New Zealand Streamlines Skilled Migration: What Indian Students Should Know in 2025

New Zealand streamlines skilled migration and student visa policies in 2025, easing PR paths for Indian grads from IITs, NITs, and IISERs.
June 29, 2025 Education News

 

TL;DR

  • New Zealand has introduced major immigration updates starting June 2025, simplifying pathways for skilled migrants and international students. 
  • Indian graduates from IITs, NITs, and IISERs no longer need an IQA (International Qualification Assessment) to apply for residency visas under the Skilled Migrant Category or Green List roles—if their degrees meet specific criteria.
  • The country also announced improvements in visa processing speeds, flexible Post-Study Work Visa (PSWV) rules, and prioritization for in-country student applications.
  • However, visa fees have nearly doubled, and stricter regulations now apply to dependent health requirements and adviser licensing. 

YUNO LEARNING breaks down the changes, how they impact Indian students, and why New Zealand remains one of the most welcoming and structured destinations for international education and migration.

Starting 23 June 2025, New Zealand is making it easier and faster for students from India and eight other countries to progress with their study-to-residence plans. If you have a recognised university degree from any of the listed countries, you no longer need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) to apply for certain visas.

The other countries besides India that have been fast-tracked are:

FranceGermanyItalySingapore
South KoreaSri LankaSwedenSwitzerland

These join existing recognized countries, namely Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and Malaysia.

BUT don’t get too excited just yet.  The list of Indian degrees and institutions is far from all-inclusive. Only degrees from a small number of recognised institutions have been mentioned.

From 23 June 2025, the List Qualifications Exempt from Assessment will include qualifications from:

  1. Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT)
  2. Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER)
  3. National Institutes of Technology 

Eligible qualifications from these institutions include:

  1. Bachelor’s degrees requiring three or more years of full-time study
  2. Master’s degrees requiring two or more years of full-time study

As with other countries, MBA and Executive MBA (EMBA) degrees are excluded from the exemption list.

If your degree is from one of the approved Indian institutions and matches the criteria on the LQEA, you may not need an IQA. However, if your qualification is from a university or college not listed, you will still need to apply for an IQA as part of your visa application.

It’s essential to note that not all degrees are covered, even if they meet the required level. To be exempt from an IQA, your qualification must meet all three of the following conditions:

The qualification title is on the LQEA

  1. It was awarded by an institution that is specifically named on the list
  2. It was completed within the approved date range 

If your qualification doesn’t match all three criteria, you’ll still need an IQA as part of your visa application.

Do the New Zealand immigration authorities recognize your specific degree from your specific university? 

 Many Indian applicants will NOT benefit under the new fast-track programme.

Please note:  the fast-tracking pertains to certain types of residence visas. It comes into play when a person applies for a visa under the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) or for Green List roles. New Zealand wants skilled immigrants, and the recently announced changes are a way of attracting them.  This official degree-recognition issue has no bearing on getting a New Zealand student visa. 

 What is included in the Skilled Migrant Category list?

New Zealand Immigration’s official website provides the full list of eligible occupations and their requirements on Immigration New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category page and cross-references with the Green List roles for priority pathways.  This page provides an eligibility checklist, a guide to the points system, a detailed definition of a “skilled job” Professional & Technical Roles, Skilled Trades & Technical Jobs, Green List overlap), and an explanation of ANZSCO levels. 

People who receive a Skilled Migrant Category visa can

  1. Live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely
  2. Include your partner and dependent children (under 25) in your application
  3. Apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after holding SMC residency for 2 years 

What is included in Green List Roles?

 Complete information about the Green List roles can be found at New Zealand Immigration – Green List pathway to residence. This page provides detailed information on required qualifications, registration, experience, and pay thresholds needed for each role, an explanation of the tier system, and the experience and offer criteria required.

People with a Tier 1 Green List visa (Straight to Residence Visa) can become New Zealand residents immediately can live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely

  1. Get access to publicly funded healthcare
  2. Can purchase property
  3. Can become permanent residents after 2 years
  4. Can sponsor certain family members for residency
  5. Can enrolment of dependent children in state-funded schooling
  6. Get access to social services (some may have stand-down periods)

People with a Tier 2 Green List visa (Work to Residence)

  1. Right to work for the accredited employer and in the role specified
  2. Study rights (part-time study allowed, but not full-time tertiary)
  3. Access to public health services (subject to eligibility under reciprocal agreements)
  4. Right to apply for residence after 2 years in the Green List role
  5. Must work in New Zealand for two years before applying for residence

But no automatic access to residency or social benefits until residency is granted

As for Indian students, New Zealand welcomes them.  India ranks among New Zealand’s top four international education markets, with over 22,000 enrolments in recent years.  The country is keen to attract international students, as evidenced by two measures: NZ$260,000 New Zealand Excellence Awards 2025, with grants of up to NZ$20,000 per student.

  1. Post-study work rights of up to three years for graduates.
  2. Competitive visa fees and a clearly defined migration pathway.


 


 

Over the past year, New Zealand has also made changes in policies and processing for student visas.  Here’s a quick overview:

1. Priority for In‑Country Applications (from 3 February 2025)

Visa applications submitted within New Zealand—for a new course or provider—will now receive allocation priority during peak processing periods.

2. Stricter Adviser Licensing Rule (since 31 March 2025)

Student visa applications prepared or lodged by unlicensed or non‑exempt immigration advisers are now automatically declined.

3. Faster Processing Times (early 2025)

Student visa processing averaged 12 days (Jan–Mar 2025), down from 24 days in 2024. Currently, applications are processed in about 10 days on average

4. Fee Increases (from 1 October 2024)

Student visa application fees nearly doubled, from NZD 375 to NZD 750.  Also, applicants are now strongly advised to apply early and submit complete documentation to avoid delays or declinations

5. Post‑Study Work Visa (PSWV) Flexibility (from 19 November 2024)

Students who complete a Postgraduate Diploma (30 weeks NZ) and immediately start a Master’s—even if the Master’s doesn’t meet the full 30‑week requirement—are now still eligible for a PSWV. You may apply for a PSWV up to 12 months after finishing the diploma

6. Health Requirements for Dependents (from 17 March 2025)

Tighter health criteria have been applied to dependent children of visa holders; children with severe developmental or cognitive disabilities are not eligible unless a waiver is granted

For more details:

The changes mean

  • Faster turnaround times, but applicants must pay close attention to documentation completeness and fee changes.
  • A student who is already in NZ and changing courses/providers gets higher priority on their application, but they must make sure that any adviser is licensed or exempt; otherwise, the application will be declined.
  • Greater flexibility in PSWV eligibility for diploma-to-Master’s students.
  • If applying with dependents, be aware of stricter health assessments for children. 

An applicant has the greatest chance of smooth sailing if …

They apply 3 months early to beat fees and processing delays

  1. Use a licensed/licensed-exempt adviser. Prevent automatic refusals
  2. Submit tuition receipts & documents upfront. Avoid requests for additional info or rejections
  3. Consider the PSWV path carefully. Diploma + Masters now qualify via streamlined rules

 Sizing up all these recent developments, YUNO LEARNING concludes that New Zealand is a welcoming place for Indian students. 

Our advice:  Take a serious look at Aotearoa.


 

 

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