NZQA International Qualification Assessment (IQA)
NZQA International Qualification Assessment for Indian Degrees
NZQA, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, compares your Indian degree or diploma with New Zealand qualifications, for work, immigration and further study. Before you apply, your university must verify it: it emails your certificate and transcript directly to NZQA. We take that request to your university, follow it up and keep you updated on WhatsApp. Nurses and doctors register separately, with their councils.
- Emailed by your university
- Fee confirmed before you start
- Updates on WhatsApp
Notice: Trueway provides independent documentation support and is not affiliated with any council, embassy or government authority.
Who needs an NZQA assessment?
NZQA asks you to check with the organisation first that it needs one.
Immigration to New Zealand
Most Indian degrees still need an IQA. Since 23 June 2025, only degrees from IIT, IISc, IISER and NIT are on the list of qualifications exempt from assessment, for immigration only.
Work in New Zealand
An IQA lets employers see how your qualification compares with New Zealand ones.
Further study
For a place on a course in New Zealand, when the provider asks for an evaluation.
How we handle it
Who does what, from your first message to the NZQA assessment.
Step 1: Tell us your degree and university
YouThe degree or diploma, the university, and what the assessment is for.
Step 2: We send your checklist and the fee
TruewayOn WhatsApp, for your university. You decide after you have seen them.
Step 3: We take the request to your university
TruewayFor your award certificate and transcript to be emailed directly to NZQA from the university's own email address.
Step 4: The university emails NZQA
AuthorityNZQA does not take paper copies by post. We follow it up and update you on WhatsApp.
Step 5: You apply for the IQA
YouWith colour scans of your documents, and an English translation of any document not in English.
Step 6: NZQA assesses it
AuthorityAn average wait of 10 weeks, as NZQA states it now.
What NZQA needs, and who sends it
From NZQA's requirements for an IQA.
Step 1: Your university verifies it
Your award certificate and transcript, emailed by the university directly to NZQA from its own address. A forwarded email is not accepted.
Step 2: You apply online
Colour scans of your passport, every award certificate and the mark sheets of each year. Copies need not be certified.
Step 3: NZQA assesses it
NZQA gives an average wait of 10 weeks, and completes 90 per cent of complete applications within 15 business days.
Trueway handles step 1 for you: we take your request to the university and follow it up until it emails your documents to NZQA. You apply to NZQA yourself, once the verification is in place.
Documents required
From NZQA's requirements and Trueway's working checklist. Scans must be in full colour. We confirm your exact list after your enquiry.
What does it cost?
Connect with the Trueway team for the fee. It depends on your university and how it sends the records. We confirm it on WhatsApp, together with the expected time, before you decide.
Ask the team for the feeRules for Indian documents
Attestation is not verification
NZQA does not accept physical or certified copies, including apostille and notary copies, as verification. The university emails it.
Email, not post
The university emails NZQA from its own address. NZQA asks that no paper copies be posted to it.
Nurses and doctors
An IQA is not a registration. Nurses register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and doctors with the Medical Council of New Zealand.
Good standing for New Zealand
Got questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers about the NZQA assessment.
Do nurses and doctors need an NZQA assessment?
NZQA does not assess professional registration, and leaves competence to the registration body. To practise, nurses register with the Nursing Council of New Zealand and doctors with the Medical Council of New Zealand, which have their own verification of your council registration. See [good standing for New Zealand](/good-standing/new-zealand-good-standing).
Is my Indian degree exempt from the IQA?
Probably not. Since 23 June 2025, New Zealand's list of qualifications exempt from assessment includes India only for degrees from IIT, IISc, IISER and NIT, and only for immigration. State, central and deemed universities are excluded.
Will an attested or apostilled copy do for NZQA?
No. NZQA does not accept physical or certified copies, including apostille and notary copies, as verification. The university emails your certificate and transcript directly to NZQA.
What if NZQA cannot verify my documents?
NZQA gives you 15 working days to provide a new verification, or it may cancel the application with no refund. That is why the university's email goes to NZQA before you apply.
How long does NZQA take?
NZQA says the average wait is now 10 weeks, and it completes 90 per cent of complete applications within 15 business days. The university's verification comes first: we tell you that time for your university.
How long does an NZQA verification take?
It depends on your university and how it sends the records. We tell you the expected time for your case before you start, and send updates on WhatsApp.
What does an NZQA verification cost?
Connect with the Trueway team on WhatsApp. The fee depends on your university and how it sends the records, and we confirm it before you decide.
Is Trueway part of NZQA?
No. Trueway provides independent documentation support and is not affiliated with any council, embassy or government authority.
Need NZQA verification? Tell us your university
We reply on WhatsApp with the checklist and the fee.