new zealand tourist visa for ukrainian

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Immigration pathway for Ukrainians extended

• 2022 Special Ukraine Visa application window extended to 15 March 2024
• Travel period extended from nine to 12 months
• Introduction of an ‘acceptable sponsor’ who is not necessarily the ‘nominating family member’ willing to take on financial and other obligations

One year since Russia launched its illegal war against Ukraine, the Government is expanding the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa to further support those impacted by the war Immigration Minister Michael Wood has announced.

“We recognise the impact the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has on its people, and the efforts of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Ukraine community to support their family members,” Michael Wood said.

“The Special Ukraine Visa was scheduled to close to new Expressions of Interest on 15 March 2023, however given the conflict is ongoing, it is appropriate that New Zealand continues to allow this pathway for families of Ukrainians in New Zealand.

The Government is extending the window to submit an Expression of Interest to 15 March 2024, along with extending the period allowed for travel to New Zealand from nine to 12 months and expands eligibility criteria.

“These changes give clarity to members of New Zealand’s Ukraine community who still want to bring their family members here,” Michael Wood said.

“Extending the travel window for future applicants from nine to 12 months after receiving the visa recognises that securing travel options is currently difficult and this change will assist Ukrainians in reaching New Zealand when it is suitable and possible for them to do so.

The Government is also changing the way sponsorship works for the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa.

“Rather than relying on one family sponsor, each application will have a ‘nominating family member’ who meets the New Zealand and Ukrainian residency requirements and an ‘acceptable sponsor’ who would take on financial responsibility for the applicant – the sponsor could be the same person as the nominating family member, or could be a separate person or entity willing to take on the financial obligations,” Michael Wood said.

“We’re broadening the criteria for those who can nominate a family member to include those with Ukrainian heritage to expand the pool of eligible New Zealand residents or citizens who may want to support their family members in Ukraine to come to New Zealand.

“Those who can be sponsored under the category is also expanding to include other adult family members who have lived with the family for a substantial period of time. This could be aunts, uncles, grandchildren, nieces and nephews first cousins and stepsiblings.

“The changes are unique to this visa and recognise New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to support Ukraine.

“We acknowledge advocacy from Mahi for Ukraine who have and continue to support their whanau and community through the conflict, both here New Zealand and in Ukraine,” Michael Wood said. 

 Additional information :

The government will continue to waive immigration fees to ensure immigration costs are not a barrier for eligible people.

There will be no changes to the process regarding how expressions of interest are submitted or applications are made.

Recognising the difficulties some people will face securing documentation in a war zone, for example around police and medical certificates, the visa will continue to operate on a high trust basis.

  2022 Special Ukraine visa holders have access to publicly funded healthcare, and children are able to attend school as domestic students, while adults are able to access free English-language classes.

  Special visa holders are encouraged to take up the free one-off health assessment that has been established by the Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand.

  Expressions of interest will remain open for a further year. From 15 March, visas granted will have a longer window of travel. From 27 March people can submit expressions of interest under the expanded sponsorship criteria.

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The Government has announced a new residence pathway for Special Ukraine Visa holders .

Immigration Minister, Andrew Little said the pathway will be made available to Special Ukraine Visa holders where the principal applicant was granted a Special Ukraine Visa and travelled to New Zealand before 15 March 2024.

“Many of those who sought safety here in New Zealand would never have anticipated being here long term, but as war continues we have a humanitarian obligation to provide certainty to them,” said Minister Little.

“The Government’s ongoing support of Ukraine and its people demonstrates Aotearoa New Zealand’s enduring support in a rules-based international system,” said Foreign Affairs Minister, Nanaia Mahuta.

“The conflict in Ukraine resonates deeply with us all. In launching this residence pathway, we are honouring our responsibility as global citizens, weaving together the threads of compassion, solidarity, and kaitiakitanga, affirming our commitment to support those affected ,” she said.

The Special Ukraine Visa first opened for applications for 12 months from 15 March 2022, as part of the Government’s response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.   It was later extended   another 12 months to 15 March 2024.

“The visa allows Ukrainians with close relatives who are New Zealand citizens or residents, to come to New Zealand to shelter for two years,” Mr Little said.

“In line with similar countries who have already closed their temporary pathways, the Special Ukraine Visa will close to Expressions of Interest from new applicants after 15 March 2024.

“Special Ukraine Visa holders who are in New Zealand can continue to apply for subsequent temporary visas under the existing policy, as long as they wish to shelter here, or await the outcome of their residence application.

“We’re making it as simple as possible to apply for the residence pathway.”New Zealand is a peaceful country, and we are enriched by the Ukrainians who wish to make New Zealand their home permanently,” he said.

