Qualifications exempt from assessment
Immigration New Zealand lists 5 qualifications from Japan that do not need an IQA at NZQF levels 7 to 10, awarded by 75 listed institutions. One more is named specifically as still requiring assessment by NZQA.
If your qualification is on this list, was awarded by a listed institution within the listed years, and is not excluded by the notes, Immigration New Zealand accepts its level without an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) from NZQA.
All of the conditions below have to be met together. Meeting one of them is not enough, and this is where most people go wrong: the qualification and the awarding institution are two separate checks.
Immigration New Zealand exempts a qualification from assessment only when every one of these conditions is met. Meeting some of them is not enough.
If any condition fails, you need an International Qualification Assessment from NZQA before you claim points for the qualification. Our guide to the IQA and NZQA assessment explains that process, and the SMC points system explainer covers what a qualification is worth once its level is confirmed.
These appear on INZ's list specifically to say they are not exempt. They require assessment by NZQA even when the awarding institution is listed below.
The NZQF level is the New Zealand framework level Immigration New Zealand accepts for the qualification. It is not a points score.
| Qualification | Abbrev. | NZQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor With the exception of Bachelor of Engineering degrees | B | 7 |
| Bachelor of Engineering | BE | 7 |
| Master ** | M | 9 |
| Doctor of Philosophy (Doctorate by dissertation) | D | 10 |
| Doctorate by course work | — | Requires NZQA assessment |
Notes on this table
Your qualification is only exempt if it was awarded by one of these institutions, the abbreviation appears against that institution, and the award year falls in the range shown.
| Institution | Qualifications and years |
|---|---|
| Aichi University of Education | M and D: 2016 |
| Akita University | B, M and D: 1990 BE: 2005 |
| Chiba University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Doshisha University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2006-2010 |
| Ehime University | B, M and D: 1990 BE: 2005 |
| Gifu University | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2005 |
| The Graduate University for Advanced Studies / National University Sokendai | M and D: 2000 |
| Gunma University | B, M and D: 1990 BE: 2005 |
| Hamamatsu University School of Medicine | B, M and D: 2000 |
| Hirosaki University | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2005 |
| Hiroshima University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Hitotsubashi University | B, M and D: 1984 |
| Hokkaido University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Hyogo University of Teacher Education | M and D: 2005 |
| Ibaraki University | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2006 |
| Iwate University | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2005 |
| Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology / JAIST | M and D: 2000 |
| Kagawa University | B, M and D: 1999 BE: 2006-2010 |
| Kagoshima University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Kanazawa University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Keio University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Kitami Institute of Technology | B, BE, M and D: 2005 |
| Kobe University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Kochi University | B, M and D: 1995 BE: 2005 |
| Kumamoto University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Kyoto Institute of Technology | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2005 |
| Kyoto University | B, M and D: 1984 |
| Kyushu Institute of Technology | B, M and D: 1995 BE: 2005 |
| Kyushu University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Meiji University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Mie University | B, M and D: 1990 BE: 2005 |
| Muroran Institute of Technology | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2005 |
| Nagaoka University of Technology | B, M and D: 1995 BE: 2005 |
| Nagasaki University | B, M and D: 1990 BE: 2005 |
| Nagoya Institute of Technology | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2008 |
| Nagoya University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Nara Institute of Science and Technology | M and D: 2005 |
| Nara Women's University | B, BE, M and D: 2005 |
| National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies | D: 2010 |
| Niigata University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine | M and D: 2000 |
| Ochanomizu University | B, M and D: 1990 |
| Oita University | B, M and D: 2003 BE: 2005 |
| Okayama University | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2005 |
| Osaka University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2008-2013 |
| Ritsumeikan University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Saga University | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2005 |
| Saitama University | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2005 |
| Shiga University | B, M and D: 2010 |
| Shiga University of Medical Science | B, M and D: 2000 |
| Shimane University | B, BE, M and D: 2005 |
| Shinshu University | B, M and D: 1995 BE: 2005 |
| Shizuoka University | B, BE, M and D: 2005 |
| Sophia University | B, M and D: 1984 |
| Tohoku University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2007 |
| Tokushima University | B, M and D: 1990 BE: 2005 |
| Tokyo Institute of Technology | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2005-2014 |
| Tokyo Medical and Dental University | B, M and D: 2010 |
| Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology | B, M and D: 1995 BE: 2005-2010 |
| Tokyo University of the Arts | M and D: 1990 |
| Tottori University | B, M and D: 1997 BE: 2005 |
| Toyohashi University of Technology | B, M and D: 1998 BE: 2005 |
| The University of Electro-Communications | B, M and D: 2000 |
| University of Fukui | B, M and D: 2003 BE: 2007 |
| University of Miyazaki | B, BE, M and D: 2010 |
| The University of the Ryukyus | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2006 |
| The University of Tokyo | B, M and D: 1984 |
| University of Toyama | B, BE, M and D: 2005 |
| University of Tsukuba | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| University of Yamanashi | B, M and D: 2002 BE: 2005 |
| Utsunomiya University | B. M and D: 1995 BE: 2005 |
| Waseda University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Yamagata University | B, M and D: 2000 BE: 2005 |
| Yamaguchi University | B, M and D: 1984 BE: 2005 |
| Yokohama National University | B, M and D: 1990 BE: 2008 |
Source: Immigration New Zealand Operational Manual . Synced 13 September 2026.
Matching an award certificate against this list is fiddlier than it looks: institutions get renamed, award years narrow the exemption, and the notes can rule a qualification out. Talk it through with us and we will listen to your situation and match you with the right IAA-licensed adviser.
This page reproduces Immigration New Zealand's published List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment and is general information, not immigration advice. INZ revises the list, so check the linked source page before you rely on it. ProVisas is a licensed New Zealand immigration advisory firm (IAA Licence 201301110).