RESOURCES FOR NEW ARRIVALS

& 2022 SPECIAL UKRAINE VISA

Special Ukraine Visa/Residency Information & Help

    • Check out the details on the Immigration NZ site here -2022 Special Ukraine Visa.
      NOTE this category closed for new EOIs on 15 March 2024. 

    • Operational Manual INZ- check it out for further technical detail on the Special Ukraine Visa and any changes implemented since its release.

    • If you still have questions in relation to the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa, download this file with contact details of individuals and organisations in New Zealand (immigration advisers and law firms) who are willing to assist with your questions on a pro-bono basis (i.e. free of charge): Contact Details of Visa Assistants.pdf.

    • Additional questions can be referred directly to Immigration NZ. The best way to contact them for the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa is via a line set up at the Immigration Contact centre on: 0800 537 726 or 04 830 3599 (Wellington), 09 952 1695 (Auckland). If individuals or families have situation-specific questions, specialukraineeoi@mbie.govt.nz.

    • Special Ukraine Visa holders are eligible for publicly funded healthcare. Information on visa types that get access to publicly funded healthcare on arrival can be found HERE.

    • Attention Ukrainians already in NZ - if you have family members still in Ukraine and you require assistance with getting them here and specifically financial assistance with the cost of airfares to New Zealand (particularly if you are based in the Wellington region) - DM us on Facebook, as we are working with an organisation that may be able to assist.

    • Those who were not able to enter New Zealand on this visa before 15 March 2024, can still enter after this date per their visa entry requirements.

    • ADDITIONAL VISA:

    Based on Mahi for Ukraine discussions with Immigration New Zealand and a series of meetings with the Minister of Immigration throughout 2023, we can confirm that existing holders of the Special Visa who are in NZ are eligible to re-apply for the subsequent temporary Special Visa if they are currently in New Zealand.  Each applicant would need to complete the same application and follow the same process as previously when receiving their first visa.  *The Special Visa category has closed for new EOIs on 15 March 2024. 

    **View process detail here (in both English & Ukrainian language).

    • RESIDENCY:

    New Residence Pathway for Ukraine Special Visa Holders - a Ukraine Resident Visa (check for the Ukrainian version HERE) category opened 16 March 2024, providing a residence pathway for people in New Zealand on a temporary Special Ukraine Visa. This is not granted automatically, Ukraine Special Visa holders will need to apply for a resident visa under this pathway.

    *Remaining lawful in NZ: To continue staying in NZ applicants will need to have a valid temporary visa (Special Ukraine Visa or other) for the whole duration while their resident visa application is being processed. Those who apply for a Ukraine Residence Visa and need a further temporary Special Ukraine Visa to stay lawful while the residence visa application is assessed, can apply for an additional temporary visa after 15 March 2024 (**per the process outlined above).  Alternatively applicants may wish to leave NZ before their current SUV expires and await the outcome elsewhere. They can then re-enter NZ when/if the resident visa is granted.

    To be eligible for this residence pathway, applicants will need to:

    • hold a valid temporary Special Ukraine Visa, and

      1. the principal applicant must have arrived in New Zealand before 15 March 2024. Secondary applicants (such as partners and dependent children) do not have to be in New Zealand before this date.

    PROCESS: Detailed application process is available on theINZ website (application form INZ1382). Normal character and identity requirements apply, including police certificates. Police certificates may be waived if an applicant cannot obtain one and a statutory declaration is provided instead (however applicants MUST provide proof that they cannot obtain the police certificate). Limited medical certificates & chest X-ray are required. Applicants will not need to sit English language tests. If you are applying with a partner - proof of parnership must be provided. Applicants do not need to have access to suitable funds and are not required to have a sponsor. Applications will need to be submitted by post, relevant postal address for the receiving centre in your area can be found on the INZ website.

    !!! Further detail is available in our Facebook update, and clarifying questions can be asked under this post (please do not email us with questions, as the emails may not be responded to) - you can comment and tag @mahiforukraine or DM us on facebook if you need help.

    FEES: Ukraine Residence Visa application costs $1940 (the Immigration Levy is waived) - if the application is made from NZ (fees will vary when applying from overseas). This covers group and individual applications. 

    Detail: See the Cabinet paper: Future of the 2022 Special Ukraine Policy and associated Minute of Decision which has been proactively released in the MBIE document library in 2023.

