New Zealand•OceaniaVaries
4,290 NZD
Indefinite
Yes
Required
Allowed
Available
Not Required
Residence visa for care workers in New Zealand with 24+ months at NZD $28.25/hr or more under an accredited employer, leading to PR after 2 years.
New Zealand's Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa offers permanent settlement for migrants in aged care, disability support, and mental health roles under the country's sector pathway. Issued by Immigration New Zealand, it converts 24 months of full-time care work into residency, provided the applicant is aged 55 or younger and earns at least NZD $28.25 per hour.
Holders live, work, and study in New Zealand indefinitely, and after two years may apply for a Permanent Resident Visa. The fee is NZD $6,450 and the role must be permanent or fixed-term for 12+ months with an accredited employer. Partners and dependent children aged 24 or younger may be included, and spouses can work without restriction.
This visa is ideal for experienced care, disability-support, or mental-health workers already in New Zealand who have completed 24 months under an accredited employer and want a direct residency pathway.
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
Must be 55 years of age or under.
Must be employed by an accredited employer.
Must have a full-time job offer that is permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months.
Must have worked in the care workforce for at least 24 months in the 30 months prior to application.
Must have been paid at least the required sector wage rate (Level 4 support worker rate).
Must meet English language, health, and character requirements.
Job Offer
Required
Education
none or higher
Experience
2+ years
Min. Income
58,760 EUR/yr
Valid passport.
Employment contract and job description.
Proof of 24 months of care workforce experience (e.g., pay slips, IRD summaries).
Medical and police certificates.
Evidence of English language proficiency.
| Care Workforce Work to Residence Application | — |
| Fee Breakdown · 0 · amount | 6450 | immigration.govt.nz |
| Fees | NZD 6,450 | immigration.govt.nz |
| Job Offer Required | true | immigration.govt.nz |
| Official Info | https://immigration.govt.nz/visas/care-workforce-work-to-residence-visa | immigration.govt.nz |
| Max Child Age | 24 | immigration.govt.nz |
| Max Stay | Indefinite | immigration.govt.nz |
| Min Income | 58760 | immigration.govt.nz |
| Renewable | true | immigration.govt.nz |
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