Navigating the Care Workforce Pathway to Residence

Swarna Kamakshi 

6 June 2025

The Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa is an immigration pathway designed to acknowledge and support the essential contributions of care workers in New Zealand. For migrant care workers making an enormous difference in the lives of others every day, this visa offers a clear and structured route to residency while helping to address critical workforce shortages in the sector. 

This visa pathway currently allows eligible migrant workers with occupations in aged care, disability support and related services, to apply for residency after 24 months of work in New Zealand.  

So, who can apply? 

To be eligible for the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa, applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Employment duration and wage: You must have worked a minimum of 24 months in an eligible care role and received no less than the care sector agreement’s prescribed wage rate (NZD $28.25 per hour).  

• Existing visa status: You must hold an Accredited Employer Work Visa or another type of work visa at the time the residence application is made.  

• Employment conditions: You must be employed currently or have a job offer from an Accredited Employer in a qualifying role, with a minimum of 30 hours per week guaranteed. The employment must be permanent or for a fixed term of at least 12 months. 

• Age requirement: You must be aged 55 or younger at the time the residence application is submitted to Immigration New Zealand.  
  
• English language requirement: You must provide acceptable English language test results if you are the principal applicant or meet other English language criteria as set out for this pathway. 

What roles qualify? 

Migrants working in the following roles in New Zealand may be eligible to apply for this resident visa: 

• Kaiawhina (Hauora) (Māori Health Assistant) 

• Disabilities Services Officer  

• Residential Care Officer 

• Aged or Disabled Carer 

• Nursing Support Worker 

• Personal Care Assistant 

• Therapy Aide 

• Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant 

• Diversional Therapist 

Can I include my partner and dependent children? 

Your partner and dependent children can be included in the residence application, but they will also be required to meet the specified health, character, and English language criteria. Your partner and any children aged 16 and over must have acceptable scores in English tests, or you may need to agree to pay for English language lessons for them to learn English. 

How Pitt & Moore can help 

At Pitt & Moore, we offer trusted immigration advice and have extensive experience supporting individuals and their families applying for residence through the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa pathway. We recognise that migrant care workers in New Zealand play a pivotal role in our community, maintaining and improving New Zealand’s public health and social care services and we’re here to help make the residence application process as smooth and efficient as possible for those wanting to settle in New Zealand.  

We offer an initial, free 15-minute consultation to discuss your unique situation. Book your consultation with us today by clicking here.  

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is of a general nature and is not intended as legal advice. It is important that you seek legal advice that is specific to your circumstances.