New Zealand faces an aging population and a continuing skills gap. To address this, the country has opened a path that shows how much it values care workers in its health system. The Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa offers more than just short-term work. It gives overseas health pros a chance to live in New Zealand for good if they plan to stay and help long-term.
This visa could lead you to a steady rewarding life in Aotearoa if you work as a:
- Healthcare assistant
- Aged care worker
- Disability support worker
- Or in a similar care job
What Is the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa?
This visa has been created for foreign workers with jobs in New Zealand’s care workforce sector. It covers aged residential care, home support, and community health services. It gives skilled workers a chance to move from a temporary Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) to a residence class visa after they’ve worked for two years straight in a job that qualifies.
New Zealand started this program to address its severe lack of workers in aged care, disability support, and allied health services. These areas have struggled to find and keep qualified staff for a long time.
Who Can Apply for This Visa?
To get this residence visa, you need to:
- Have worked in a care workforce job listed on the Residence Pathway (Care Workforce Sector) roles for 24 months.
- Have held an Accredited Employer Work Visa while working for an accredited employer in New Zealand during that time.
- Earn at least the level 4 rate as defined in the Care and Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlement Agreement.
- Continue to work for an accredited employer when you apply.
Your job must fall under one of the approved types—these include but are not limited to:
- Aged Care Worker
- Disability Support Worker
- Health Care Assistant
- Residential Carer
- Personal Care Assistant
New Zealand’s government keeps the full list up to date here, and Ezy Immigration can help you check if you qualify and if your job fits the requirements.
The Importance of This Visa for International Care Workers
The Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa has great value for people in care-related jobs who had no direct way to become residents in New Zealand. Before this visa existed many health care assistants and aged support workers had to keep renewing temporary visas over and over, with no long-term security.
Now, if you have the right job and qualifications, and you work in these fields, you can:
- Get permanent residency after working for 2 years
- Bring family members as dependents
- Help New Zealand’s healthcare system with long-term value
- Have the same employment rights and social benefits as residents
This also gives much-needed workforce stability to employers across New Zealand who struggle with ongoing staff shortages in rest homes, disability services, and hospitals.
Path From Temporary to Resident
Most applicants start by getting an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). This lets them work for an accredited employer in New Zealand in an eligible care job.
After finishing two years of full-time work (at least 30 hours ), workers can apply for the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa.
This is where Ezy Immigration comes in—to make sure the shift goes , follows rules, and gets good support. From checking job contracts to gathering proof, we help workers and their bosses make every step matter.
If you’re not sure if your boss is approved or your job fits, check out our Accredited Employer Visa Guide or reach out to us for a look at your case.
Is This the Same as the Green List Visa Path?
No. The Care Workforce pathway differs from the Green List Work to Residence Visa, which focuses on specialized jobs like doctors, nurses, and engineers.
Unlike the Green List, the Care Workforce Residence Visa doesn’t require advanced qualifications or registration with professional bodies. It recognizes the importance of practical caregiving experience in high-demand fields such as aged care, disability support, and mental health services.
However, if you’re a registered nurse or clinical professional, our Green List Visa Guide might suit you better.
How to Make Your Application Stronger
Care sector work can challenge you, but people appreciate your contributions. To make your residence application stronger:
- Maintain complete job records, including start dates, hours, and pay rates.
- work for certified employers.
- Make sure your position meets the lowest pay rate and skill requirements.
- Keep steady full-time hours—you need at least 30 hours each week.
- Ask experts about residence paperwork and schedules.
At Ezy Immigration, we stand by you from start to finish—from when you get your first work visa to when you receive your final residence approval.
Why Take Action Now?
New Zealand’s population gets older, and the need for caring qualified care workers has reached an all-time high. The government keeps checking immigration rules, and visa types can shift based on job market conditions. Taking action now makes sure you don’t lose the chance while the path stays open.
With the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa, New Zealand offers more than a job—it offers a future.
Let Ezy Immigration guide you through the process.
Want Help with Your Application?
Are you a healthcare or aged care worker curious about your eligibility for the Work to Residence pathway? Ezy Immigration can lend a hand. We specialize in healthcare and residence visas, and our team offers support from eligibility checks all the way to residence lodgement.
Learn more about our Work to Residence Visa services or schedule a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can add partners and dependent children to your residence application.
You need to finish 24 months of full-time work (30+ hours each week) in a job that qualifies.
No, you don’t need formal qualifications. But you must meet the job’s skill level and pay rate requirements.
There’s no set cap. But policy settings can change. So it’s smart to apply.
You must work for an accredited employer when you apply for residence. If your employer loses accreditation, you’ll have to switch to another accredited employer.
You can, but you need to make sure of two things. First, any new employer must have accreditation. Second, your new job has to stay on the list of approved occupations.
