New Zealand has a good reputation of having a high quality of life, developed healthcare system, and very friendly immigration policies. The country is always in need of trained medical personnel to fill the workforce gaps in the vital areas, especially in the aged care, disability care, and mental health facilities. Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa is one of the most popular avenues of the foreign workers who wish to be permanently settled in New Zealand and at the same time contribute to its care industry. The guide has an elaborate description of eligibility, documents required, step by step application, frequently asked questions, and insightful information that will help future applicants to get through the application process.
New Zealand Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
One of the avenues through which foreign employees in the health care and disability support industries can acquire a work visa in New Zealand and later acquire residence is the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa. It will lure competent and qualified caregivers that meet the industry requirements and help the country to fill the ever-increasing need of support workers.
This visa belongs to the wider immigration of New Zealand health sector and is in line with the aim to ensure that the country has good care services. It enables the applicants to be employed in New Zealand within a stipulated time during which they accomplish the eligibility provisions of residence.
Eligibility Criteria
- Should also possess an employment option of a New Zealand employer in health or disability care that has been approved by the Ministry of Health or New Zealand Immigration.
- The occupation should be in the Long Term Skill Shortage List of healthcare or care workers.
- Should possess appropriate experience or qualification in working with care, aged care, disability support or mental services.
- Should be able to communicate in the English language, usually through accepted tests or qualifications of the English language.
- Should be 20 years and above during application.
- Should be planning to work in the care sector at least 30 hours per week or the full-time working standard as indicated by the immigration agencies.
- Each applicant satisfying the mentioned criteria can first be issued with a Work to Residence Visa that enables them to reside and work in New Zealand in the course of obtaining the necessary experience to apply to get a residence under the Care Workforce pathway.
New Zealand Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa Required Documents
To have a successful application, it is necessary to prepare the documents in depth. The common documents that are required are:
- Filled visa application form.
- Valid passport containing a minimum duration of six months prior to the planned stay.
- New passport sized photo that complies with the visa requirements of New Zealand.
- Employee written job offer or employment contract by a New Zealand employer in the care sector.
- Documentation of pertinent qualifications and professional qualifications in the healthcare and aged care or support of disability.
- Documents of work experience such as reference letters of former employers in the care field.
- Medical certificates or health examination forms filled.
- Police clearance certificates of countries that have lived in the past decade with a duration of six months or above.
- Indication of the financial ability to finance initial living costs in New Zealand.
- Any other documents demanded by the New Zealand Immigration authorities on a case-by-case basis.
Also Check: Canada Open Work Permit October 2025: Eligibility and Step By Step Application Process
Step By Step Visa Application Process
Follow the steps to get the visa
Step 1: At Ease a task provide
The preliminary one is to secure a full-time employment possibility in a brand new Zealand business enterprise who’s permitted inside the care enterprise. The employment must be on the long term talent scarcity list of care employees or allied health specialists.
Step 2: Check Employer Accreditation
Make sure the employer is certified by the Immigration New Zealand in order to employ foreign care workers under the Work to Residence pathway. The accreditation is essential in regards to eligibility of the visa.
Step 3: Fill Necessary Forms
Gather all the required forms such as employment contract, evidence of qualifications, reference letters and health and character certificates. Perform a second check on translations and authenticity.
Step 4: Visa Application
The applications may be posted online through the portal of the New Zealand Immigration or at the paper format depending on the preference and eligibility of the applicant. Make sure that every part is filled properly, and supporting documentation is provided.
Step 5: Pay Visa Fees
The applicants will be required to pay the application fee and other related fees of medical or police clearance. The records should have evidence of payment.
Step 6: Have Health Checks and Character Checks
The applicants will be obliged to take medical checkups with certified doctors and present police clearance certificates to meet health and character conditions.
Step 7: Wait for Visa Decision
The application will be reviewed by Immigration New Zealand, the job offer will be verified, eligibility of the applicant will be checked and all the supporting documents will be assessed. The processing time can take different durations, which range between several weeks and a few months.
Step 8: Accept Work to Residence Visa
In case of approval the applicant will be given a Work to Residence Visa where they will be able to live and work in New Zealand based on the period, which is normally 30 months.
Step 9: Start working in New Zealand
After arriving in New Zealand, the applicants are required to start employment in the desired field of care, where they are subjected to the employment terms and conditions, such as working full time and other duties that are specific to the industry.
Step 10: Submit an Application to be placed under the Care Workforce Category
Once applicants have attained the amount of work experience required, which is usually 24 months of full time work, they are then eligible to apply to live in New Zealand under the Care Workforce pathway. Applicants who are successful are given permanent residence and thus they can live and work permanently in New Zealand.
Benefits of New Zealand Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
- Offers an avenue to permanent accommodation in New Zealand.
- Gives access to work in the care industry without requiring the first visa to be sponsored by the employer.
- Access to professional experience in a highly-ranked healthcare system.
- Capability to work and reside in a high standard of living and a good level of social services.
- Liberty to change to other types of visa later on one time.
- Entitlement to the healthcare and welfare systems in New Zealand on the visa.
Problems of the Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa
In spite of numerous advantages of the visa, the applicants are to keep in mind the possible obstacles:
- Having high health and character standards.
- Gaining enough work experience to be eligible to live.
- Modifying the cultural and work environment in New Zealand.
- Going through the application process and giving correct documentation.
Useful Tips
- Make sure that the employer is a recognised accredited employer and the job can be done under the Work to Residence route.
- Prepare all the documents in time and make sure that translations are correct.
- Make the applications in advance before the desired commencement date so that it can take time to be processed.
- Be in good communication with the employer and Immigration New Zealand.
- Make sure that the visa terms are adhered to once in New Zealand.
FAQ’s
Who qualifies to have the New Zealand Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa?
The applicants should be employed by an accredited care employer in New Zealand to which they must have a job offer, work experience/ qualifications in a relevant area, health requirements, and character requirements.
What is the time taken to process this visa?
The processing period depends on the application but the majority of the applications take some few weeks or months to be processed.
Is it possible to switch employment during the Work to Residence Visa?
Yes, but the new employment still has to be within the care sector and pass the work to residence requirements
What will become of the required work experience thereafter?
Once the mandatory term of full-time work is completed, the applicants may seek residence under the Care Workforce pathway.
Can I study while on this visa?
Limited research can be permitted, though, the main aim of the visa is to work in the care field.
Is the visa renewable?
Initial Work to Residence Visa has a fixed duration, and there is the objective to shift to residence as opposed to renewal.
Am I permitted to work in any of the care positions under this visa?
The labor should be in a registered care position like the aged care, disability support, or mental health care and should qualify the labor.
Sum Up
The New Zealand Care Workforce Work to Residence Visa 2025 is a very lucrative avenue that offers foreign care workers in Australia to permanently live and work in New Zealand. It is set to fulfill the requirement of the country to acquire professional caregivers and provide applicants with a chance to have a wealth of work experience and a means of securing a permanent residence.