Latest news with #InternationalQualificationAssessment
Time of India
8 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
