2022 Special Ukraine Visa & Resources for New Arrivals

Special Ukraine Visa/Residency Information & Help
  • Check out the details on the Immigration NZ site here – 2022 Special Ukraine Visa and the Ukrainian version here. 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, [email protected] is the initial Inbox for 2022 Special Ukraine Visa inquiries. INZ asks that you do not share it widely to prevent the line from being clogged by inquiries for other visa categories.
  • 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.

Extending your stay in NZ (Special Ukraine Visa holders ONLY)

  • 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.  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 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 temporary Special Ukraine Visa, and
    • 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 the INZ 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. Limited medical certificates & chest X-ray are required. Applicants will not need to sit English language tests. 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: Each Ukraine Residence Visa application will cost $1200 (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 | INZ News Centre announcement (11/03/24)

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

 
  • UANZ (North) – support form. If you are a Ukrainian who recently arrived or are soon to be arriving in NZ to escape the war and you are seeking support, please tell UANZ about it by filling out THIS FORM, so that they can try and match you with the offers of help they are aware of, provided UANZ have a match available. This is on a first come first serve basis and is limited to the generous offers the UANZ receive from the New Zealand public (if any). This form and data, collected through it, is managed by the Ukrainian Association of New Zealand (UANZ) Northern Inc., Mahi for Ukraine does not hold or access any of this information. 

Consular assistance

  • 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:  [email protected] (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 [email protected]

English language courses & language support

  • 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 / [email protected]
  • 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 Gazette notice – 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: [email protected] (please email directly to enquire, subject to Veronika’s availability)

Help for Ukrainians seeking employment in NZ

  • Adecco Group – Jobs for Ukraine platform – How does it work? The Jobs for Ukraine platform is a free-to-post platform for any company looking to offer opportunities for displaced workers. An Adecco expert team of Ukrainian and English speakers is dedicated to supporting candidates and connecting them with companies. Please follow the provided link to find out more, and to look for opportunities if you’re seeking a job.
  • NZ Red Cross Pathways 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 [email protected]. You can contact Andrew in Ukrainian, English or Russian.
  • 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. Alternatively, please send us an email with your CV and skill summary in English, as well as the location of interest (to [email protected]) noting the subject line “WorkForce Central opportunities“, and we will forward your details to the relevant regional WFC team, so they can connect you with potential opportunities if any are available.

  • CC Group and CC Workforce has established a relationship with Mahi for Ukraine to help support Ukrainians into employment across New Zealand.

    The Group can open many avenues for employment in the Construction & Trades, Forestry, Hospitality & Accommodation, and Agricultural/Primary production Industries through CC Workforce, as well as access to landscaping, gardening, and lawncare careers, are available through their national franchise Crew Cut, jobs in the Facilities Management and cleaning/maintenance industries are also available through CrewCare. Additionally, all sections of CC Group of companies offer paths to franchise ownership for individuals, groups, or families. 

    CC Group run their own training programs through CC Training Academy where they both train and certify people for the New Zealand workforce and upskill them as their career grows, as well as offer pathways to residency. CC Group aims to offer a ‘One-Stop Shop’ where people can enter their system and progress easily through into a career that is real, sustainable, and part of the New Zealand way of life.

    If you are interested in exploring opportunities with CC Group please email your CV in English to Elly Stone at [email protected] and CC Kate ([email protected]) with the subject line – “Job Seeker | Mahi for Ukraine”.  IMPORTANT: While proficiency in English is not a requirement for the candidate themselves in many of these jobs, and CC Group understands that many Special Ukraine Visa holders will have limited to no ability to speak English, please ensure you provide contact details for the person who speaks English and can support you through the employment process, interviews & contract negotiations  (e.g. your visa sponsor or a friend).

Health & wellbeing resources

Other general newcomers’ resources

Special Ukraine Visa 2022 Help

  • Check out the details on the Immigration NZ site here – 2022 Special Ukraine Visa and the Ukrainian version here
  • If you have questions – download this visa guide from Lane Neave
  • If you still have any 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 you with your questions on a pro bono basis (i.e. free of charge): Contact Details of Visa Assistants.pdf

Useful settlement resources for the Ukrainians arriving in NZ

  • The NewZealand Now website – is Immigration NZ’s main source of information for people arriving in New Zealand.
  • For families with children, see information on school enrolment here.
  • Information for parents from the Ministry of Education: https://parents.education.govt.nz/.
  • If you are a Ukrainian who recently arrived or are soon to be arriving in NZ on the Ukraine Special Visa seeking support, please tell us about it by filling out THIS FORM, so we can try and match you with the offers of help we receive.

Help for Ukrainians Seeking Employment in NZ

  • Adecco Group Jobs for Ukraine platform – How does it work? The jobs for Ukraine platform is a free-to-post platform for any company looking to offer opportunities for you displaced workers. An Adecco expert team of Ukrainian and English speakers is dedicated to support candidates and connect them with companies. Please follow the provided link to find out more, and to look for opportunities if you’re seeking a job.
  • Work Force 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 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. Alternatively, please send us email with your CV and skill summary in English, as well as location of interest (to [email protected]), and we will forward your details to the relevant regional WFC team, so they can connect you with potential opportunities if any are available.
  • 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/

English language courses

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

Newcomers’ resources:

  • New Zealand Newcomers Network – Whether you’re new to New Zealand or just to your region, the New Zealand Newcomers Network helps you find community and connections. Ease your transition, meet people and make friends.
  • Settlement Centre Waikato (scw.org.nz) – The Settlement Centre Waikato helps newcomers to find their way to a successful settlement in Hamilton and the Waikato area.
  • Welcoming Communities | Immigration New Zealand – Welcoming Communities recognises that communities are healthier, happier and more productive when newcomers are welcomed and participate fully in society and in the local economy.

Volunteering New Zealand – The home for volunteering (volunteeringnz.org.nz) if you would like to consider volunteering with various New Zealand organisation

Citizens Advice Bureau (cab.org.nz); Where can I go for free budgeting advice? | Citizens Advice Bureau (cab.org.nz)

Getting help with your budget | New Zealand Government (www.govt.nz)

Ethnic Liaison Officers | New Zealand Police

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 error of fact, omission, interpretation or opinion that may be present, nor for the consequences of any decision based on this information.

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