The Special Ukraine Visa, which opened for applications in March, is granted only to direct family members (parents, grandparents, siblings and adult children) of Ukrainians in New Zealand, who have to undertake to support them financially.
Mahi For Ukraine and other humanitarian organisations are meeting with officials next week to discuss their request for the Government to look at amending some of the criteria around the Special Ukraine Visa.
They want Cabinet to widen eligibility, remove the financial burden from sponsors, extend the time-frame and offer a pathway to residency.
We have ordinary Kiwis, in emergency housing or unable to find an affordable home. We are a first world country with homelessness and high rates of poverty. Why does every priority change when Ukraine is the topic at hand.