Latest news with #IQA
Time of India
9 hours ago
- 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.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
New Zealand removes a key requirement for Indian visa applicants
International students and skilled migrants from India and eight other countries will benefit from a streamlined immigration process in New Zealand, as Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has expanded its List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA). The updated list, effective from June 23, 2025, recognises specific foreign qualifications without requiring an International Qualification Assessment (IQA). Starting this month, qualifications from India, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, and Switzerland will be newly included on the list. This means degree holders from these countries applying under key categories-including the Skilled Migrant Category, Green List, and Accredited Employer Work Visa, will no longer need to undergo an International Qualification Assessment (IQA). In addition, New Zealand will revise existing listings for qualifications from Australia, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States to improve consistency and clarity, as per a report by Fragomen. What is IQA? (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) The IQA is a formal benchmarking process conducted by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) to determine if a foreign qualification meets the country's academic standards. Historically, exemptions were limited to Anglosphere nations. India's inclusion marks the first time a South Asian country has been added to the LQEA, signalling growing recognition of India's education reforms and university standards. Live Events You Might Also Like: New Zealand's 'golden visa' scheme lures wealthy investors from across the globe Indian students in New Zealand This update also aligns with New Zealand's broader efforts to attract more Indian is the first South Asian country to be included in the LQEA, reflecting growing recognition of its higher education standards and recent reforms. This policy shift comes amid broader efforts by New Zealand to attract more Indian students. Earlier, New Zealand had launched a NZD 260,000 scholarship fund under the New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025, offering financial support of up to NZD 20,000 per student across bachelor's and master's programmes. Post-study work rights have also been extended, allowing international graduates, including Indians, to stay for up to three years and gain employment experience. India is among the top four source countries for international students in New Zealand, with over 22,000 Indian students enrolled in recent years. The number of first-time Indian student visas saw a 63% increase in 2019 and continues to grow as Indian students increasingly look beyond traditional destinations. Factors like lower visa fees, affordable living costs, clear migration pathways, and New Zealand's targeted outreach are making the country an attractive choice. With this latest move to exempt Indian qualifications from assessment, New Zealand is positioning itself as a more accessible and welcoming destination for Indian talent. You Might Also Like: Can you get a US tourist visa in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup? Here's the wait time in your city
Associated Press
28-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Preferred Travel Group Names Philipp Weghmann Chief Development Officer and President of Beyond Green
NEW YORK, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Preferred Travel Group , the family-owned company that operates global travel brands and programs including Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Beyond Green, Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide, and PTG Consulting, is pleased to announce the appointment of Philipp Weghmann as Chief Development Officer. In this newly created executive position, Weghmann will lead company-wide development initiatives to accelerate strategic growth and innovation. He will also serve as President of Beyond Green, reflecting Preferred's deepened commitment to expanding the brand's presence and impact around the world. In this dual role, Weghmann will oversee the group's global development efforts, working closely with departmental and regional leadership teams to identify strategic opportunities for brand expansion and portfolio alignment. His leadership will also extend across the company's IQA (Integrated Quality Assurance) and Alliance Partner programs, ensuring consistency and excellence across services and brands. 'As we look to the future of our company, this new leadership role is a pivotal step in reinforcing our long-term vision for thoughtful growth and purpose-driven hospitality,' said Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO, Preferred Travel Group. 'Philipp brings a deep understanding of our brand DNA, a proven global track record, and a passion for people and planet that aligns well with our ambitions across all business verticals. We are thrilled to welcome him back to our executive team.' A seasoned and visionary hospitality leader, Weghmann brings over 20 years of industry experience and a unique blend of luxury brand expertise and global development acumen. Most recently, he served as Vice President and Global Brand Leader for The Luxury Collection at Marriott International, where he oversaw global brand strategy, marketing, partnerships, guest experience, and brand standards for a portfolio of more than 120 hotels in over 35 countries. During his tenure, the brand achieved significant growth milestones and launched high-profile properties in markets such as Kyoto, Seoul, Vail, Madrid, Istanbul and Munich. Prior to his tenure at Marriott, Weghmann held several leadership roles at Preferred Travel Group, beginning