E6.1 Health requirements policy... (15/11/2004)

E6.1 Health requirements policy for applications made before 4 April 2005

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. If any person included in an application for temporary entry is assessed as not having an acceptable standard of health (unless V3.40 applies), the application will be declined unless a medical waiver is granted (see A4).

E6.1.5 Requirement to undergo screening for tuberculosis for people with risk factors for tuberculosis

1. Applicants for temporary visas or permits who intend to be in New Zealand for more than 6 months, and not more than 24 months, and are considered to have risk factors for tuberculosis must undergo a TB screening X-ray unless:
   1. they are pregnant; or
   2. they are under 12 years of age; or
   3. they are applicants for visas and permits issued or granted under the provisions of a Working Holiday Scheme.
2. Applicants required to undergo a TB screening X-ray must provide:
   1. a fully completed NZIS Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate form, NZIS 1096; and
   2. any associated medical or laboratory reports required for the X-ray certificate.
3. TB screening X-ray certificates and associated reports must be less than three months old at the time the application is made unless:
   1. the applicant’s TB screening X-ray certificate and associated report provided with an earlier application for temporary entry are less than 24 months old; and
   2. a visa and immigration officer has not requested a further TB screening X-ray certificate as a basis for determining the application (see E6.1.20).

      Note: A TB screening X-ray certificate cannot be used to meet the requirement for a NZIS X-ray certificate set out in E6.1.10.

      Note: Where an applicant for a temporary permit is assessed as having active tuberculosis, and their application for a further permit is declined on the basis that they do not have an acceptable standard of health, a visitor’s permit should be granted under V3.40.10 allowing a stay in New Zealand of one month, to enable the applicant to receive immediate medical treatment to render the disease non-infectious and to travel out of New Zealand.

E6.1.5.1 Definition of person with risk factors for tuberculosis

1. A person is considered to have risk factors for tuberculosis if:
   1. they hold a passport issued by a country not listed in Appendix 9; or
   2. in the five years prior to application they have spent a combined total of three or more months in any one or more countries not listed in Appendix 9.
2. Despite (a)(i) above, if an applicant provides evidence that satisfies an immigration or visa officer they have never lived or spent time in the country that issued their passport, and (a)(ii) does not apply, they will not be considered to have high risk factors for tuberculosis and the requirement to undergo a TB screening X-ray and provide the associated Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate form will not apply.

E6.1.5.5 People intending to stay in New Zealand for a total of more than six months

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

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

   Note: Where an applicant with risk factors for tuberculosis will have spent a total of more than six months in New Zealand on separate visits within a 12 month period, a visa or immigration officer may request that person to undergo a TB screening X-ray.

E6.1.10 Requirement to undergo full health screening

1. All applicants who intend to stay in New Zealand for a total of more than 24 months must undergo a full medical and x-ray examination.

   Note: Pregnant women and children under the age of 12 are not required to have an X-ray examination.

2. Despite (a) above, if there is any indication of any medical condition which could mean they might not meet the provisions of paragraph E6.1 (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.
3. Applicants required to undergo a full medical and x-ray examination must provide:
   1. a fully completed Medical and Chest X-ray Report (NZIS 1007); and
   2. where required, any associated medical or laboratory reports required for the medical or X-ray certificates.
4. All medical and X-ray certificates and associated reports must be less than three months old at the time the application is made.

E6.1.10.1 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 a course or courses of study that are longer in total than 24 months.

E6.1.15 Assessment

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

Effective 15/11/2004