Upcoming updates to immigration instructions
On 5 December 2016, the following Appendix 3 – List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment country lists will be updated:
- Argentina
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Hungary
- India
- Israel
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Romania
- Singapore
- South Pacific
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
If you claimed points for a recognised qualification on one of the country lists that is being updated and have not had that qualification assessed by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), your application for residence may be affected.
Changes
- The updates to country lists may include:
- addition and removal of qualifications
- addition and removal of institutions
- changes to qualification levels
- changes to qualification awarding dates.
What you need to do
If you have claimed points for a recognised qualification on the basis that it is included in one of the Appendix 3 lists being updated, please check the new country list in Amendment Circular 2016-08 to see if you are affected.You may be affected if a qualification you are claiming points for falls under one of the following scenarios:
the qualification no longer appears on the updated Appendix 3 country list, or
the qualification was not awarded within the awarding dates specified on the updated Appendix 3 country list, or
the qualification is from an institution which no longer appears on the updated Appendix 3 country list.
If the updates affect you, you will need to apply to NZQA for either a pre assessment result (PAR) or an international qualifications assessment (IQA). Please note that if you make your Skilled Migrant Category application using only a PAR, you will still need to obtain an IQA so that Immigration New Zealand can determine where your qualification sits on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. More information about international qualifications can be found on the NZQA website: www.nzqa.govt.nz.
If there is a change to the points awarded for your qualification please update your residence application form and initial the change.
Note: If your residence application is lodged before 5 December 2016, you will continue to be assessed under the previous immigration instructions.