By the Re: team

The Government has announced its putting plans in place to support Ukranians in New Zealand with visas and those offshore. 

About 140 Ukranians in Aotearoa with a visa set to expire at the end of 2022 will be given an automatic 12-month extension. 

And about 250 Ukranians with a valid New Zealand visa, who are currently offshore can come to the country immediately - without waiting for the borders to open, as long as they meet Covid-19 health requirements to travel. 

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi said on Tuesday that the Government was fast-tracking support for Ukrainians to remain or return to New Zealand immediately. 

“Ukrainian nationals in New Zealand whose visas expire before the end of the year can remain here legally for a further 12 months to give them certainty at a time when their country is being invaded and they may not be able to return home," Faafoi said.

“Latest figures show about 300 Ukrainian citizens in New Zealand are on temporary visas with 140 expiring before the end of the year."

The Government is also considering further border exemptions for wider family members of Ukrainians in New Zealand.

This comes after the Government announced yesterday that it would be rushing the Russia Sanctions Bill into law this week to enable further sanctions on those responsible for or associated with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions will stop targeted Russians from using our financial system as a back door to get around sanctions increasingly imposed by other countries.
They will also stop Russian superyachts, ships, and aircraft from entering New Zealand waters or airspace.
Top Image: A peaceful protest in Auckland's Aotea Square for the people of Ukraine. Photo: Todd Henry

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