Taiwan – Qualifications Exempt from Assessment

At a glance

The Taiwan list identifies qualifications awarded by specific Taiwanese institutions that are exempt from an International Qualification Assessment by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) residence applications and for work visa applications under WI instructions where the country is listed in Appendix 3. [T-taiwan] The exemption applies only for immigration points purposes; it does not guarantee comparability to a New Zealand qualification for professional registration, employment, or salary. [T-taiwan]

Definition

The Taiwan list is part of the wider List of Qualifications Exempt from Assessment (Appendix 3). It names academic qualifications and awarding institutions, together with the year ranges from which those qualifications are recognised, the relevant New Zealand Qualifications and Credentials Framework (NZQCF) level, and the points awarded under the Skilled Migrant Category. [T-taiwan] A qualification appearing on this list:

• does not mean the qualification is comparable to any similarly named New Zealand qualification; [T-taiwan]
• only advises the NZQCF level for immigration points purposes; [T-taiwan]
• must have been awarded in Taiwan (not at an overseas campus) and meet the year‑range, abbreviation, and note requirements. [T-taiwan]

Application in decisions

For a Taiwan qualification to be exempt from assessment, an immigration officer must be satisfied that all of the following conditions are met:

1. The qualification appears in the Academic Qualifications Table. [T-taiwan]
2. The awarding institution appears in the Awarding Institutions Table. [T-taiwan]
3. The qualification abbreviation matches the right‑hand column for that institution. [T-taiwan]
4. The qualification was awarded from or within the year range listed for that institution. [T-taiwan]
5. The qualification is not excluded by the notes listed under the Academic Qualifications Table. [T-taiwan]

Points are awarded according to the NZQCF level stated in the table. [T-taiwan]

Academic Qualifications Table

Qualification	Abbreviation*	Level in NZQF terms	Points under SMC
文學 學士 / 文學 學士學位 (Bachelor of Arts)	BA	7	50
理學 學士 / 理學 學士學位 (Bachelor of Science)	BS	7	50
工學 學士 / 工學 學士學位 (Bachelor of Science in Engineering / Bachelor of Engineering)	BE	7	50
文學 碩士 / 文學 碩士學位 (Master of Arts)	MA	9	70
理學 碩士 / 理學 碩士學位 (Master of Science)	MS	9	70
工學 碩士 / 工學 碩士學位 (Master of Science in Engineering / Master of Engineering)	ME	9	70

*Abbreviations used are for the purpose of this list only. [T-taiwan]

If an applicant believes their qualification may be higher than the level stated, they should apply to the NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment. [T-taiwan]

Note:
Award certificates must be provided in their original language for all qualifications. Official English Translations should also be provided. [T-taiwan]

The following must be referred to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment: [T-taiwan]

• All honorary degrees
• All listed qualifications where study was completed at any institution outside of Taiwan, including any overseas campuses of any listed awarding institution
• All listed qualifications that contain cross‑credited courses or papers
• All initial teacher training degrees
• All qualifications awarded after 2018

Awarding Institutions Table

Institution	Qualification awarded from or between dates
National Central University	BA, BS and MS: 1990; BE and ME: 2007; MA: 1995
National Changhua University of Education	BA, BS, MA and MS: 2005; BE and ME: 2010
National Cheng Kung University	BA, BS and MS: 1990; BE: 2007; MA: 1993; ME: 2008
National Chengchi University	BA, BS, MA and MS: 1990
National Chi Nan University	BA, BE, BS, MA and MS: 2007; ME: 2009
National Chiao Tung University	BS and MS: 1990; BE and ME: 2008
National Chiayi University	BA, BS, BE, MA, MS and ME: 2008
National Chung Cheng University	BA, BS, MA and MS: 2000; BE and ME: 2007
National Chung Hsing University	BA, BS and MS: 1990; BE and ME: 2007; MA: 1993
National Defense University	BE: 2007; ME: 2009
National Dong Hwa University	BA, BS, MA and MS: 2008; BE: 2008–2012
National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology	BS, BE, MA, MS and ME: 2015
National Kaohsiung Normal University	BA, BS, MA and MS: 2000
National Kaohsiung University of Applied Sciences	BE, MA, MS and ME: 2010
National Pingtung University of Science and Technology	BA, BS, BE, MS and ME: 2009
National Sun Yat-sen University	BA, BS, MA and MS: 1993; BE and ME: 2007
National Taichung University of Education	BA, BS, BE and MS: 2010; ME: 2012
National Taipei University	BA and MA: 2000; BE and ME: 2009
National Taipei University of Education	BA, BS, MA and MS: 2017
National Taipei University of Technology	BA and MA: 2009; BS, MS, BE and ME: 2007
National Taiwan Normal University	BA, BS, MA and MS: 1990; BE and ME: 2015
National Taiwan Ocean University	BS, MA and MS: 2000; BE and ME: 2007
National Taiwan Sport University	MS: 2010
National Taiwan University	BA, BS, MA and MS: 1990; BE and ME: 2007
National Taiwan University of Arts	BA and MA: 2012
National Taiwan University of Science and Technology	BS: 2015; BE and ME: 2007; MS: 2013
National Tsing Hua University	BA, BS, MA and MS: 1990; BE: 2007; ME: 2011
National University of Tainan	BA, MA and MS: 2010; BS: 2012; BE and ME: 2011–2016
National Yang-Ming University	BA: 2012; BS and MS: 1994; MA: 2010; ME: 2007–2012
National Yunlin University of Science and Technology	BA and MA: 2001; BS and MS: 2000; BE: 2007; ME: 2008
Taipei National University of the Arts	MA: 2010

Effective 27/08/2018 [T-taiwan]

Interpretation & edge cases

• Higher qualification level: If an applicant believes their qualification may be assessed at a higher NZQCF level than stated in the table, they must apply to NZQA for an International Qualifications Assessment. [T-taiwan]
• Mandatory referral to NZQA: The following qualifications are not exempt and must be referred to NZQA: honorary degrees; qualifications completed outside Taiwan (including overseas campuses of listed institutions); qualifications containing cross‑credited courses; initial teacher training degrees; and any qualification awarded after 2018. [T-taiwan]
• Original language and translations: Award certificates must be submitted in the original language, accompanied by official English translations. [T-taiwan]
• Abbreviation purpose: The abbreviations in the Academic Qualifications Table are for this list only and do not carry any other meaning. [T-taiwan]

Citations

• T-taiwan — Taiwan