2016-May 20: Work Visa Requirements for Publicly-Funded Health Services

Visa Pak 260 - Clarification for staff on length of work visa required to be issued for client to be eligible for Publicly-Funded Health Services

Visa Paks

20 May 2016 

Work Visa Requirements for Publicly-Funded Health Services

The following advice has been previously issued (10 May 2013). It appears that this advice is being overlooked, especially when issuing work visas for clients offshore. The duration of a work visa can affect a client’s ability to access publicly-funded health services. There have been cases where a client has been issued a work visa offshore for 24 months but has not included an allowance for time to travel to New Zealand. This has excluded these clients from being eligible for publicly-funded health services.

Background

In order for a client on a work visa to be legally entitled to any health eligibility, they must hold a work visa that is valid for 24 months from date of first entry. The Ministry of Health (MOH) has directions which clearly define when a person who is not a New Zealand resident or citizen is able to access publicly-funded health services. This falls under MOH’s legislation and any questions regarding health eligibility by an applicant should be directed to MOH to answer.

Immigration New Zealand cannot comment about an applicant’s ability to access publicly-funded health services as it is not our policy.

Process

  • Applicants should be given a first entry date to allow them time to travel to New Zealand, and then 24 month expiry date from the date of first entry (unless there are other circumstances that dictate a shorter work visa being issued).
  • Applicants need to meet all relevant immigration instructions.
  • Applicants must meet all health requirements as part of their application.
  • If an applicant is issued a work visa for less than 24 months when they are either eligible or indicated they wanted a 24 month visa then clear notes must be made in AMS explaining why this was not issued.
  • Eligibility for publicly-funded health services is not a requirement under immigration instructions.

Action
Please discuss with your team(s). When issuing a work visa to applicants who are eligible for 24 months or longer, ensure that the visa is valid for 24 months from the date of first entry into New Zealand where appropriate.

For further information see:
http://www.health.govt.nz/new-zealand-health-system/eligibility-publicly-funded-health-services/guide-eligibility-publicly-funded-health-services/work-visa-holder-eligible-be-nz-two-years-or-more