As at 20 August 2023, around 1,510 Special Ukraine Visas have been granted since the special category was created. Around 340 special category visa holders are in New Zealand.

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New residence pathway for special ukraine visa holders in nz.

Immigration Minister Andrew Little Photo: RNZ / Lucy Xia

The government has announced a new residence pathway that will be available to some holders of Special Ukraine Visas.

It will be available where the principal applicant was granted a Special Ukraine Visa and travelled to New Zealand before 15 March 2024.

In a statement, Immigration Minister Andrew Little said New Zealand had a humanitarian obligation to provide some certainty to those who sought safety in this country as the war in Ukraine continued.

The government would be making it as simple as possible to apply for the residence pathway, Little said.

The Special Ukraine Visa first opened for applications for 12 months from 15 March 2022, as part of the government's response to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. It was later extended another 12 months to 15 March 2024.

Little said the visa allowed Ukrainians with close relatives who were New Zealand citizens or residents to come to this country and shelter for two years.

"New Zealand is a peaceful country, and we are enriched by the Ukrainians who wish to make New Zealand their home permanently," he said.

"We know that some have come here, quite like being here, want some certainty ... so this [residency pathway] will give them certainty so they can put down their roots."

As of 20 August 2023, about 1510 Special Ukraine Visas had been granted and about 340 special category visa holders are currently in New Zealand. Some had arrived but subsequently left to be in countries closer to home or moved to other visas.

Little said the maximum number of residencies under this pathway that New Zealand could issue was 1500, but he did not think all of them would want to apply for residency. He estimated that the final number of residencies issued may be closer to the hundreds.

Special Ukraine Visa applicants had slowed to almost zero in the past two to three months.

"What we're seeing is even though war is continuing, those who are seeking security outside of Ukraine are doing so closer to Ukraine. People come here because they have family connections here, or they have people willing to support and sponsor them here. We're not expecting a big uptick in further applications," Little said.

The total cost of support from New Zealand for Ukraine since the war broke out was about $82 million, including humanitarian support, military support, and support for the International Criminal Court as they conducted investigations into war crimes, he said.

Copyright © 2023 , Radio New Zealand

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• iVisa is NOT affiliated with any government agency. This site does not provide legal advice and we are not a law firm. None of our customer service representatives are lawyers and they also do not provide legal advice. We are a private, internet-based travel and immigration consultancy provider dedicated to helping individuals travel around the world. You may apply by yourself directly on the various government websites. The source of information: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/

Visa details in English

The Ukraine Resident Visa allows 2022 Special Ukraine Visa holders and their partners and children to live, work and study in New Zealand permanently.

To be eligible for this visa, the principal applicant must have arrived in New Zealand holding a 2022 Special Ukraine Visa on or before 15 March 2024.

The fee for this visa is:

• NZD$1,200 for people applying from New Zealand, or
• NZD$2,060 for people applying from any other country.

Applications are open now, and will close on 16 March 2026.

Health requirements

You and anyone included in your application must provide:

• a Limited Medical Certificate, and
• a chest X-ray.

Limited Medical Certificate

A limited medical certificate checks for conditions which are the most expensive and place the most demand on New Zealand’s health system and special education services. We cannot grant you a medical waiver if you or anyone included in your application has one of these conditions.

Limited Medical Certificate (INZ 1201) PDF 879KB

Who needs an X-ray or medical examination

Medical waivers for visa applications

Character requirements

You, and anyone else included in your application, must be of good character.

If you, or anyone else included in your application, are aged 17 or older you must provide a police certificate from:

• all the countries you are a citizen of, and
• any other country you have stayed in for 12 months or more over the last 10 years, even if it was not all in the same stay.

If you cannot provide police certificates, we may accept a statutory declaration instead.

How to get a police certificate

Good character for residence visas

Identity requirements

You, and anyone else included in your application, must provide proof of identity.

Prove your identity by providing:

• 2 acceptable passport sized photos of your head and shoulders
• your original or a certified copy of your passport or certificate of identity , and
• your original or a certified copy of your full birth certificate .

Acceptable photos for a visa or NZeTA

Language requirements

There are no English language requirements for this visa. You do not need to do an English language test as part of your application.

Dependent partner and children

You can include your partner and any dependent children in your application.

They do not need to:

• hold a 2022 Special Ukraine Visa, or
• be in New Zealand on or before 15 March 2024.

How to apply

To apply you must complete a Ukraine Resident Visa Application (INZ 1382). Applications cannot be made online.

Ukraine Resident Visa Application (INZ 1382) PDF 2MB

You can check our fees, decision times and where to apply page to find out where to send your application.

Fees, decision times and where to apply

After you have sent us your application, we will make a decision. If there is anything else you need to do, we will let you know.