Immigration to New Zealand for Ukrainians
How to obtain New Zealand citizenship for Ukrainians
New Zealand citizenship is the final stage of immigration. Once obtained, a foreigner can reside in the country permanently without restrictions, participate in elections, work without visa requirements, and obtain a New Zealand passport.
Most immigrants, including Ukrainians, obtain citizenship through the citizenship by grant procedure — after living in the country for a specified period and meeting the requirements of the law.
How long do you need to live in New Zealand
You can usually apply for citizenship after approximately 5 years of living in New Zealand with resident status and meeting the actual presence requirements.
You must be in the country:
- at least 240 days each year
- at least 1,350 days in total over 5 years
In most cases, the path from obtaining residency to a passport takes approximately 5–7 years, depending on the periods of stay outside the country.
Basic requirements for applicants
To obtain New Zealand citizenship, the applicant must:
- have valid resident status
- meet the residency requirements
- have a sufficient level of English for everyday life (assessed during the application process)
- be of good character and have no serious criminal offenses
- plan to continue living in New Zealand
How to apply for citizenship
The application process consists of several stages:
1. Preparation of documents
- passport or other identity document
- birth certificate
- photographs
- proof of residence in the country
- contact details of an identity referee who can confirm your identity
2. Submitting an application
The application is submitted online, in person, or by mail to the New Zealand Citizenship Service.
The government fee for submission is approximately NZ$560 for adults and NZ$280 for children (the amount may vary, so it is worth checking the current amount before submitting).
3. Applicant screening
The police and government agencies conduct a screening, and sometimes an interview is possible.
4. Decision and ceremony
Once approved, the applicant is invited to a citizenship ceremony, where a citizenship certificate is issued.
The processing time is usually about 3-14 months, depending on the complexity of the case.
New Zealand passport
After receiving a citizenship certificate, you can submit a separate application for a New Zealand passport. It allows you to travel to many countries without a visa and enjoy full protection from the state abroad.
Can Ukrainians obtain New Zealand citizenship?
Ukrainian citizens apply under the same conditions as other foreigners. There is no separate procedure — the main thing is to meet the residency requirements and have legal status.
Persons who have lived in the country for a long time (including after humanitarian or special visas, if they were issued) can also apply after meeting the standard requirements.
💡 Assistance from an immigration lawyer regarding New Zealand
Most refusals of New Zealand residency and citizenship are not related to a lack of immigration rights, but to an incorrectly chosen program or errors in the documents.
Even an incorrectly completed Expression of Interest or the absence of one confirmation can delay the granting of status for years.
Visit Ukraine lawyers review the applicant's situation before submitting the application and develop the right immigration strategy — from the first visa to the passport.
What you will get during the consultation:
- assessment of your chances of obtaining residency and citizenship
- selection of the optimal immigration program
- calculation of the time required to obtain permanent residency and a passport
- a list of documents specific to your situation
- a check before submitting your application
In most cases, the right strategy can shorten the path to permanent residence by 1–3 years and avoid rejection.
👉 Consult a Visit Ukraine immigration lawyer before submitting your documents — it is much safer than correcting mistakes after rejection.