Assessing potential

We will assess an applicant as having the potential to settle and contribute if they:

• have an offer of, or are already working in, ongoing skilled employment in New Zealand
  or
• they have:
  • a Doctorate or Masters degree that they gained after at least two year’s full time study in New Zealand
    or
  • a qualification gained after at least two year’s full time study in New Zealand
  • in an area of identified future growth or area of absolute skills shortage.

If the applicant doesn't meet these criteria, we may need to further assess their potential ability to settle and contribute.

Further assessment

In order to assess whether the applicant will be able to to settle and contribute if they don't meet the criteria above, their application will undergo further assessment. This assessment will include verification of the material already provided in the application and an interview with the applicant and any family included in their application. This interview will assess them on three factors:

• employment prospects
• familiarity with New Zealand and their preparedness for settlement
• linkages and support in New Zealand.

The results of this assessment, including the interview will help us determine whether to approve the application for residence. In some cases we may defer our decision on whether to grant residence until an applicant has obtained an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand.