New Zealand introduces new residence pathway for Special Ukraine Visa holders.
New Zealand is allowing Ukrainians who came there with a Special Ukraine Visa before March 15, 2024, to apply for permanent residency. Originally, this visa was introduced in March 2022, letting Ukrainians with close family in New Zealand stay for two years. Now, they can make New Zealand their permanent home, but they must meet requirements like having a clean record, passing a health check, and showing they have the skills to live and work there.
The government wants to make the application process easy, and it’s expected that up to 1,500 Ukrainians might qualify. This news has made Ukrainian community groups in New Zealand very happy, as it gives those who escaped the war a chance to settle in New Zealand with certainty. Additionally, New Zealand is giving an extra NZ$10 million in aid to Ukraine, making their total support NZ$82 million since the conflict started.