Qualifications exempt from assessment
Immigration New Zealand lists 3 qualifications from South Korea that do not need an IQA at NZQF levels 7 to 9, awarded by 43 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 degree / 학사 | B | 7 |
| Master degree / 석사 The award certificate must show 논문 (thesis) or 논문심사 (thesis evaluation) (with the exception of master degrees listed below) | M | 9 |
| Master of Divinity / 신학석사 | — | 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 |
|---|---|
| Ajou University / A-ju University, Suwon 아주대학교 | B and M: 1994 |
| Andong National University / Andong University, Andong 국립안동대학교 or 안동대학교 | B and M: 2005 |
| The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul (Catholic University 1992–1995) 가톨릭대학교 | B and M: 1992 |
| Changwon National University, Changwon 국립창원대학교 or 창원대학교 | B and M: 2005 |
| Cheju National University, Cheju / Jeju 국립제주대학교 or 제주대학교 | B and M: 1995–2008 |
| Chonbuk National University / Jeonbug National University, Jeonju 국립전북대학교 or 전북대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Chonnam National University, Gwangju 국립전남대학교 or 전남대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Chung-Ang University, Seoul 중앙대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 국립충북대학교 or 충북대학교 | B and M: 1985 |
| Chungnam National University, Daejeon 국립충남대학교 or 충남대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Dongguk University, Seoul 동국대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Ewha Womans University, Seoul 이화여자대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Gangneung-Wonju National University / Kangnung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 국립강릉원주대학교 or 강릉원주대학교 | B and M: 2009 |
| Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 국립경상대학교 or 경상대학교 | B and M: 1990 |
| Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul 한국외국어대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Hanyang University, Seoul 한양대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Hongik University, Seoul 홍익대학교 | B and M: 1990 |
| Incheon National University (University of Incheon 2005 - 2013), Incheon 인천대학교 | B and M: 2005 |
| Inha University, Incheon 인하대학교 | B and M: 1991 |
| Inje University, Gimhae 인제대학교 | B and M: 2000 |
| Jeju National University, Cheju / Jeju 국립제주대학교 or제주대학교 | B and M: 2009 |
| Kangnung National University / Gangneung National University, Gangneung 국립강릉대학교 or강릉대학교 | B and M: 2005–2009 |
| Kangwon National University, Chunchon / Chuncheon 국립강원대학교 or 강원대학교 | B and M: 1990 |
| Konkuk University, Seoul 건국대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST 1990–2008), Daejeon 한국과학기술원 | B and M: 1990 |
| Korea Maritime and Ocean University, Busan / Pusan 한국해양대학교 | B and M: 2000 |
| Korea National University of Education, Cheongwon 한국교원대학교 | M: 1995 |
| Korea University, Seoul 고려대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Kumoh National Institute of Technology (Kit), Gumi 국립금오공과대학교 or금오공과대학교 | B and M: 2005 |
| Kunsan National University 군산대학교 | B and M: 2017 |
| Kyung Hee University / Kyunghee University, Seoul 경희대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Kyungpook National University, Daegu / Taegu 국립경북대학교 or 경북대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 포항공과대학교 | B and M: 2000 |
| Pukyong National University, Busan / Pusan 국립부경대학교 or 부경대학교 | B and M: 1996 |
| Pusan National University, Busan / Pusan 국립부산대학교 or 부산대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Sejong University, Seoul 세종대학교 | B and M: 2000 |
| Seoul National University, Seoul / 서울대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Sogang University, Seoul 서강대학교 | B and M: 1985 |
| Sookmyung Women's University, Seoul 숙명여자대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| Soongsil University, Seoul 숭실대학교 | B and M: 1987 |
| Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul 성균관대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
| University of Seoul, Seoul 서울시립대학교 | B and M: 2000 |
| Yonsei University, Seoul 연세대학교 | B and M: 1984 |
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).