Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa (October 2025 update)

Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa

If you are a care professional (for example in aged care, incapacity support or mental-health support) and you’re looking to build a stable future abroad, the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa for New Zealand is a strong choice. This visa lets you work in New Zealand’s care subdivision and then apply for permanent residency afterward conference required conditions. The article below covers everything you need to know—from pardon the visa is, suitability, step-by-step process, documents, costs, benefits and trials—so that after interpretation this, you won’t need to hunt further.

Programme Name	Start Date	End Date	Amount / Visa Type	Method of Application
Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa	Available now (2025)	Until policy changes	Work-to-Residence pathway (no fixed “assistance amount” but leads to PR)	Online via Immigration NZ portal

What Is the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa?

The Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa is a pathway if by Immigration New Zealand (INZ) that allows qualified foreign care workers to live and work in New Zealand in eligible care parts, and after conference the work circumstances you can apply for residence.
In simpler terms: you secure a full-time job in the care sector with an accredited employer, you work for a obligatory period, you meet health, character, English and wage necessities; then you apply for enduring residence via this route.
It is designed because New Zealand has shortages in aged care, incapacity facilities then mental-health provision — so this visa helps fill those gaps.

Why Choose New Zealand for a Care Career?

• New Zealand offers a good quality of life, safe environment and a well-regulated labour market.
• The care sector is in demand: aged-care workers, disability support workers, nursing support and related roles are listed for residence pathways.
• The visa gives a pathway to permanent residence, not just short-term work.
• As a Pakistani applicant, it means you have the chance to relocate, earn, work in an organised environment and settle eventually.
• You may bring your partner and dependents under certain conditions.

Key Highlights of the 2025 Visa Programme

Here are the major features Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa:

• Eligible Visa Type: “Work to Residence” for care-workforce sector.
• Eligible Roles: Care workforce occupations such as Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker, Disability Services Officer, Therapy Aide, Personal Care Assistant, etc.
• Work Requirement: You must work for at least 24 months (2 years) in an eligible role in New Zealand for an accredited employer.
• Wage/Pay Rate: You must be paid at least the Level 4 hourly rate (for example NZD $28.25 per hour from 1 July 2022) under the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlement Act.
• Employer Accreditation: Your employer must be accredited by Immigration NZ and the job must be with that accredited employer.
• Hours per Week: The job must be full-time, typically at least 30 hours/week.
• Age Limit & Other Requirements: Usually you must be aged 55 or younger at the time of residence application. You must meet English, health and character requirements.

Eligibility Criteria for 2025 Applicants

Let’s break it down in simple language for you:

Job Offer & Employment

You must have a full-time job offer (or already be working) in New Zealand for an accredited employer in the care workforce subdivision. The job necessity be in one of the eligible jobs.

Eligible Occupation

Your job must fall under the care workforce occupation list for this pathway: for example:

• Aged or Disabled Carer (ANZSCO 423111)
• Nursing Support Worker (423312)
• Disability Services Officer (411712)
• Personal Care Assistant (423313)
• Therapy Aide (423314)

Work Duration & Hours

You need to complete 24 months (2 years) of full-time work in the role within the care workforce sector. The job must guarantee at least about 30 hours per week.

Pay/Wage Requirement

Your wage must meet the minimum specified in the Sector Agreement. For example: from 1 July 2022 onwards the Level 4 rate is NZD $28.25 per hour.

Age and Other Requirements

You must be aged 55 or younger when you smear for the residence stage. Also you must encounter English language requirements (e.g., IELTS or equivalent), be in good fitness, and have good charm (police permissions).

Employer Accreditation

Working for an accredited employer is critical — if your employer loses accreditation the pathway may be affected.

Documents Required for Application

Before you apply, make sure you gather the following:

• Valid passport (with at least +6 months validity)
• Recent passport-size photographs meeting NZ standards
• Job offer letter or service contract from accredited boss
• Documents proving your experiences/training and professional involvement in care sector
• Evidence of your employment and pay in the succeeding role (for the 2-year period)
• English language test results (or proof you meet English criteria)
• Police clearance(s) from countries you lived in for over 6 months in last 10 years
• Medical certificate from approved doctor showing you meet health supplies
• Proof of working hours and wage rate (pay-slips, etc)
• Any additional leaflets as entreated by Migration NZ.

