Hepatitis B and C removed from resident visa high-cost health conditions list

Resident visa applications submitted on or after 3 August 2026, applicants with hepatitis B or hepatitis C will no longer be automatically assessed as not having an acceptable standard of health.

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has removed hepatitis B and hepatitis C from the list of high-cost health conditions used when assessing whether resident visa applicants meet New Zealand’s acceptable standard of health requirements.

The change reflects that it now costs less to treat these conditions. The expected cost of treatment for both conditions is now well below the significant cost threshold of NZD $81,000.

The wording for several conditions on the high-cost health conditions list has been updated to provide greater clarity for applicants and medical assessors. The changes ensure the list remains focused on conditions that are likely to impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand’s health services.

• Major psychiatric illness and/or addiction will only be included where significant support is required.
• Severe autoimmune disease wording has been updated to recognise a wider range of lower-cost treatment options.
• Renal and hepatic disorders wording has been clarified to better reflect the conditions intended to be included on the list.

Applicants will still need to meet New Zealand’s health requirements. However, INZ medical assessors will now consider the individual medical circumstances of each applicant with hepatitis B or C rather than automatically finding they will impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand's health or education services.

INZ has worked closely with the Ministry of Health on the change. Pharmac also supports removing hepatitis B and hepatitis C from the list of high-cost health conditions.

For more information about the change and what it means for resident visa applications, visit,

Why you may need to provide evidence you are in good health