E6.1 Health requirements (01/04/2004)

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. Applicants for student visas or permits (except pregnant women and children under 12 years of age) who intend to be in New Zealand for more than 6 months, up to a total of 24 months, and who:
   1. hold a passport issued by a country not listed in Appendix 9; or
   2. in the 5 years prior to application have spent a combined total of 3 or more months in any one or more countries not listed in Appendix 9.

   must undergo a TB screening X-ray.

3. Despite (b)(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 (b)(ii) does not apply, the requirement to undergo a TB screening chest X-ray and provide a Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate form may be waived.
4. The requirement under 6.1(b) above, does not take effect in respect of applications for student visas and permits made in New Zealand until 27 June 2004.
5. All applicants who intend to stay in New Zealand for a total of more than 24 months must undergo a medical and x-ray examination. (Pregnant women and children under the age of 12 years are not required to have an x-ray examination.)
6. Despite (b) and (e) above, 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.
7. 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

If applicants are required to undergo a medical and/or x-ray examination, the following documents must be supplied for every person included in an application:

1. Applicants for student visas or permits who intend to be in New Zealand for more than 6 months, up to a total of 24 months:
   1. a fully completed NZIS Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate form, NZIS 1096 (except in the case of a pregnant woman or child under the age of 12); and
   2. any associated medical or laboratory reports required for the X-ray certificate (see E6.1(b) and U3.1.1).
2. All other applicants who intend to stay in New Zealand for a total of more than 24 months:
   1. a fully completed NZIS Medical Certificate for New Zealand, and
   2. a fully completed NZIS X-ray Certificate for New Zealand (except in the case of a pregnant woman or child under the age of 12); and, where required
   3. any associated medical or laboratory reports required for the medical or X-ray certificates.
3. 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 01/04/2004