Dedicated pathways for residence now exist for workers within the care and transport sectors.
Our team are experienced in advising on and preparing applications for skilled residence visas, including applications through various iterations of Work to Residence pathways implemented by Immigration New Zealand (INZ). Our experience therefore places us in good stead to assist with the Transport Work to Residence Visa, and the Care Workforce Residence Visa, both of which are due to open on 29 September 2023, when the first group of workers will become eligible to apply.
These residence pathways have been put in place to provide those working for accredited employers in the care workforce and transport sectors with an alternative pathway to residence, outside of the traditional Skilled Migrant Category, or the Green List pathways that they are less likely to qualify for.
Our experience with residence class visa applications means that we are able to assist with the application process from end-to-end, starting with identifying the most appropriate pathway for potential applicants as early as possible, and assisting with preparing all relevant employment and application documents to ensure that once an applicant starts on their work to residence pathway, their journey is a smooth and successful one.
Care Workforce
The Care Workforce Work to Residence pathway allows for the grant of residence to an applicant in current full-time employment or with an offer of full-time employment for a specific occupation included under INZ policy, where the applicant is also paid at or above the Level 4 rate stipulated in the Support Workers (Pay Equity) Settlements Act 2017.
The included occupations are:
- 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)
In order to qualify for the grant of residence, an applicant must have worked for at least 24 months in New Zealand in one of the occupations listed above, on and after 29 September 2021, and must have been paid at or above the Level 4 rate for the duration of the 24-month period. They must also have an offer of employment or be working in such a role, at the time they apply for residence.
Transport Sector
Similarly, the Transport Sector Work to Residence pathway allows for the grant of residence to applicants who have completed 24 months of full-time employment in New Zealand in a specified occupation in the transport sector.
Again, specified occupations are set out under INZ policy; however, applicants also need to meet the specific requirements for their chosen occupation, including any specific licensing or minimum remuneration requirements. These vary for each occupation, in both scope and timing, and so it is vital to vet an applicant’s eligibility as early as possible to increase their likelihood of a successful residence application when the time comes to apply.
The included occupations are:
- Bus Driver (731211)
- Truck Driver (733111)
- Aircraft Refueller (733112)
- Furniture Removalist (733113)
- Tanker Driver (733114)
- Tow Truck Driver (733115)
- Ship’s Master (231231)
- Deck Hand (899211)
In order to qualify for the grant of residence, an applicant must have worked in the above occupations for 24 months. This can include different types of work within more than one of the above occupations, for example 6 months as a Deck Hand and 18 months as a Ship’s Master.
Furthermore, if an occupation is removed from the occupation list after the applicant has started to count their work experience, the work can still be counted if the applicant remains in that occupation. Our expertise in identifying potential residence pathways for workers in the transport sector means that applicants can start on their pathway at the earliest opportunity, thereby reducing the risk that they are affected by any changes to the occupation list.
The above is a brief overview of the Work to Residence pathways. There are many additional requirements, including standard health, character and English requirements for residence, and where a change in circumstances occurs that may impact on subsequent eligibility for residence, we specialise in advising clients on how best to navigate those changes so that they are not thrown off course from their residence pathway.
How Saunders & Co can add value:
- We will provide an initial, no obligation review of your circumstances, to determine what options may be available to you under the above Work to Residence pathways to maximise the chances of a successful residence application
- We will identify any potential issues for each stage of the application process, and ensuring that these are suitably addressed as early on as possible
- For those yet to obtain the required work visa, we can assist you and your employer to ensure a successful work visa application
- We will prepare each stage of the process and be your point of contact throughout
Links to further information:
- Changes to Accredited Employer Work Visa Category and Skilled Residence Pathways
- Sector Agreements policy and Work to Residence pathway for caregivers announced