Why the Care Workforce Gets a Direct Residence Pathway
New Zealand has a critical and ongoing shortage of care workers. In recognition of this, Immigration New Zealand created a dedicated Work to Residence pathway for people in eligible care roles — bypassing the Skilled Migrant points system entirely.
What You Need to Qualify
All requirements must be met at the time of application. Meeting some but not all will result in a declined application — preparation is everything.
Eligible Care Role
You must be working in an eligible care role in the aged care or disability support sector. The role must match an approved ANZSCO occupation code — see the eligible roles list below.
Accredited Employer
Your employer must be accredited with Immigration New Zealand under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework. Not all care employers are accredited — we can confirm your employer’s status quickly.
24 Months Work Experience
You must have at least 24 months of work experience in an eligible care role in New Zealand within the past 36 months. This can be split across multiple accredited employers in the same sector.
Median Wage or Above
Your base salary must be at or above the New Zealand median wage at the time of application. The median wage is updated by INZ periodically — we will confirm the current threshold during your consultation.
Eligible Work Visa
You must hold or have held an eligible New Zealand work visa — typically an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). All counted work must have been carried out lawfully under a valid visa.
Health & Character
All residence applicants must meet INZ’s health and character requirements. A full medical examination (INZ 1007) by an approved Panel Physician is required, along with police certificates from all relevant countries.
Which Roles Qualify?
The following care roles are recognised under this pathway. Your role must match an approved ANZSCO code and be carried out for an accredited employer.
Sector
ANZSCO Code
Not sure if your role qualifies? We’ll confirm your ANZSCO code and eligibility free of charge.
Documents & Evidence Required
A complete, well-organised application significantly reduces processing time and the chance of INZ requesting additional information.
💼 Employment Evidence
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Employment agreements
Signed employment agreements covering all periods of eligible work, clearly showing your role title, start date, and pay rate.
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Payslips (24 months)
Payslips for all months of eligible employment, confirming you were paid at or above the median wage throughout.
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Employer confirmation letter
A letter from your current employer confirming your role, start date, hours worked, rate of pay, and their accreditation status.
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Employer accreditation evidence
Confirmation that your employer holds current INZ accreditation. We can verify this directly with INZ records.
📄 Identity & Visa Documents
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Valid passport
Your current passport, plus any previous passports covering the period of your New Zealand work history.
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Current and previous visa labels / eVisas
Evidence that all work counted towards your 24 months was performed lawfully under a valid work visa.
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Partner & children’s documents
If including family members, their passports, birth certificates, and relationship evidence (marriage certificate or de facto evidence).
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IRD number & tax records
Confirms your work and earnings in New Zealand, cross-referenced with employer payroll records.
🏥 Health & Character Documents
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Medical examination (INZ 1007)
Full medical including chest X-ray, completed by an INZ-approved Panel Physician. Book early — slots fill quickly.
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Police certificates
From every country where you (or included family members) have lived for 12+ months in the past 10 years.
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NZ Police certificate
Required if you have lived in New Zealand for 12 or more months at any time.
How the Process Works
From first conversation to residence approval — here is exactly how we guide you through.
Eligibility Check
We confirm your ANZSCO code, verify your employer’s accreditation, calculate your qualifying work period, and check your pay rate against the current median wage — all in a free initial consultation.
Start Collecting Evidence Early
We advise you to begin gathering payslips, employment agreements, and employer letters well before you reach 24 months — so you can apply immediately once you qualify.
Health & Character Checks
We coordinate your medical examination with an approved Panel Physician and guide you through obtaining police certificates from all required countries, timed so they remain valid at lodgement.
Application Preparation
We prepare your full application package — completing all INZ forms, organising documents in INZ’s preferred order, and writing covering notes where needed.
Lodgement & INZ Liaison
We lodge your application through INZ’s online portal and manage all correspondence with INZ, responding promptly to any requests for further information.
Residence Approved
Once approved, we confirm your visa conditions, advise on travel requirements to activate residence, and map out the path to permanent residence and citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Care Work Deserves Residence
You’ve put in the work looking after New Zealand’s most vulnerable people. Now let us help you secure your future here. Our licensed advisers will confirm your eligibility, prepare a complete application, and guide you through every step to residence.
