Emigration to New Zealand for Ukrainians: how to move in 2026

New Zealand attracts Ukrainians with a high standard of living, social guarantees and the opportunity to start a new life in a safe country. For a successful emigration, it is important to understand the peculiarities of the immigration system and the requirements for candidates. Find out more about the main ways to move to New Zealand, the necessary documents and practical advice on legalisation in the country

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

GET

New Zealand is consistently ranked among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of quality of life and happiness. This fascinating island nation attracts immigrants not only for its breathtaking landscapes and environmentally friendly environment, but also for its developed economy, social guarantees and friendly attitude towards newcomers.

The local labour market is actively looking for qualified specialists from all over the world, offering competitive salaries and comfortable working conditions. And the New Zealand education system is recognised as one of the best in the world, which makes the country attractive to students.

What are the legal ways to move to New Zealand, how to apply for a visa, and everything you need to know for those planning to move - we will tell you further in the article.

Detailed information on what you need to know before moving to New Zealand can be found here:

- Travelling to New Zealand for tourism purposes;

- Work in New Zealand;

- Immigration to New Zealand;

- Study in New Zealand.

Do you need a visa but don't know where to start?

Get a consultation from the lawyers of Visit Ukraine!

Do Ukrainians need a visa to New Zealand?

Ukrainians need a visa to enter New Zealand, as Ukraine is not on the list of countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-free travel to this country.

There are several types of visas that Ukrainian citizens can apply for, depending on the purpose of their trip.

For more informationabout travelling to New Zealand, what to visit and useful tips for travellers, follow the link.

How to move to New Zealand as a Ukrainian: types of visas

Different types of visas are available for Ukrainians planning a trip to New Zealand, depending on the purpose and duration of their stay. The main categories are as follows:

-Tourist visa (Visitor Visa). Designed for short-term stays for tourism, family or business purposes. Allows you to stay in the country for up to 9 months. It does not give the right to work or study (except for short courses lasting up to 3 months).

- Work Visa. Required for those who plan to work in New Zealand. It is issued on the basis of a job offer from a New Zealand employer.

- Student Visa. It is issued to those who plan to study in New Zealand for more than 3 months. It allows you to work part-time while studying (usually up to 20 hours per week).

- Transit Visa. It is required for a short stay at the international airport of New Zealand during transit to another country. It is not required if the transit lasts less than 24 hours, but it is better to check the current rules.

- Resident Long Stay Visa (Resident Visa). Issued to those who plan to stay in New Zealand for a long period of time, for example, through family immigration or skilled work. It gives you the right to stay and work in the country permanently.

- Family Visa. It is intended for family reunification. It can be issued on the basis of partnership, parenthood or other family ties with New Zealand citizens or residents.

- Business Visa. This type of visa is intended for persons who plan to start a business in New Zealand, make investments, or represent their company at negotiations, conferences, etc.

- Guest Visa. This visa usually falls under the category of Visitor Visa and is suitable for those who travel to New Zealand at the invitation of friends, relatives or partners. It is issued upon an invitation from a person living in New Zealand (can be either a citizen or a resident).

Take care of your health when travelling abroad with health insurance from Visit Ukraine, which guarantees reliable protection. Ensure your peace of mind while travelling.

New Zealand for Ukrainians: documents for visa application

To apply for a visa to New Zealand, you need to prepare a package of documents that depends on the type of visa and the purpose of your visit.

However, the basic list of documents usually includes:

- a passport valid for at least 6 months after the planned date of departure from New Zealand.

- a completed application form (most applications are submitted online via the Immigration New Zealand website);

- two colour photographs that meet the requirements (size 35x45 mm, neutral background, without glasses);

- confirmation of the purpose of the trip;

- financial documents (bank statements for the last 3-6 months, salary certificate from work, sponsorship letter, etc;)

- medical insurance;

- police clearance certificate (required for long-term visas);

- medical examination (required for applicants planning to stay in the country for more than 6 months).

Additional documents for different types of visas:

-Tourist visa: confirmation of accommodation reservation, return tickets or proof of purchase.

- Visitor visa: a letter of invitation from the host country, a copy of the passport or residence permit of the host country and proof of sponsorship.

- Employment visa: confirmation of a job offer from a New Zealand employer, a contract, a letter from the employer explaining why the candidate is suitable for the position and documents confirming qualifications.

- Student visa: an invitation letter from an educational institution, proof of payment of tuition fees, and documents proving financial solvency.

- Business visa: business plan, proof of investment sources.

Moving to New Zealand for Ukrainians: stages of preparation and obtaining a visa

The process of obtaining a visa to New Zealand includes several main stages:

1. Choose the application method. Apply online through the Immigration New Zealand website or submit a paper application, if necessary.

2. Prepare the required documents.

3. Prove your identity. Provide your passport and any additional identification documents when applying.

4. Submit yourapplication. Submit your application online or at the embassy/consulate with all the necessary documents

5. Pay the required fees.

6. Receive yourvisa. If approved, your visa will be issued either electronically or as a stamp in your passport, depending on the method you used to apply for the visa.

The cost of living, features of healthcare, education, and much other useful information about moving to New Zealand can be found in this article.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

Immigration to New Zealand: long-term residence permit

New Zealand offers two main types of long-term residence for immigrants: Resident Visa and Permanent Resident Visa. Each of these statuses has its own peculiarities and advantages for those who plan to live in the country for a long time.

Resident Visa is a basic permit for long-term residence in New Zealand, which provides access to:

- free medical care;

- free education in public institutions;

- social benefits (after a certain period of time);

- voting rights (after a year of residence).

