More Overseas Qualifications Now Exempt from Assessment for New Zealand Residence
- blueskymigration
- Jun 23, 2025
- 2 min read
If you have been considering making New Zealand your permanent home, great news may be waiting for you. As of 23 June 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has updated its List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA) - a key step for skilled migrants aiming to qualify for residence under the Skilled Migrant Category or Green List Resident Visa.
What is the LQEA ad Why is it important?
The LQEA helps identify whether an overseas qualification is comparable to a New Zealand qualification, without requiring a formal assessment from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA). If your qualification is on the list, it could:
✅ Save you time and money
✅ Help you claim essential points for skilled migration
✅ Strengthen your pathway to residence
What's New?
The latest update includes recognised qualifications from nine new countries, broadening the global accessibility of New Zealand's residence pathways. The newly included countries are:
France
Germany
India
Italy
Singapore
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Switzerland
In addition, existing qualifications from Australia, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States have also been refined and clarified to improve consistency.
Why This Matters for You
If you hold an overseas qualification from one of these countries and are considering applying for a Skilled Migrant Category or Green List Resident Visa, these changes could significantly boost your eligibility.
Are You Eligible Under the New Qualification List?
Understanding whether your overseas qualification qualifies can be the difference between a smooth application process and a prolonged one.
Contact emma@blueskymigration.com or 021 1188 302 today to check if your qualification is now exempt from assessment - and take the first step toward making New Zealand your new home.
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