations on New Zealand's prestigious 'List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment' (LQEA). This move eliminates the previously mandatory International Qualification Assessment (IQA) for most Indian degree-holders, accelerating their access to New Zealand's skilled migration and work visa streams. A bureaucratic bottleneck removed The IQA, formerly a gatekeeper in the immigration process, was a time-consuming and costly requirement that mapped foreign qualifications onto New Zealand's academic framework. With the latest inclusion of India in the LQEA, this cumbersome step is now obsolete for most degree-holders from recognised Indian institutions. Degrees from countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Switzerland have also been included in this exemption. Simultaneously, INZ will revise and harmonise existing exemptions for nations like Australia, the US, the UK, Japan, Malaysia, and South Africa, further reinforcing parity and transparency in its migration pathways. Fast-tracked pathways for skilled talent This change is more than just administrative housekeeping; it's a strategic recalibration of New Zealand's talent pipeline. Applicants from newly included LQEA countries can now apply directly under the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List roles, and Accredited Employer Work Visa schemes. These are not merely immigration categories; they are fast lanes to residency, employment, and, ultimately, long-term integration. For India, which has consistently remained one of New Zealand's top four international student markets, with over 22,000 enrolments in recent years, the implications are profound. A magnet for Indian aspirants New Zealand has already taken significant strides to woo Indian talent through a suite of initiatives: The New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025, with a funding pool of NZ$260,000, offers up to NZ$20,000 per student for bachelor's and master's programmes. Post-study work rights allow graduates to remain in the country for up to three years, offering valuable work experience and a potential route to permanent residency. Competitive visa fees and simplified pathways have made New Zealand's offer both attractive and accessible. In this context, the removal of the IQA requirement is not just a procedural relief—it's a symbolic welcome mat for India's skilled graduates, particularly in high-demand domains like STEM and business. A new player in the global talent race This policy shift could reposition New Zealand as a formidable competitor in the global education and migration race, traditionally dominated by countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK. The streamlined rules may tip the scales in New Zealand's favour, especially for Indian applicants who are increasingly weighing ROI, clarity in migration policy, and work prospects abroad. Immigration experts believe the LQEA update reflects not just operational pragmatism but also geopolitical foresight. In an era where talent is mobile and nations are competing for human capital, speed, efficiency, and trust are the new currencies. Final word New Zealand's decision to exempt Indian qualifications from assessment is more than an administrative tweak; it is a bold invitation to India's brightest minds. For a country that prizes education, global mobility, and innovation, this may well be the opening chapter of a deeper Indo-Kiwi talent partnership. The message is clear: Bring your degree, your skills, and your ambition, New Zealand is ready. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
