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Tough new health laws on way

MAJOR changes to the health requirements for people going to New Zealand take effect from April 4.

The rules are even tougher for people lodging their applications after April 4, 2005.

There will be a new acceptable standard of health for both people intending to go to New Zealand as residents and for those entering on a temporary basis.

For residence applications, you will be considered to have an acceptable standard of health if you are:

* unlikely to be a danger to public health, and

* unlikely to impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand's health services and/or education services, and

* able to undertake the functions for which you were granted entry.

For temporary entry applications, you will be considered to have an acceptable standard of health if you are:

* unlikely to be a danger to public health; and

* unlikely to require hospitalisation or residential care during your period of stay in New Zealand

* unlikely to require ORRS funding through the education system

If you're making a temporary entry application you may still be allowed into New Zealand if you have a condition that would be expensive to treat or you have a chronic illness, as long as you're unlikely to require hospital treatment while here.

For example, we may allow a tourist with HIV/AIDS to come to New Zealand as long as they bring sufficient medication with them.

Work to Residence, Long Term Business Visa applicants and workers intending to be in New Zealand for more than two years will be assessed against the acceptable standard of health for residence, because they are eligible for publicly funded health services.

There is one medical certificate form to fill in for applications lodged before 4 April 2005 and a different one for applications lodged on or after 4 April 2005. Because your medical certificate must be less than three months old when you lodge your application it is important you use the right form.

If you are applying for residence, you must supply medical certificates for your partner and all your dependent children. You still need to supply these medical certificates if you or your partner don't have custody of the children.

If you intend to be in New Zealand for more than a year, you will have to provide a medical certificate. Previously the period was two years.

It includes time in New Zealand as a result of the renewal of a permit.

The age requirement for X-ray testing will be lowered and chest X-rays will be required for everyone 11 years of age and over. Pregnant women don't need to undergo this test.

If your medical certificates are more than two years old when you apply for another temporary visa or permit, you will have to submit new ones.

If you don't have an acceptable standard of health, your application will be declined unless we grant you a medical waiver. The NZIS will only consider a medical waiver if:

* all other requirements for approval of your application have been met, and

* your application is under one of the following categories-

* Family Sponsored Categories for Residence - Partnership Policy; Parent Policy; Sibling/Adult Child Policy; Dependent Child Policy, Family Quota, and Refugee Family Quota

* Residence Policy for Victims of Domestic Violence

* Temporary Entry - Seconded Business Personnel

Partners of New Zealand citizens and residents - temporary entrants

Medical waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis.

A decision on your application may be deferred in some cases so you can obtain medical treatment.

You will not be given a waiver if you have any of these medical conditions:

* severe haemophilia

* medical conditions requiring renal dialysis

* active tuberculosis (TB) - however, a decision on your application may be deferred until treatment is received.

If you have a medical condition that is considered to be significantly costly to treat and/or for which treatment is in high demand you will be considered NOT to have an acceptable standard of health for residence and will not meet the health requirements. This means that entry will not be approved unless you are eligible to be considered for, and are granted, a medical waiver.

There are other medical conditions not listed which may mean you may not be able to meet these health requirements, and these will be considered on a case by case basis.