Claiming Points for Recognised Qualifications

This guidance is currently being updated to reflect new visa rules issued by New Zealand Immigration. Please contact us if you are looking for expert advice on your eligibility for a New Zealand work visa.

You  may be able to claim up to 70 points for your overseas academic, vocational, or technical qualification(s) as part of your expression of interest for the skilled migrant category resident visa (providing it is accepted as the equivalent of a New Zealand qualification.)

Qualifications are ranked according to the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. Only qualifications level 3 and above may claim points (Note: level 3 and 4 require additional requirements:

Level 10	Doctorates		70 Points
Level 9	Master’s Degrees		70 Points
Level 8	Postgraduate Diplomas & Certificates	Bachelor’s Degrees with Honours	50 Points
Level 7	Graduate Diplomas & Certificates	Bachelor’s Degrees	50 Points
Level 6	Certificates	Diplomas	40 Points
Level 5	Certificates	Diplomas	40 Points
Level 4	Certificates Must be relevant to an occupation at ANZSCO skill level 3, 4 or 5, and either ·         included on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (see Appendix 3) and meet the requirements specified in that list, or ·         assessed by the NZQA as an NZQF level 4 Certificate.		40 Points
Level 3	Certificates Must be relevant to an occupation at ANZSCO skill level 3, 4 or 5, and either ·         included on the List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (see Appendix 3) and meet the requirements specified in that list, or ·         assessed by the NZQA as an NZQF level 4 Certificate	NCEA Level 3	40 Points
Level 2	Certificates	NCEA Level 2
Level 1	Certificates	NCEA Level 1

Points for recognised qualifications are not cumulative. A principal applicant may qualify for only 40, 50, or 70 points.

Points are provided for:

1. 1. one qualification only; or
   2. two or more qualifications assessed in combination.

What is an International Qualification Assessment or a Pre Assessment Result (PAR)?

Unless your qualification is  exempt, you may require an Internal Qualification Assessment or a Pre Assessment Result (PAR) if you are only submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI). This will likely be the case if you are looking to count overseas qualifications.

A Pre-Assessment Result is a report that compares an applicant’s nominated qualification to a Level on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework.

An International Qualification Assessment (IQA) (formerly a Qualifications Assessment Report (QAR)):

1. assesses an overseas qualification (or group of qualifications) by stating the learning outcomes of the closest New Zealand equivalent qualification; and
2. states the New Zealand Qualifications Framework of New Zealand Quality Assured Qualifications level of that equivalent qualifications; and
3. refers to any verification of the applicant’s qualifications undertaken by the NZQA.

For an international qualification to be assessed and eligible, it must:

• be a complete programme of study, and
• be awarded by a provider that is nationally recognised or accredited by the responsible government or government-mandated authority in the country of award, at the time of award, and
• have a minimum of 400 notional learning hours (approximately one full-time semester of study), and
• include achievement of a set of learning outcomes through a formal programme of instruction or learning.

Bonus Points

You may claim up to 10 bonus points if: you have  a recognised New Zealand bachelor degree (level 7 on the NZQF). The qualification must require a minimum of two years full time study in New Zealand, and the full time study must have been completed over four semesters during a period of at least 16 months.

You may claim another 10 bonus points if:  you have a recognised postgraduate New Zealand qualification (levels 8, 9 or 10 on the NZQF). The qualification must require a minimum of one year of full-time study in New Zealand.

You may claim up to 15 bonus points if: you have a recognised postrgraduate New Zealand qualification (level 9 or 10 on the NZQF). The qualification must require a minimum of two years full time study in New Zealand.