NZQA International Qualification Assessment (IQA) Explained

What an IQA is

An International Qualification Assessment (IQA) is a service from the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) that compares your overseas qualification to the New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF). In plain terms, it answers one question: where does my foreign degree or diploma sit on New Zealand's own scale?

The NZQCF has ten levels, running from basic certificates up to postgraduate qualifications, and covers certificates, diplomas, degrees and postgraduate awards. An IQA tells you which NZQCF level and qualification type your overseas qualification is comparable to.

This matters because many New Zealand systems — immigration, licensing boards, and employers — need a New Zealand reference point for a qualification earned abroad, and the IQA provides exactly that.

Why it is not the same as an admission check

This is the key distinction, and where students often get confused. An IQA is for work, registration and immigration — it is not how a university decides whether to admit you.

When you apply to study, the university's own admissions office assesses your prior qualifications for entry (that is a separate equivalence check, covered in the recognition guides for New Zealand universities). The IQA, by contrast, is typically used later — when you want your existing qualification recognised so you can work, register in an occupation, or support an immigration application.

So if your goal is to enrol in a New Zealand degree, you usually do not need an IQA; you follow the university's admission process. If your goal is to have a qualification you already hold placed on the NZQCF for a job or a visa, the IQA is the right tool.

When an IQA is needed

The most common reason people request an IQA is to meet an immigration requirement — to demonstrate that they hold a qualification at the level an occupation or visa needs.

• Immigration — supporting a residence application such as the Skilled Migrant Category, where a qualification at a set NZQCF level can contribute points.
• Occupational registration — some professional or licensing bodies ask for an NZQA assessment as part of registering to practise.
• Employment — an employer may ask for an IQA to understand how your overseas qualification compares locally.
• Study in some cases — occasionally requested where a provider or scheme specifically asks for an NZQA comparison, though standard university admission is handled by the university itself.

How NZQA evaluates a qualification

NZQA uses a two-stage process. First, it checks the qualification within the education system where it was earned — confirming that it was formally issued by a recognised awarding body and met the regulations that applied in that system at the time. Second, it compares the qualification to a level and qualification type on the NZQCF, considering the learning outcomes to establish a comparable level.

In doing this, NZQA looks at the position of the qualification in the country of award's framework, its national recognition, the approval and accreditation of the institution and programme, and the authenticity of the documents you provide.

One point is important to understand: NZQA does not assess your work experience or your competence — you should not submit evidence of work experience with an IQA application. Those matters are for the relevant professional registration or licensing body, or for an employer, to judge — the IQA is purely about where the qualification sits on the framework.

The outcome: a recognition statement

The result of an IQA is an electronic recognition statement that compares your overseas qualification to a level and qualification type on the NZQCF. This is the document you can then provide to an immigration officer, a registration body or an employer.

Processing times are set by NZQA and depend on demand and on whether your application arrives complete. Because these timeframes change, we deliberately do not quote a fixed figure — check the current wait times on the NZQA IQA page and submit every required document and piece of evidence up front to avoid delays.

An IQA reflects the framework comparison at the time it is issued; if a system or requirement later changes, confirm whether you need an up-to-date assessment for your specific purpose.

How to apply and prepare

Apply through the NZQA website using the "Apply for an International Qualification Assessment" process. Before you start, gather certified copies of your qualification documents (such as your degree certificate and academic transcript) and any evidence NZQA specifies, including translations where needed. Note that NZQA assesses completed tertiary or vocational qualifications (with a minimum notional learning requirement), not secondary-school certificates or incomplete programmes.

A complete, well-documented application is processed faster than one that triggers requests for more information, so read NZQA's document requirements carefully. If your qualification is in a regulated profession, check separately with the relevant New Zealand registration body, because the IQA is only one part of what they may require.

This guide is general information to help you understand the IQA. For your specific application, follow the current instructions on nzqa.govt.nz.