E6.1 Health requirements (26/07/1999)

Immigration Regulations 1999 regs 6(2)(c), 8, 13(2)(b)

1. Applicants must meet an acceptable standard of health (see A4) to ensure they are fit for the proposed purpose of stay and while in New Zealand they do not:
   1. become a burden on the health service, or
   2. require extensive medical treatment or care (unless they are entering New Zealand specifically for approved medical treatment under the policy in V3.40), or
   3. cause others to become ill.
2. All persons who intend to stay in New Zealand for a total of more than 24 months must undergo a medical and x-ray examination.
3. If there is any indication of any medical condition which could mean they might not meet the provisions of paragraph (a) above, visa and immigration officers may also require persons who intend to stay in New Zealand for a total of 24 months or less to provide a medical report or undergo a medical examination, including if appropriate, an x-ray.
4. If any person included in the application fails to meet the health requirements, the application for all those included in it may be declined.

E6.1.1 Persons intending to stay in New Zealand for a total of more than 24 months

Persons who intend to stay in New Zealand for a total of more than 24 months include:

1. those already in New Zealand for up to 24 months seeking a further permit to be in New Zealand for longer than 24 months; and
2. those applying for visas or permits who indicate their intention is to remain in New Zealand for longer than 24 months; and
3. those applying for student visas or permits for courses of study that are longer in total than 24 months.

E6.1.5 Evidence of health

1. If applicants are required to undergo a medical and x-ray examination, the following documents must be supplied for every person included in an application:
   1. a fully completed NZIS Medical Certificate for New Zealand, and
   2. an NZIS X-ray Certificate for New Zealand (except in the case of a pregnant woman or child under the age of 12), and
   3. any associated medical or laboratory reports required for the medical or X-ray certificates.
2. All medical and X-ray certificates and associated reports must be less than 3 months old at the time the application is made.

E6.1.10 Assessment

1. Officers must assess medical and X-ray certificates first against the assessment guidelines given in the Administration chapter (A4.50).
2. If officers are not satisfied that an applicant is in good health after assessing the certificates against the guidelines, they must refer the certificates to an NZIS consultant physician for further assessment.

Effective 26/07/1999