Immigration assistance for Ukrainians

/0 Comments/in /by

Due to the war in Ukraine, the government has announced a number of immigration policies to assist those affected.

  1. New temporary visa for family members of Ukrainian New Zealanders: Ukrainian New Zealanders are now able to sponsor their parents, grandparents, siblings and adult children and their immediate family to travel to New Zealand. The offshore family members must have been living in the Ukraine in January 2022. Successful applicants will be granted a two-year visa with work or study rights.
  2. Visa extensions for Ukrainians in New Zealand: Ukrainians in New Zealand with a temporary visa due to expire before the end of the year, will be granted a visa extension allowing them to remain in New Zealand for a further 12 months.
  3. Offshore Ukrainians holding valid visas able to travel to New Zealand:  Ukrainian citizens who hold a valid New Zealand visa and are offshore, can travel to New Zealand immediately.

If you require any assistance with obtaining a visa for your Ukrainian family members, please get in touch today.

UPDATE – Key dates – New Zealand border re-opening

/0 Comments/in /by

The New Zealand border is being re-opened in stages during 2022. The government is constantly reviewing their re-opening plan and making changes as time passes. New Zealand citizens and residents are now able to return to New Zealand from anywhere in the world. Those with border exceptions also continue to be permitted to travel to New Zealand. Some of the keys dates are:

  • 11.59pm Sunday 13 March 2022
    • A number of Working Holiday visa schemes opened including for citizens of the UK, Canada, USA, Japan, Germany, France and more
  • 11.59pm Tuesday 12 April 2022
    • Australian citizens and permanent residents can travel to New Zealand
    • Existing work and student visa holders (onshore and offshore) can travel to/from New Zealand
    • 5000 international students will be eligible to travel to New Zealand
  • 11.59pm Sunday 1 May 2022
    • Visa-waiver visitors can travel to New Zealand
    • Existing visitor visa holders (onshore and offshore) can travel to/from New Zealand
  • July 2022
    • Accredited Employer work visa holders will start to be able to travel to New Zealand

Note that all travellers must still meet any COVID-19 requirements including pre-departure testing. Please refer to the government’s COVID-19 website for further details.