In turn, the Permanent Resident Visa provides additional privileges, subject to the fulfilment of basic requirements. The main benefits include:

- unlimited right to reside in the country;

- free travel without the risk of losing status;

- the possibility to include family members in the application.

To obtain any type of residency, it is necessary to prepare a package of documents, including a passport, income statement, documents confirming the absence of a criminal record and proof of residence in the country. In some cases, a certificate of English language proficiency will be required.

You can submit documents through the official online portal or in person at the immigration service. The application processing time varies from two weeks to several months, depending on the type of visa and individual circumstances.

To ensure successful processing of documents, it is recommended to contact qualified migration and visa lawyers. Specialists will advise you on the necessary documents, help you prepare your application and provide full legal support of the process from the beginning to the receipt of a positive decision.

How to obtain New Zealand citizenship?

New Zealand law provides for several paths to citizenship. Children whose parents are New Zealand citizens automatically become citizens.

The most common way to obtain citizenship is through naturalisation after 5 years of residence in the country. In this case, it is important to stay in New Zealand for at least 8 months every year. The candidate must demonstrate a basic command of English, a clear vision of their future in the country, and the absence of serious offences.

Keep in mind that the immigration service is particularly attentive to applications from people who have a significant number of driving fines, offences in New Zealand or other countries, and convictions or current charges.

The process of obtaining citizenship takes 9-14 months and includes:

- preparation of the necessary documents;

- submission of the application and payment of the fee;

- passing an interview;

- participation in the citizenship ceremony;

- obtaining a New Zealand passport.

New Zealand citizenship opens up a wide range of opportunities: from unlimited residence and travel with a national passport to participation in the country's political life. At the same time, citizens are obliged to abide by the law, participate in elections and be responsible members of society.

Important! New Zealand allows dual citizenship, so there is no need to renounce your previous citizenship.

Employment for Ukrainians in New Zealand

For legal employment in New Zealand, you need to obtain a work visa. The country offers several types of visas suitable for different categories of employees and life situations.

Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) is the main type of work visa for skilled professionals. To obtain it, you need to have a job offer from an employer accredited by Immigration New Zealand. Such a visa can be issued for a period of up to 5 years and is often the first step to obtaining residency.

From March 2026, a new salary threshold has been established: for a standard three-year visa, it is NZ$35 per hour. If the salary is lower, the applicant may be issued a visa for a shorter period.

Green List — an accelerated path to residency. The so-called “green list” includes professions that are critically important to the country's economy.

Tier 1 (for example, surgeons, intensive care nurses, engineers) allows you to apply for residency immediately after employment.

Tier 2 (in particular, software developers or registered nurses) allows you to obtain residency after 24 months of work in the country.

Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) is a points system for obtaining residency. Candidates are assessed on age, education, work experience and employment in New Zealand. The average application processing time is about 26 weeks.

Working Holiday Visa - this program is suitable for young people aged 18–30 (in some cases - up to 35). It allows you to live and work in the country for up to 12 months without a prior job offer. The cost of processing is approximately 770 NZD, but the number of places is limited.

Investor visas - the Active Investor Plus program is available for wealthy applicants. It involves investing from 5 to 15 million NZD in the country's economy over four years.

Important: immigration rules may change, so before submitting documents, it is worth checking the current requirements on the official Immigration New Zealand website.

The general list of documents required to apply for Work Visa

- Original of a valid passport or travel document for the applicant. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of departure from New Zealand.

- A fully completed INZ 1015 Work Visa application form with the signature of the main applicant and the date of completion.

- Two colour photographs.

- Proof of payment of the visa fee.

- A job offer from a New Zealand employer. The job offer must meet the requirements of the New Zealand labour market and must contain information about the salary, number of working hours, accommodation and repatriation of the employee.

- Additional form INZ1113 filled in by the New Zealand employer.

- Evidence of qualifications and work experience.

- Confirmation of return ticket booking or a guarantee of repatriation by the employer. A redeemed ticket is not a guarantee of a visa. It is not recommended to redeem tickets before receiving visa approval in principle.

- Medical form. The forms must be issued no earlier than 3 months before the visa application, and must be completed, signed and stamped according to the approved standard (INZ). If you plan to stay in New Zealand for more than 6 months, each applicant (11 years of age and older) must provide a completed INZ1096 form, if more than 12 months - completed INZ1007 and INZ1096 forms.

- Certificate of no criminal record. Each applicant who has reached the age of 17 and who plans to stay in New Zealand for more than 24 months is required to provide a certificate of no criminal record in the country of residence, as well as in any other country in which he or she has lived for 5 years from the date of turning 17. The certificates must be issued no earlier than 6 months before the visa application.

Read more about working in New Zealand and everything you need to know about the simplification of the country's migration policy here.

More information about work visas in New Zealand in 2026 in this article.

New Zealand immigration legislation has many nuances and is constantly changing, which can make it difficult to complete the paperwork on your own and increase the risk of being refused.

Qualified lawyers of Visit Ukraine specialise in visa and migration issues and will help you choose the best way to move, avoid mistakes in documents and save time. Our experts will provide professional support at all stages - from choosing a visa category to successfully obtaining a residence permit.

Get a consultation right now and take the first step towards moving to New Zealand!

Remember. When planning a trip to New Zealand, it is worth taking care of medical insurance in advance - even if it is not always a mandatory requirement. The type of visa determines whether you need to take out a policy and what conditions it should cover. We have already talked about insurance for different visa categories, policy requirements and convenient ways to take out a policy.

Photo: Freepik

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.