V3.40 Entry to New Zealand for the purpose of medical treatment or consultation (07/02/2011)

See also Immigration (Visa, Entry Permission, and Related Matters) Regulations 2010, Schedule 2

1. Visitors who can show they have been accepted for and are able to pay for medical treatment or consultation in New Zealand may be granted a visitor visa authorising a maximum stay of six months.
2. Visitors coming to New Zealand for medical treatment or consultation must apply for a visitor visa before travelling to New Zealand, whether or not they are from a visa-waiver country.
3. Citizens of South Pacific countries may be funded for specialised medical treatment in New Zealand if such treatment is not available in their home country and is funded by either:
   1. their home Government; or
   2. New Zealand's Official Development Assistance (ODA) Programme under the Medical Treatment Scheme, administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
4. An applicant from any country seeking obstetric treatment (including giving birth) or renal dialysis in New Zealand will not be granted a visa unless sponsored as under paragraph (c).

V3.40.1 Evidence for visitors coming to New Zealand for medical treatment or consultation

Immigration officers must be satisfied that an applicant coming to New Zealand for medical treatment or consultation has provided:

1. a completed Details of Intended Medical Treatment (INZ 1009) form; and
2. written evidence of acceptance for treatment (such as a letter from the appropriate medical authorities to the health authority in the applicant's home country); and
3. details of the expected costs of medical treatment; and
4. evidence that the applicant will be able to and actually will pay for all medical costs, unless the treatment is to be funded under special arrangements described at V3.40(c) above.
5. evidence, where necessary, that the applicant requires an escort because of the nature of the condition (see V3.40.15 (b) (iii)).

V3.40.5 Visitors requiring visas to stay for further medical treatment

Visitors who require medical treatment for a period beyond the currency of their initial visa may be granted a visitor visa for their intended further treatment if:

1. they were granted visas to come to New Zealand for medical treatment and need further time here to continue treatment; or
2. they have become ill or have had an accident during their visit and still require treatment (ie, cannot travel), and will be able to and will actually pay for all ongoing medical costs, unless the treatment is to be funded under special arrangements described at V3.40(c) above or is covered by a Reciprocal Health Agreement.

   Note: Such applicants are not subject to the normal maximum stay requirement (see V2.5 (a) (ii)).

V3.40.10 Evidence for visitors requiring visas to stay for further medical treatment

1. Immigration officers must be satisfied that an applicant for a visa to stay in New Zealand for further medical treatment has:
   1. completed a Details of Intended Medical Treatment (INZ 1009) form, and
   2. provided a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner stating:
      • the nature of the applicant's illness or disability; and
      • details of their treatment; and
      • their expected recovery time; and
   3. provided evidence of how the costs of the treatment will be met.
2. Applications may be forwarded to an INZ medical assessor for assessment unless the applicant is requesting a further visa for a period not exceeding one month and the immigration officer intends to approve the application.
3. If the assessment is unfavourable, the applicant must be given the opportunity to comment on prejudicial information before a final decision is made.
4. If the initial visa is due to expire while the applicant is awaiting the INZ medical assessor's assessment, a further visitor visa may be granted.

V3.40.15 Escorts of patients coming to New Zealand for medical treatment or consultation

1. Escorts of patients visiting New Zealand for medical treatment or consultation may be granted a visitor visa authorising a stay for the same length as the patient's stay.
2. Escorts must be:
   1. a medical professional; or
   2. a family member or friend; and
   3. required due to of the nature of the condition.

V3.40.20 Escorts of patients requiring visas to stay for further medical treatment

Escorts of patients who require further medical treatment may be granted a visitor visa to stay in New Zealand during the patient's further treatment, if they:

1. meet the requirements for a visitor visa (see V2.1); and
2. have been granted a visa as escort of the patient; and
3. the patient they are escorting needs more time for tre atment and has been granted a further visa.

V3.40.25 Emergency medical treatment

1. In emergency situations:
   1. patients may be granted a visa as an exception to normal instructions to obtain medical treatment in New Zealand; and
   2. escorts of patients may be granted a visa as an exception to normal instructions to escort patients obtaining medical treatment in New Zealand.
2. In emergency situations, an officer with Schedule 1 delegation may waive the mandatory requirements and conditions for a visitor visa to be granted to a patient and escort.
3. An emergency includes, but is not limited to, a situation where:
   1. local health authorities judge that it is vital to the patient's survival to transfer them immediately to New Zealand; or
   2. a passenger or crew member on a ship or aircraft has an accident or sudden illness.

Effective 07/02/2011