Sector Agreement pathways

Applicants employed in particular Care Workforce and Transport sector roles have a pathway to residence after working in their roles for 24 months, and within the previous 30 months, anytime from 29 September 2021.

The Care Workforce Agreement pathway
There are nine specific care worker roles included in the Care Workforce sector: Kaiāwhina, Disabilities Service Officer, Residential Care Officer, Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant, Therapy Aide, Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant and Diversional Therapist.

Transport Sector Agreement pathway
The roles include bus drivers, various categories of truck drivers, ship masters and deck hands.

However, the Government closed new Accredited Employer Work Visa applications from 7 April 2024 for bus and truck drivers and so this residence pathway is no longer available for new applicants. Drivers who hold, or who had applied for, and AEWV remain able to progress this work-to-residence pathway. The change does not impact ship masters and deckhands.

All Work to Residence applicants must also, at the time of the residence application:

• Be aged under 56 years
  
• Be of acceptable health and character
  
• Meet the English language requirement – equivalent to IELTS 6.5. It is expected that meeting this English requirement will be one of the main challenges facing workers and enrolling in English language programmes to progress their English should happen sooner rather than later.
  

It is very important to plan ahead for this residence application due to the reliance of the required work experience in New Zealand. Contact a Pathways® licensed immigration adviser today to check your work to residence eligibility and begin the planning for your application today.