Paying for maternity care

Covering the cost of your maternity care

Depending on the visa you are applying for and your nationality you may be eligible for publicly funded health care during and after your pregnancy.

If you are not eligible you must cover the costs of your own maternity care — when you apply for your visa, you need to provide evidence of how you will pay.

Maternity care includes looking after you:

• before your baby is born
• during labour and birth, and
• after your baby is born.

Who can get publicly funded maternity care

Some women can get maternity care no matter what visa they have for New Zealand. You are eligible if you:

• have a partner who is eligible for publicly funded health care
• are claiming refugee or protection status
• are a victim of people trafficking
• have an Interim Visa and you were eligible for publicly funded health care immediately before we issued your Interim Visa
• are a citizen of the United Kingdom — although the range of health services New Zealand offers is limited.

Pregnancy services — Te Whatu Ora — Health New Zealand

Getting public health care in New Zealand

Paying for your maternity care

If you are not eligible for public health care and have a temporary visa to visit, study or work in New Zealand, you must show you have a minimum of NZD $9,000 to pay for your maternity care. You can:

• pay these costs yourself
• come to New Zealand under sponsorship — your sponsor is responsible for you in New Zealand, and can guarantee to pay the costs, or
• use a guarantor if you have a student visa — a guarantor is a relative, friend or organisation that can guarantee they will pay the costs.

Evidence that you can pay for your care

With your visa application, you must include evidence you have:

• a minimum of NZD $9,000 to pay for your health and medical costs, and
• additional funds for your accommodation, living costs and travel out of New Zealand.

You can include evidence such as:

• bank statements in your name
• bank drafts
• recognised credit cards with enough credit available, or
• travellers' cheques.

If you have a sponsor or guarantor

Your sponsor or guarantor must be able to show they:

• are an acceptable sponsor or guarantor, and
• can pay a minimum of NZD $9,000 for your care.

Who can sponsor a visa applicant

Your sponsor or guarantor must complete a form to send in with your visa and provide evidence of how they will meet the cost of your maternity care.

Sponsorship form for temporary entry (INZ 1025) — if you have a sponsor that will be responsible for you and pay your costs while you visit, study or work in New Zealand

Financial undertaking for a student (INZ 1014) — if you have a guarantor that will pay your costs while you study in New Zealand