Sector Agreement pathways to residence

Pathways to residence through work

Is your role part of a Sector Agreement?

Certain industries in New Zealand benefit from a Sector Agreement which facilitates a pathway to New Zealand for overseas workers.

Care Workforce Sector Agreement Pathway

You can apply for this visa if you work for an accredited employer and you have worked in a care workforce sector role for 24 months.

Immigration New Zealand continues to acknowledge the critical shortage of Healthcare Workers and the ongoing need to attract and retain skilled care workers in New Zealand. People who fall under the below occupations are able to apply for residence under the Work to Residence pathway if they meet the following criteria:

have employment with an Accredited Employer and holds an Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
work in an occupation that is on the Care Workforce sector occupations list
are paid at least NZD $28.25 an hour (level 4) of the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Act 2017
have worked in that role at the level 4 rate for 24 months in New Zealand.

Note: the current Level 4 rate can be found in the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Act 2017 – Schedule 2 Minimum hourly wages. For the period from 1 July 2022 – 31 December 2023 the Level 4 rate is $28.25.

The following occupations qualify for residence from 29 September 2023:

Kaiawhina (Hauora) (Maori Health Assistant) (411512)
Disabilities Services Officer (411712)
Residential Care Officer (411715)
Aged or Disabled Carer (423111)
Nursing Support Worker (423312)
Personal Care Assistant (423313)
Therapy Aide (423314)
Child or Youth Residential Care Assistant (423411)
Diversional Therapist (411311)

Transport Sector Agreement Pathway

Note: the Transport Sector Agreement pathway is closed to new entrants from 7 April 2024.

You will not be eligible if you applied for your Accredited Employer Work visa after this date.

You can apply for this visa if you work for an accredited employer and you have worked in a Transport workforce sector role for 24 months.

The following occupations qualify for residence from 29 September 2023:

Bus Driver (731211)

Must hold a 'P' endorsement on a class two New Zealand drivers' licence and be paid at least $28 per hour and either have a job offer or current employment:

with an employer who has signed the Waka Kotahi (New Zealand Transport Authority) 'All Parties Memorandum of Understanding on Improving Driver Terms and Conditions' for the region they are working in; or
as a school bus driver on a Ministry of Education-funded school bus service (list of operators provided by Ministry of Education); or
as a school bus driver on a service directly contracted to a school.

Truck Driver (733111)

Aircraft Refueller (733112)

Furniture Removalist (733113)

Tanker Driver (733114)

Tow Truck Driver (733115)

Ship's Master (231213)

Must be paid at the least the median wage, and either hold:

the Skipper Restricted Limits Certificate of Competency (CoC) with 500GT or 3000GT endorsement; or
a Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Certificate of Competency (CoC) that entitles the holder to perform the duties of a Ship's Master on a vessel that is 500 gross tonnes or more (as recognised by Maritime New Zealand).

Deck Hand (899211)

Please reach out to us if you are in one of these roles and you believe you are eligible to apply for residence under this pathway.

What if I am not eligible under these options?

You may qualify under alternative pathways, including Green list occupations, or the Skilled Migrant Category.

What does this application cost?

The advertised fees per family are:

Band A (NZ): NZD $4,290
Band B (Pacific): NZD $4,020
Band C (rest of world): NZD $4,890.

These fees include Goods and Services Tax (GST) and exclude the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).

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