Getting an x-ray or medical examination

When to have your chest x-ray or medical examination

If you need to get a chest x-ray or medical examination, the application form tells you when to get them.

For most online or paper applications, you must get a chest x-ray or medical examination before you apply. With some other visas we let you know you need them after you submit your visa application. This could be a few days after you submit it.

Who needs an x-ray or medical examination

X-rays and medical examinations for online applications

Check if you need an x-ray or medical examination before or after you apply for your visa online.

Getting x-rays and medical examinations after submitting an application

If you are applying for an Accredited Employer Work Visa, or a visitor visa from a country outside of the Pacific Islands, apply using the online application form.

If you need to have a chest x-ray or medical examination we will tell you after you submit your application.

We do this through our online system. It notifies you to log in and check correspondence about booking a medical examination. In the correspondence is a booking reference number you use when making a medical examination appointment with an approved panel physician.

When you need an x-ray and medical examination before you apply

Check first before getting a chest x-ray and medical examination. Your situation affects what you may need. Such as how long you are staying in New Zealand, being pregnant, or there is a child under 11 in your application. For more information:

Who needs an x-ray or medical examination

If you are applying for a Group Visitor Visa, Tour Escort Visitor Visa, or a visitor visa from the Pacific Islands, and you need a chest x-ray or a medical examination, get them before you apply.

You also need to get them before you apply for either a:

• Straight to Residence Visa
• Partner of a New Zealander Visa
• Dependent Child of a New Zealander Visa.

When you apply online, to show you had an examination you can either:

• enter your panel physician eMedical reference code
• tell us the name of the clinic where you had the medical examination
• upload a copy of your medical certificate. 

Chest x-rays and medical examinations for paper application forms

You need to:

• prepare your visa application
• make an appointment and find out when you can get your blood test results
• download and read the authority to collect information in the client and consent declaration form
• go to your appointment – if the doctor finds an issue during your x-ray or medical examination you may need extra 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.

eMedical client consent and declaration form PDF 107KB

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
• 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.

Partnership

Dependent children

General medical examinations

You must have a general medical examination if you are not:

• the partner or dependent child 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 or dependent child of a New Zealand citizen or resident, and
• you were able to be included in your partner or parent's residence application, but you were not included or you 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 an approved panel physician.

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.

eMedical client consent and declaration form PDF 107KB

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 260KB

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.