Temporary protection: New Zealand
🛰️ Varta monitors 6 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: Immigration Act 2009 + the "2022 Special Ukraine Policy" immigration instructions (special visa for family of Ukrainian-heritage New Zealanders) + the "Ukraine Resident Visa" category (16.03.2024–16.03.2026) • there is no single national date — your visa sets the period
Steps
- 1
You are ALREADY in New Zealand on the special visa — maintain lawful stay
Holders of the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa can apply for FURTHER special visas (free, online via Immigration Online) while they need shelter or await their residence decision. Apply BEFORE your current visa expires.
📍 Online: Immigration Online (immigration.govt.nz)⏰ Before your current special visa expires💳 Free - 2
Residence application (Ukraine Resident Visa) — the category closed on 16.03.2026
The category ran from 16.03.2024 to 16.03.2026 for principal applicants who arrived on the special visa by 15.03.2024 (plus partner and dependent children). If you DID apply in time — INZ is processing it; keep a valid temporary visa until the decision. If you did NOT — applying is no longer possible; contact INZ about other options.
▸ More details›
Requirements: character, Limited Medical Certificate + X-ray; no English test; no sponsorship. An application fee applied (the Immigration Levy was waived).📍 INZ (application status — in Immigration Online)⏰ Applications closed on 16.03.2026💳 Fee was paid at filing (see INZ for the amount at the time of filing) - 3
New arrivals: standard visas only
HONESTLY: there is no longer a special route for Ukrainian refugees. Options: Visitor visa (Ukraine is not visa-waiver — apply online in advance), the Accredited Employer Work Visa (a job offer from an accredited employer is required), or a student visa. Each carries standard funds, health and bona fide requirements.
📍 Online: immigration.govt.nz⏰ Before travelling💳 Standard INZ visa fees - 4
Access healthcare, school and support
Special Ukraine Visa holders can access publicly funded healthcare. Children attend school as domestic students. Adults qualify for free English classes (ESOL) as domestic students. NZ Red Cross (Pathways to Employment) and Work and Income help with employment.
📍 Hospitals/GPs, schools, Work and Income, Red Cross⏰ Immediately after arrival💳 Healthcare and school — free for special visa holders - 5
After a positive residence decision
The Ukraine Resident Visa allows you to live, work and study in New Zealand permanently. Then the standard path applies: meeting residence conditions leads to a Permanent Resident Visa and later citizenship under general rules.
📍 INZ⏰ Follow the conditions of your resident visa💳 Further applications — standard INZ fees
Documents
Foreign passport
requiredFor any visa and travel. Ensure validity for the whole stay.
Current 2022 Special Ukraine Visa
requiredThe basis for further special visa applications and (until 16.03.2026) the resident category. Track the expiry in your Immigration Online account.
Limited Medical Certificate + chest X-ray certificate
requiredCompleted with INZ-approved physicians. No English test is required.
Police certificates
requiredFrom Ukraine and countries of long residence; if unobtainable — a statutory declaration is accepted.
Evidence of family relationships (partner/children)
if availableMarriage/birth certificates, evidence of living together.
Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
The principal applicant is the person who arrived on the special visa by 15.03.2024; details in Latin letters as in the passport.
Include your partner and dependent children; attach relationship evidence (certificates, living together).
Complete the exam with an INZ-approved physician; certificates must be current at filing.
Police certificates from Ukraine and countries of residence; if unavailable — a statutory declaration.
No English test is required — the corresponding section is not completed.
❌ Principal applicant arrived AFTER 15.03.2024 ❌ Expired medical certificates ❌ Police certificate missing and no statutory declaration attached ❌ Temporary visa expired during processing (apply for a further special visa!)
Use the same account (RealMe) you applied from before — your application history is visible to the officer.
Select the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa (further visa) — NOT a regular Visitor Visa.
In Latin letters exactly as in the passport; upload the new passport if it changed.
Your actual residential address; update contact details.
❌ Applying AFTER the current visa expires (loss of lawful status) ❌ Selecting a regular visitor visa instead of the special visa ❌ Outdated contact details — INZ correspondence gets lost
Benefits
Publicly funded healthcare
Holders of the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa and resident visas.
How to apply: Enrol with a local GP
School and free English (ESOL)
Special visa holders’ children — school; adults — ESOL and Adult Community Education classes.
How to apply: Local school / English Language Partners
HONESTLY ABOUT MONEY: there is no bespoke welfare package
The programme was built on SPONSORSHIP: the sponsor is responsible for housing and living costs. Some assistance may be available via Work and Income (MSD) depending on circumstances — enquire individually. Red Cross Pathways to Employment, free health checks and settlement services help with employment and settling in.
How to apply: Work and Income (workandincome.govt.nz) / Red Cross
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
A multi-currency account and transfers between Ukraine and Europe at the real exchange rate. Handy for receiving salary and sending money to family.
Open a Wise accountThe price for you does not change; the commission supports our free guides.
