{"id":113,"date":"2026-01-17T14:39:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T09:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/?p=113"},"modified":"2026-01-17T14:39:52","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T09:09:52","slug":"new-zealand-ends-ukraine-resident-visa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/new-zealand-ends-ukraine-resident-visa\/","title":{"rendered":"New Zealand Ends Ukraine Resident Visa Category from March 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Zealand will close the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ukraine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Ukraine<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Resident Visa category to new applications on 16 March 2026. If you or your family are in New Zealand on a Special Ukraine Visa (2022) and you want to stay permanently, you must apply for the Ukraine Resident Visa on or before that date.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What exactly happened?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In January 2026 Immigration New Zealand said the Ukraine Resident Visa category will stop taking new applications from 16 March 2026. This special resident visa was set up for people who came to New Zealand on a 2022 Special Ukraine Visa and gave them a path to live, work and study here permanently. Applications after 16 March 2026 will not be accepted under the current rules.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The INZ pages also explain the main rule for who can apply: you must have arrived in New Zealand on a 2022 Special Ukraine Visa on or before 15 March 2024 to be eligible. The official pages show the application steps and the current fee for the visa.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Who will this affect?<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People already in New Zealand who hold a Special Ukraine Visa (2022) and who want to become residents.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partners and dependent children who can be included in an application.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People who arrived after the eligible date need to look at other visa options.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If this applies to you or your family, it\u2019s important to act before the deadline. Waiting could make your future in New Zealand harder.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why this matters \u2014 a human view<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Think about what \u201cresidence\u201d gives you: steady work options, children\u2019s schooling, health care, and the calm of not worrying about visas every few months. For many families who left Ukraine for safety, the Ukraine Resident Visa was that step toward a normal life in New Zealand. With the category closing, those people need to decide and apply \u2014 or they will have to try other, sometimes harder, routes to stay. This is stressful, and the simplest thing you can do is begin the paperwork now.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Important facts you must know (plain and practical)<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Closing date:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Ukraine Resident Visa category closes to new applications on 16 March 2026.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Who can apply:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> People who arrived on a 2022 Special Ukraine Visa on or before 15 March 2024 may apply, and they can include partners and dependent children.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fee:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The official Ukraine Resident Visa page shows the application fee and how to pay it \u2014 check the INZ page for the exact fee amount and any updates.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Background:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The residence pathway opened on 16 March 2024 and was planned to run for two years, closing in March 2026. This was announced when the special pathway began.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because rules and fees can change, always check the official INZ pages before you apply.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Step-by-step: what you should do now<\/b><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check your eligibility today. Confirm you arrived in New Zealand on a 2022 Special Ukraine Visa on or before 15 March 2024.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gather documents. Get passports, your Special Ukraine Visa record, ID, birth\/marriage certificates, and any other papers INZ asks for.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply before 16 March 2026. Do not miss the deadline \u2014 INZ will not accept late Ukraine Resident Visa applications under the current rule.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pay fees and follow INZ instructions. INZ explains how to pay and how to apply online. Keep copies of everything.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><b>If you miss the deadline \u2014 other routes to stay in New Zealand<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you can\u2019t apply in time for the Ukraine Resident Visa, there are other visas but they are not the same and can be harder:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Skilled Migrant Category \u2014 for people with skills or a job offer.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work-to-Residence or Green List routes for some in-demand jobs.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Family or partner visas, study visas, or specific work visas, depending on your situation.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each route has its own rules, costs, and wait times. If you miss the Ukraine Resident Visa deadline, speak to an immigration adviser or community group who can help you find the best path.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Side note \u2014 travel and visitor rules (NZeTA)<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you or family plan to travel to New Zealand for short visits, remember that travel permission is different from residence. You might need an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/nzeta-application-form\"><b>NZeTA Application Form<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before you travel, not a resident visa. Use the official NZeTA site or app to request it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">About <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/nzeta-cost\"><b>NZeTA Cost<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the NZeTA processing fee is lower if you apply through the official app (for example, NZD $17) or a bit higher online (for example, NZD $23). Most visitors also pay an International Visitor Levy (IVL) when they request an NZeTA \u2014 check the INZ pages for the current amounts.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Tips to make it easier<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Start now \u2014 small tasks each day add up.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scan and save documents as PDFs.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Include family members in the same application where possible.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If English is hard, get help from a friend, community group, or accredited adviser.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep a folder with your application number and all receipts.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<p><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Final, human words<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">News like this brings worry and hard choices. If you are affected by the closing of the Ukraine Resident Visa category, take one small step today: check the official INZ Ukraine Resident Visa page, confirm your eligibility, and begin collecting documents. Acting early gives you the best chance to stay in New Zealand legally and with less stress. You do not have to do this alone \u2014 community organisations, legal advisers and INZ resources are there to help.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>New Zealand will close the Ukraine Resident Visa category to new applications on 16 March 2026. If you or your family are in New Zealand on a Special Ukraine Visa (2022) and you want to stay permanently, you must apply for the Ukraine Resident Visa on or before that date. What exactly happened? In January &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/new-zealand-ends-ukraine-resident-visa\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;New Zealand Ends Ukraine Resident Visa Category from March 2026&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":114,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-new-zealand-eta"],"featured_image":"https:\/\/my-tours.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com\/newzealandvisa-uk\/uploads\/New-Zealand-Ends-Ukraine-Resident-Visa-Category-from-March-2026.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=113"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":115,"href":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/113\/revisions\/115"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newzealandvisa.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}