The New Zealand government has agreed to update the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (LQEA) ahead of the opening of the Skilled Migrant Category Resident visa on October 9, 2023.
The LQEA is a publicly available list which sets out the comparable New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) level for specified overseas qualifications. Note that within immigration instructions the NZQCF is referred to as the New Zealand Qualifications Framework or NZQF.
The review will include:
- A review of the existing list;
- Removal of qualifications which do not meet the new Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa criteria;
- Compiling quality assured, approved, accredited and relevant qualifications that meet the requirements; and
- The addition of ‘qualification type’ to all qualifications on the list.
The updated LQEA will be in effect from September 29, 2023, to coincide with the Green List and Sector Work to Residence categories opening to application. It will be in place for the opening of the revised Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa on October 9, 2023. It will include the following seven countries:
- Hong Kong
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
Some of these country lists will be further updated in further phases, and qualification types will be added. For example, further work is being undertaken to confirm which Doctoral-level qualifications will be recognised from the USA and which non-bachelor’s degrees will be recognised from the Philippines.
More qualifications from additional countries will be added to the LQEA in further phases.
The updated LQEA will be used for the Green List Straight to Residence, Green List and Sector Work to Residence categories, and the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). It will also be used for the new Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa when it opens on 9 October 2023.
Applicants whose overseas qualification is not listed in the updated LQEA must get an International Qualifications Assessment (IQA) before submitting a visa application and submit the IQA with the visa application.
Erickson Insights
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