Ireland Country-Specific Qualification Instructions

At a glance

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) applies specific rules to the recognition of Irish qualifications for visa purposes, primarily within the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) and related policy instructions. Recognition is based on detailed tables of exempt qualifications and awarding bodies. [I-ireland]

Definition

INZ country-specific instructions for Ireland set out which Irish academic and vocational qualifications are exempt from NZQA International Qualifications Assessment, and which must be assessed by NZQA, for SMC points eligibility. Separate provisions apply for academic, craft, trade, and related technical craft qualifications. [I-ireland]

Application in decisions

• Only qualifications listed as exempt—and awarded by an approved institution and within the relevant timeframes—are accepted without NZQA assessment under SMC instructions.
• Irish award certificates may be issued in Latin, English, or (less commonly) Irish; INZ requires original certificates, and where applicable, translations supplied by the awarding university. [I-ireland]
• Qualifications involving study at campuses outside Ireland, honorary degrees, or containing cross-credited courses must be referred to NZQA for International Qualifications Assessment. [I-ireland]

Interpretation & edge cases

• For original language requirements, English or Latin (for NUI and Trinity College Dublin) are accepted, with an official English translation as needed
• Specific instructions exist for date ranges and acceptable forms of evidence depending on type of qualification or institution
• Any case not expressly covered by country instructions must be considered on the basis of general qualification recognition policy and may lead to a requirement for a full NZQA International Qualifications Assessment [I-ireland]

Citations

• I-ireland — Ireland