Where to apply
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) — all applications online
INZ line for overseas callers
Dedicated Ukraine programme mailbox (MBIE)
Contacts
What happens after protection ends
For those who filed a Ukraine Resident Visa application by 16.03.2026: a positive decision = residence (live, work and study indefinitely), then a Permanent Resident Visa and citizenship under general rules. For everyone else: standard routes — the Accredited Employer Work Visa (job with an accredited employer), the Skilled Migrant Category (points-based), student visas with a switch to work visas, partnership visas. A special "Ukrainian" route to residence no longer exists.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work-based residence — New Zealand
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: Immigration New Zealand (INZ) — all applications online.
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) — all applications online
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
The special Ukraine visa is closed to new applicants since 15.03.2024.
🎓 Study — New Zealand
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) — all applications online
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
The special Ukraine visa is closed to new applicants since 15.03.2024.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — New Zealand
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) — all applications online
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
The special Ukraine visa is closed to new applicants since 15.03.2024.
🏢 Self-employment/business — New Zealand
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) — all applications online
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
The special Ukraine visa is closed to new applicants since 15.03.2024.
🏠 Permanent residence — New Zealand
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) — all applications online
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
5 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I need to do anything to keep my protection after the current period?
There is no automatic extension in New Zealand. First work out which situation you are in. A further Special Ukraine Visa can be granted in ONE case only. INZ words it with "only if": you are in New Zealand on a current 2022 Special Ukraine Visa and it is going to expire while you are waiting for INZ's decision on your Ukraine Resident Visa application. The official page names no other ground. Meanwhile the Ukraine Resident Visa is closed: "The Ukraine Resident Visa closed on 16 March 2026. You can no longer apply for this visa." Applications after 16 March 2026 cannot be accepted under current policy settings. So today the "only if" condition covers only those who applied for residence on or before 16 March 2026 and are still awaiting a decision. If you are indeed waiting for a residence decision, INZ's process is as follows — start early, because two of the four steps do not depend on you: 1. Your relative, an eligible New Zealander with Ukrainian heritage, nominates you through an Expression of Interest (form INZ 1371) and at the same time nominates a sponsor who takes on financial responsibility. 2. INZ invites you to apply and sends the application form NOT to you, but to that nominating relative. 3. Either they or you must lodge the application before your current visa expires: "The nominating New Zealander or you must send in the application before your current visa expires." 4. INZ assesses the application and, if approved, grants a further Special Ukraine Visa. There is no common deadline: your date is the expiry date on your own visa. If nothing is lodged by then, you will be left without a valid visa. If you do not meet the "only if" condition. On the Special Ukraine Visa page (last updated 8 June 2026) INZ says that Special Ukraine Visa holders in New Zealand "can continue to apply for further temporary visas under the existing policy" while they shelter in NZ or wait for the outcome of their residence application. INZ's Ukraine pages do not explain which visa category that means. Do not guess: call INZ or consult a licensed immigration adviser (under INZ's rules personalised immigration advice may be given only by a licensed immigration adviser or a person exempt from licensing) — and lodge the application BEFORE your current visa expires. INZ phone: 0508 558 855 (toll free from NZ landlines only) or +64 9 914 4100, 06:00 to 22:00 on working days NZ time. If you do not speak English, tell the operator your language and stay on the line — INZ will bring an interpreter onto the call. Have your INZ client number, or your application or passport number, ready. Source: https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/once-you-have-a-visa/bringing-family-to-new-zealand/visas-for-family-of-ukrainians-in-new-zealand-translated-pages/ (checked 03.09.2026).
Can I come to New Zealand now as a refugee from Ukraine?
NO — there is no special route. The special visa closed to new applications on 15.03.2024, and the resident category on 16.03.2026. Only standard visas are available: visitor (apply online in advance — no visa waiver for Ukraine), work (a job offer is required), or student.
My special visa is expiring. Can I "extend" it?
YES. Holders of the 2022 Special Ukraine Visa already in New Zealand can apply for FURTHER special visas (free, online) while they need shelter or await their residence decision. The key is to apply before the current visa expires.
I missed the 16.03.2026 Ukraine Resident Visa deadline. What now?
Applications under this category are not accepted after 16.03.2026. You may remain on further special visas (while the policy lasts) and consider standard residence routes: Skilled Migrant, work visas leading to residence, partnership. Consult a licensed immigration adviser (LIA) or email specialukraineeoi@mbie.govt.nz.
What support is available to me in New Zealand?
For special visa holders: free public healthcare, school for children (domestic students), free English classes (ESOL), employment help (Red Cross Pathways to Employment, Work and Income). HONESTLY: no bespoke cash package was created for Ukrainians — by design, living costs are covered by the sponsor and your own work.
Do Ukrainians need a visa for an ordinary trip to New Zealand?
YES. Ukraine is not on New Zealand’s visa-waiver list, so an NZeTA is not enough — a visitor visa must be obtained online in advance at immigration.govt.nz.
- INZ — Special Ukraine Visa (тематична сторінка новин і правил) ✓
- INZ — Ukraine Resident Visa category closing in March 2026 ✓
- INZ — New residence pathway for Special Ukraine Visa holders ✓
- Mahi for Ukraine — Special Ukraine Visa & settlement (громадський ресурс)
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.