Getting an x-ray or medical examination
If you need a chest x-ray or medical examination you need to know when to have it, what to bring and what to expect.
When to have your chest x-ray or medical examination
Your chest x-ray and medical examination results must be no more than 3 months old when we receive your application.
If you need to get a chest x-ray or medical examination, make sure you have all your visa application documents ready to submit to us once your x-ray or medical examination is completed.
You need to:
- prepare your visa application
- make an appointment and find out how long it will take to receive your blood test results
- download and read the authority to collect information
- go to your appointment — if the doctor finds an issue during your x-ray or medical examination you may require additional tests, which can take more time
- submit your visa application, including the eMedical reference if you used a panel physician, or medical certificates from your doctor if there are no panel physicians in your country.
If you have visited a panel physician, we receive your results electronically.
In some circumstances you may not need to get an x-ray or medical examination.
Who needs an x-ray or medical examination
Where to get a chest x-ray or medical examination
If you have to get a chest x-ray or medical examination, you need to use a doctor or radiologist from our list of panel physicians.
Find a doctor or radiologist near you
If you are based in New Zealand and you only need a chest x-ray you must visit an Immigration New Zealand Panel Medical Clinic, where they will:
- create a case for you, and
- refer you to a Panel Radiology Clinic to get the chest x-ray.
You need to tell the panel physician what type of visa you are applying for.
Types of medical examinations
The medical examination you need depends on your circumstances.
Who needs an x-ray or medical examination
Limited medical examinations
You must have a limited medical examination if:
- you are a refugee or the partner or dependent child of a refugee
- you are applying for a resident visa under the Refugee Quota Family Reunification Category
- we ask you to when we invite you to apply for a Christchurch Response (2019) Visa
- your partner or parent is a New Zealand citizen or resident and you were not able to be included in their residence application — partners must have been living together in a genuine and stable partnership for 12 months or more.
General medical examinations
You must have a general medical examination if you are not:
- the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident
- a refugee or the partner or dependent child of a refugee
- applying for a resident visa under the Refugee Quota Family Reunification Category
- applying for an Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Limited Visa.
You must also have a general medical examination if you are the partner of a New Zealand citizen or resident, and you were able to be included in their residence application, but either were not included or were withdrawn.
RSE Scheme Supplementary medical examinations
People from countries with high risk factors for HIV applying for a Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) limited visa must have an RSE Scheme Supplementary medical examination.
Countries with a high risk of HIV
Making your appointment
Contact a panel physician to find out when you can book an appointment for your x-ray or medical examination.
When you book your appointment, you must say that it is for an Immigration New Zealand application so your appointment is made with one of our approved panel physicians.
Authority to collect medical information
At your medical appointment, you need to sign a declaration to allow your doctor to collect your medical information to send to us.
It is important to read the declaration carefully before signing it. If you are 17 years old or under, your parent or guardian must sign the declaration for you.
Copy of eMedical client consent and declaration form PDF 102KB
What to bring to your appointment
You need to bring:
- an identity document
- your glasses or contact lenses if you use them
- a list of any medication you are taking — including dosage
- any relevant medical reports or x-rays
- your parent or legal guardian, if you are 17 years of age or under.
If you are using an immigration adviser you also need to bring a completed ‘Immigration Adviser Details’ form
Identity documents for x-rays and medical examinations
Immigration Adviser Details (INZ 1160) PDF 254KB
You can bring a family member, support person or interpreter to your appointment. Let the clinic know when you make your appointment if you will be bringing another person with you.
If you are from a country that does not have panel physicians
If your country does not have panel physicians, you also need to bring these items to your medical appointment:
- 3 recent passport-sized photos that are less than 6 months old — you only need 1 photo if you are having a chest x-ray and not a medical examination
- copies of the required medical certificates for the examining physician to complete and send to us.
All x-ray and medical certificates must be completed in English.
Evidence you are in good health
Planning your appointment if you are a woman
You cannot have your medical examination during your period (menstruation) because it can affect your urinalysis results — you will need to wait until your period finishes before having your medical examination.
Medical examinations for children under 14
All children, including babies, must have a medical examination if it is required for the visa they are applying for.
Children aged 10 and under do not need to have a chest x-ray, unless the physician thinks it is necessary or we ask for one.
Children aged 14 and under do not need to have a blood test, unless the physician thinks it is necessary or we ask for one.
What happens at a medical examination
There are 3 parts to the medical examination:
- medical history and physical examination
- urine and blood tests
- chest x-ray, if required.
The physician checks your height, weight, mental state, hearing and vision, listens to your heart and lungs, feels your abdomen and checks your reflexes and other parts of your nervous system.
Some parts of the examination may be completed by a nurse or health care assistant.
You will need to:
- remove some items of clothing for the physical examination
- provide a urine sample during the medical examination
- get blood tests, and possibly a chest x-ray or some other tests if necessary — you will be told before or during the examination if you need these and you may need to go to different places to get some tests done.
If you would like a copy of your medical examination results, you need to tell the clinic when you have your examination.
Your x-ray and medical examination results
Paying for your medical examination
You must pay any fees and costs related to your medical examinations. Health costs can vary from country to country. Ask the clinic about the fees when you make your appointment.