New Zealand’s immigration authority has published a list of 9 care workforce occupations that can lead to permanent residency under a dedicated pathwayApplicants must work full-time in one of the listed roles for at least 24 months within a 30-month window before submitting their applicationWorkers must also earn at least the care workforce sector wage rate throughout their qualifying employment periodPAY ATTENTION: Find it fast with our new search feature at Legit.ng! New Zealand has outlined nine specific care sector jobs that can qualify workers for permanent residency under the country’s Care Workforce and Transport Sector Pathway to Residence.According to New Zealand Immigration, the pathway requires applicants to have worked full-time in one of the listed occupations for a minimum of 24 months within the 30 months immediately preceding their application.New Zealand mentions occupations in the care sector that are eligible for permanent residency. Photo credit: Getty Images Source: Getty ImagesNew Zealand: Qualifying care workforce jobsThe roles eligible under the scheme span a broad range of care and support positions. The full list includes:PAY ATTENTION: From breaking news to viral moments.
Follow Legit.ng on Instagram!Māori Health Assistant — Kaiawhina (Hauora)Disabilities Services OfficerResidential Care OfficerAged or Disabled CarerNursing Support WorkerPersonal Care AssistantTherapy AideChild or Youth Residential Care AssistantDiversional TherapistThe occupations cover work across aged care, disability support, residential services, and child welfare settings, reflecting the sectors where New Zealand has identified sustained workforce demand.Wage requirement, eligibility conditionsAlongside the work experience requirement, applicants must have been paid at least the care workforce sector wage rate throughout their qualifying 24-month period. This earnings threshold is a mandatory condition of the pathway and is not waived for any of the listed roles.The structure of the pathway means that workers cannot count casual or part-time hours towards their qualifying period; only full-time employment in one of the nine specified roles is accepted. Applicants have a 30-month window from which to draw their 24 months of qualifying employment, providing some flexibility for those who may have changed employers within the sector.In a similar report, Legit.ng published that New Zealand released the list of occupations that grant foreigners a Peak Season Work Visa.New Zealand: Occupations qualified for Work-to-Residence pathwayMeanwhile, Legit.ng previously published that New Zealand decided to add 10 trades occupations to its Green List Work to Residence pathway. The roles include welders, fitters, metal fabricators, panel beaters and vehicle painters.For skilled workers from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, the update could offer a clearer route to permanent residency in New Zealand.
The changes also come with revised wage thresholds for skilled resident visas, making the new pathway worth a closer look. Source: Legit.ng Oluwadara Adebisi (Human Interest Editor) Adebisi Oluwadara is a Human Interest Editor who joined Legit.ng in January 2026. He has over seven years of experience in press release writing and journalism. He graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology.
However, he was mentored in journalism and became a certified journalist after completing the Google News Initiative courses in Advanced Digital Reporting and Fighting Misinformation. He can be reached at oluwadara.adebisi@corp.legit.ng Nigerian YouthsDiaspora Uae Demetress bell Kylian mbappe Gillian turner Mary bruce