Useful Settlement Resources for Ukrainians (incl. Special Ukraine Visa holders) arriving in NZ

    • Currently, there is no Ukrainian consulate or embassy located in NZ. However there is a new Honorary Consul - Patrick Gamble, who has been officially appointed in December 2023. Contact details: ukrainianhonconsulnz@gmail.com(Physical address: Administrator House, O’Connell street, CBD, Auckland, 1010. Postal address: Level 8, 191 Queen Street, Auckland, 1010).  Note: The Honorary Consul does not deal with consular issues (eg visas, passports, documents and Ukrainian citizens etc).  Main tasks of the Honorary Consul include the enhancement of bilateral relations in trade, economy, and culture between Ukraine and New Zealand, focusing on NZ's support of Ukraine during the Russian Invasion and rebuilding efforts following that.

    • On April 14, 2022, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Singapore transferred the honorable mission of maintaining bilateral relations with New Zealand to the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia.  All consular issues should be addressed to the Consular Section of the Embassy of Ukraine in Australia. Official embassy Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram: @emb_uainau | Contact emb_au@mfa.gov.ua

    • English Language Partners (nationwide) - enquire for details at your local center https://www.englishlanguage.org.nz/

    • Manukau Institute of Technology – free classes for the Ukraine Special Visa holders, for more information see THIS FLYER or contact Vanessa Lewis on 09 9688748 / vanessa.lewis@manukau.ac.nz

    • Employ NZ offer free ESOL courses in Auckland NZ for refugees and migrants from all over the world, as well as NZ Citizens & NZ Permanent Residents. With 2x school locations in Auckland - one in Onehunga, and one in Henderson, they also offer employment advice. Fill in the enquiry form or call  0800 002 159 to enroll.

    • Other English Langaue courses and programs are availabe to the Special Ukraine Visa holders at many institutions accross the counrty free of charge (and/or at domestic rates) from January 2023. Please enquire with your preferred local providers. For eligibility criteria refer your provider to the updated NZ Gazettenotice - Section 2i (ii).

    • Language Assistance Services - Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment. | How to use the TIS/VIS - Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (mbie.govt.nz)

    • Free translation services (from English to Russian) during in-person GP or hospital visits in Auckland, provided on a volunteer basis by Veronika.   Contact information: veronikakoreiba@gmail.com (please email directly to enquire, subject to Veronika's availability)

    • NZ Red CrossPathways to Employment for Ukraine initiative. On Mahi for Ukraine's request, from March 2023 NZRC started supporting Ukrainians who are sheltering in New Zealand, to find meaningful employment. Details on how to access this program are provided on the NZRC website. To find out more about their migration employment services programme Pathways to Employment, please visit this page on helping refugees find a job.
      If you are: a recent Ukrainian arrival | a Ukrainian sponsor family looking for employment, or knows someone who is | an employer with job opportunities - please get in touch with the community liaison advisor, Andrew Sknar, at andrew.sknar@redcross.org.nz. You can contact Andrew in Ukrainian, English or Russian.

    • Work and Income - official NZ government agency & resources. Get help finding work, see current job vacancies, and find out how WINZ can support you if you're on a low income or unemployed. Holders of Ukraine Resifent Visa may be eligible for benefits if unemployed, and/or a gold card if over 65yo etc. (subject to your individual circumstamces, assets and other income sources if any).  Inquire directly with WINZ to find out more.

    • WorkForce Central Dunedin – you can register your interest in a career in construction whether you are seeking an apprenticeship, are a school, polytech, or university leaver, already in a trade or just looking for a change. While this particular site is specifically designed for construction opportunities in Dunedin, WFC can connect you with their teams in other regions (in your registration please indicate where you are based, and the location of interest for employment). If you do not have a CV, WFC team will contact you by phone or email and can help you develop one.

    • For roles within IT industry contact www.burtonandassociates.co.nzand Phil Burton directly on phil@burtonandassociates.co.nz. Phil has kindly offered to assist our new arrivals with assessing available IT roles within their portfolio of clients free of charge. 

    • Other Job Search resources: Find New Zealand Jobs – Work In New Zealand: New Kiwis; Jobs on SEEK; Trade Me Jobs.

    • Careers advice and information including vocational guidance, accreditation etc. https://www.careers.govt.nz/

    • Connected - is a central place for information from the New Zealand Government, relating to Employment, Education and Training.

Support for Arriving Ukrainians

DISCLAIMER: While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this publication is accurate, Mahi for Ukraine does not accept any responsibility or liability for errors of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion that may be present, nor for the consequences of any decision based on this information.