as Regional Director for the Iberian Peninsula & Mediterranean in 2006. He later served as Area Managing Director for Latin America & the Caribbean and ultimately as Executive Vice President – Europe. His contributions were widely recognized, including being named one of HSMAI Europe's 'Top 20 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality & Travel' in 2018. Media inquiries regarding Philipp Weghmann's appointment may be directed to Stephanie Dowling, SVP, Public Relations and Corporate Communications, [email protected] . About Preferred Travel Group Owned and operated by the Ueberroth Family, Preferred Travel Group is the parent company of brands and programs such as Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Beyond Green, Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide, and PTG Consulting, representing more than 1,100 hotels, resorts, and residences across 90 countries, in addition to a global portfolio of destination marketing organizations and tourist boards. With more than 350 seasoned associates situated across 35 countries, the company connects independent hotels, hospitality companies, and destinations to key markets worldwide through strategic branding, sales, integrated marketing, revenue management, distribution services, and other consultancy services. Fueled by its brand promise, Believe in Travel, the company and its hotel and travel brands champion an unwavering belief in the transformative power of travel and its ability to enrich lives, inspire a greater respect for the planet, and expand hearts and minds to other cultures and ways of living. For more information visit Media Contacts Stephanie Dowling SVP, Public Relations and Corporate Communications, Preferred Travel Group Mobile: +1 480 620 2525 [email protected]
The Independent
27-02-2025
- The Independent
‘Tick box exercise' over CPS casework quality must ‘fundamentally change'
The Crown Prosecution Service must 'fundamentally change' the way it improves the quality of casework which has often been reduced to a 'tick box exercise', inspectors have warned. An internal system that checks the work of the body responsible for prosecuting criminal cases in England and Wales remained 'unchanged' in the seven years since the last inspection, where watchdog chiefs raised concerns over its consistency. The Individual Quality Assessment (IQA) system assesses the quality of CPS casework relating to a single prosecutor, which includes making legal decisions about who to prosecute, for what offences and how the prosecution will prove the case. A report published on Thursday found that many legal managers made assessments that were 'too lenient', where failings may have affected the case, and that key issues were minimised or missed altogether. This included where a manager marked a service to victims and witnesses 'positively' when the prosecutor had failed to send a victim communication letter. The chief inspector of the HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI), the watchdog which monitors the performance of the CPS, Anthony Rogers, recognised the 'immense pressure' to get cases through the system amid the backlog and increased workloads. But the inspection discovered a culture where legal managers were 'reluctant' to give prosecutors feedback on areas to improve for 'fear of overwhelming them'. It comes as the Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson said in December last year that the delays in the criminal justice system are 'probably worse than I've ever known them to be', as he vowed better support for victims. Mr Rogers said: 'We appreciate the CPS operates in extremely challenging circumstances. The case backlog continues to rise, workloads have increased, and the courts are under immense pressure to get cases through the system. 'The CPS's self-assessment system has the potential to drive standards, deliver high-quality casework and ultimately, benefit the criminal justice system. 'However, our inspections clearly show that in many instances Individual Quality Assessments have been reduced to a tick box exercise rather than a vital tool that improves the quality of casework and delivers real improvements.' In the report, Mr Rogers said there appears to be an appetite for 'radical change' from senior leaders in the CPS, as he urged the body to consider a new approach about how it assesses its performance. He added: 'Because only through a functioning, standardised self-assessment regime will casework quality improve – and public trust increase.' The report concluded: 'We found that, when done well, IQAs can lead to improvement on an individual basis. 'However, the inconsistencies in application of the guidance, generally and in answering the specific questions, are profound, and as such it is hard to see how they can be effectively addressed.' Inspectors also said it was disappointing to see their findings from 2018 'largely replicated' in the latest review, despite the CPS having re-launched its process and revised guidance to address the issue in the interim period. In changing the system the report's suggestions included ensuring there are digital tools to help the process and to create a 'coaching approach' to supervision for the assessments. It recommended for the CPS to have designed a new approach by July 31 2025 and implemented it by March 31 2026. The CPS watchdog will return for a follow-up inspection in 2026-2027, it added. Responding to the report, a CPS spokesperson said that since the last inspection several changes have been made to the assessment guidance and training has been rolled out for legal managers. 'The CPS is determined to continuously improve the quality of its casework and the ongoing professional development of its prosecutors,' the spokesperson added. 'We will closely examine the report's findings to work further to improve our systems for assessing the quality of our casework.'
