Pathway to Nursing Jobs in New Zealand

Visa options:

1. Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)
2. Occupational Registration Visitor Visa
3. Specific Purpose Work Visa (for applicants from the Philippines)

Before you apply for a visa:

To work as a nurse in New Zealand, health professionals must:

• Be registered with the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ)
• Complete a Competence Assessment Programme (CAP), if required
• Meet Immigration New Zealand (INZ) visa requirements

How to register with NCNZ:

Applicants need to choose the registration pathway based on their current nursing registration:

• Applying with Australian registration.
• Internationally Qualified Nurses (IQN) with non-Australian registration.

In some cases, completing a CAP is necessary as part of the NCNZ registration. Check the NCNZ website for information on how to register and enrol in a CAP course.

If you do not need a CAP:

If NCNZ informs you that a CAP is not required, you can apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and begin working in New Zealand upon arrival.

If you do need a CAP:

If CAP is required, applicants can apply for the Occupational Registration Visitor Visa. Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand provides financial support through the Internationally Qualified Nurses CAP Fund for eligible applicants.

Visa requirements for CAP:

To apply for the Occupational Registration Visitor Visa, you will need the following documents:

• A letter from NCNZ confirming CAP requirement
• An “offer of place” confirmation from your CAP provider
• Payment receipt of course fees (if applicable)

When completing the online form for this visa, follow these steps:

1. Select “Visitor” as the visa type.
2. Choose “Professional” for the purpose of your visit.
3. Indicate you are visiting “To seek occupational registration in New Zealand.”

After completing your CAP:

Once you have successfully completed your CAP and are registered with NCNZ, you can apply for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). To be eligible, you’ll need a job offer from a New Zealand employer and meet the immigration requirements.

Special visa for Philippine applicants:

If you are from the Philippines, you can apply for the Specific Purpose Work Visa if you:

• Are registered as an Internationally Qualified Nurse (IQN)
• Have a job offer from a district health board or Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
• Are accepted into the Nursing Council’s CAP

For further information or guidance on how this update might affect visa applications, contact Arno Nothnagel, Director of New Zealand Immigration, at arno.nothnagel@ absoluteimmigration.com.