Do you need an IQA for an overseas qualification on Green List Tier 1?

Start with the occupation entry you are relying on for New Zealand’s Straight to Residence Visa. If it requires an overseas qualification to be equivalent to a specified New Zealand qualification, check whether Immigration New Zealand (INZ) requires an International Qualification Assessment (IQA). Some roles also require professional registration or membership, which you should check separately.

Match your qualification to the occupation entry

Save the relevant Green List entry and the date you checked it. Record the qualification level, field of study or type of award it asks for. Compare those requirements with your award certificate, transcript and course information. If your offer gives only a job title, ask for a description of the actual duties before choosing the occupation entry.

Check engineering accreditation for the award year

INZ lists Washington Accord-accredited engineering degrees and Sydney Accord-accredited engineering technology degrees among the qualifications that do not need an IQA under its stated exemption. Check the exact programme and award year. INZ also says the country where you gained the qualification must have been on the relevant list of signatories when the degree was awarded. Keep the accreditation record and the date you checked it.

INZ’s assessment page also provides a qualification exemption tool for the Skilled Migrant Category. For Straight to Residence, check the Green List role and the requirements for this visa.

If you need an IQA, confirm the assessment type first

INZ identifies a skill shortage list IQA for Green List jobs. Check the assessment type and document requirements with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) before applying. Gather the award certificate, official transcript and any required translations or verification. When the report arrives, compare it with the qualification wording for your role and check any separate registration, membership or pay requirements.

For a review with Premiervisa Group, have the role, award, institution, graduation year and any registration records ready. See the Tier 1 job offer guide for the employer and employment checks.

Policy checked on 6 November 2026. See INZ’s IQA guidance and the Straight to Residence Visa requirements.