Step-by-Step Application Process (October 2025 Update)

Here’s your roadmap:

Step 1: Secure a Job Offer

Find a full-time job in an eligible care role with an accredited employer in New Zealand.

Step 2: Verify Employer Accreditation

Check that the employer is accredited under INZ’s rules; this is non-negotiable.

Step 3: Gather All Documents

Collect everything required—job contract, proof of wage, qualifications, English test, health/character documents.

Step 4: Apply for Work Visa (if needed)

If you are not yet working in NZ, you may first need an accredited-employer work visa (AEWV) for your job.

Step 5: Work for the Required Period

Work in your job for 24 months (full-time) under the required conditions (wage, employer, hours).

Step 6: Prepare Residence Application

Once you have the 24 months completed, you prepare to apply for the house visa under the trail—gathering proof of your work, employer authorization, etc.

Step 7: Lodge Residence Application

Apply online via Immigration NZ (portal) for the Residence Visa under the Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway.

Step 8: Wait for Decision

Processing times may vary depending on completeness of your application and INZ workload.

Step 9: If Approved – Arrive and Settle

Once you get the residence visa, you can live and work in NZ permanently, and access public services similar to New Zealand residents.

Step 10: Include Your Family (if applicable)

You may bring your spouse/partner and dependent children (subject to their health/character/English) as part of your residency application.

Benefits of the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa

• You get a pathway to permanent residence rather than temporary work only.
• You work in a very high-demand area (care/aged/disability) so employment opportunities are good.
• You may bring dependents and settle long-term in a safe country.
• You get access to New Zealand’s public services (health, education) once resident.
• Ability to change roles/employers (after residence) gives flexibility.
• For Pakistani workers, this offers a strong future-oriented migration option.

Common Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Challenge	Solution
Employer loses accreditation	Before you start, confirm accreditation, and monitor it during your work period.
Wage rate not met	Ensure the offered wage meets or exceeds the required hourly rate (e.g., NZ$28.25/h or updated) from the start.
Gaps in employment or fewer hours	Make sure your employment is continuous full-time (30+ hours/week) for 24 months.
Missing documents or incomplete proof	Gather and organise all documents ahead of time; keep scanned copies and translations if needed.
English language requirement	Plan the English test early, aim to meet the required score.
Change of employers or job role	If you change employer, the new employer must be accredited and the job must still be eligible for the pathway.

Costs & Processing Time (2025 Update)

• Fees for residence application vary: some industry guides mention around NZD $4,000+ for the application fee.
• Processing time: While work to residence requires 24 months of work first, once you apply for residence the waiting time may be several months depending on document correctness and INZ workload.
• Other costs: Medical exams, English tests, police clearances, document translations, relocation costs — you should budget for all.
• Important: Always check the official INZ website for the latest fee and processing time, as they can change.

How to Renew or Extend Your Work Visa

If your initial work visa (e.g., Accredited Employer Work Visa) expires before you complete your qualifying 24-month period:

• Ensure you apply for renewal or extension before expiry.
• Provide evidence you are still employed in the qualifying role, by the accredited employer, and working full-time.
• Maintain the required wage rate and keep all records intact.
• If your employer is no longer accredited or your job changes, you may need to move to another employer with accreditation.

FAQs

Conclusion

The Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa is a honest and valuable occasion for care specialists in Pakistan who want to migrate to New Zealand, work in high-demand roles (aged care, disability support, personal care) and ultimately settle. If you secure a full-time job offer from an accredited employer, ensure you encounter work/ wage/ boss/ hours requirements, gather all your documents, fulfil 24 months of full-time work, and formerly lodge your residence application—you could achieve permanent house in New Zealand. This article has given you all the ladders, criteria, documents and tips.