A new temporary visa for family of Ukrainians in New Zealand
The New Zealand government has released a new temporary visa to help Ukrainians in New Zealand bring their family still in Ukraine to New Zealand.
Applications for the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa are open for 12 months from 15 March 2022.
Who is eligible for a 2022 Special Ukraine Visa?
To be eligible, you must have family members in New Zealand who are eligible to sponsor you.
You must be physically in Ukraine as at January 2022, and meet the usual and health and character requirements.
Who can be a sponsor?
Eligible family members in New Zealand can sponsor their:
- parents
- grandparents
- siblings
- adult children
Each of these applicants can include their partners and dependent children in their visa application.
To be eligible to sponsor, you must:
- be ordinarily resident in New Zealand
- be a New Zealand citizen or the holder of a current residence class visa
- have been born in Ukraine, or have held citizenship or be a permanent resident of Ukraine, and
- be an acceptable sponsor for a temporary visa.
Sponsors will be responsible for your accommodation and living expenses while in New Zealand.
How to apply
An eligible sponsor (a Ukrainian in New Zealand who is a citizen or resident) can nominate a relative and their family. A successful nomination will lead to an invitation to apply for a visa. If the visa application is successful, the family member will have 9 months to travel to NZ and can remain in New Zealand for 2 years.
What is the process?
If you are a Ukrainian New Zealander you can sponsor family members in Ukraine to apply for the new temporary visa. You first need to complete an expression of interest (EOI) and nominate them.
If you are in Ukraine, once your New Zealand family member has nominated you, you can apply for the visa. If you cannot apply yourself your New Zealand family member can apply on your behalf.
If you are successful
If you are invited to apply and your application is successful, you and your wider family will be offered a 2-year visa. Adults will have the right to work in New Zealand and children aged 18 may study as domestic (fee-free) students.
How we can help
The team at New Zealand Shores can help secure the nomination and visas for your family.
