The final bit of evidence you’ll need to provide is of your good health. You don’t need perfect health, but you can’t be a danger to the health of other people in New Zealand (in other words carrying tuberculosis). Applicants may also be denied due to having health conditions that will cost New Zealand’s health system too much money. When you submit your first visa application, the report must be less than three months old, so you’ll want to time this accordingly.
There are often two parts to the medical exam for adults: a chest X-ray to show you don’t have tuberculosis (TB) and a full medical examination including urine and blood tests. A chest X-ray is only required if you are from or have spent more than three months in a country that does not have a low incidence of TB (or in other words, a country that is not on the list of countries with a low incidence of TB). If you are from the United States, hold off until you are able to get all exams and tests done in New Zealand; you will save heaps of money over what medical centres in the United States will charge. There are many New Zealand clinics that will do the required tests and exams all at once, what is typically called an “immigration medical” package. The usual fee is NZ$250 for adults, NZ$75-150 for kids. It’s a great value for a thorough medical exam!
Finding a clinic is simple. Google “new zealand immigration medical” and you’ll be greeted with a host of options, especially in Auckland. Two that we rate highly are Symonds Street Medical Centre and Victoria Park Medical Suites (both are also great GP practices). You can search all providers—both in New Zealand and overseas—approved by Immigration NZ to complete medical and chest X-ray certificates at immigration.govt.nz/paneldoctors.
The four of us spent a morning at one such clinic in Auckland and got all our tests and exams done in one go. Since our daughters were both under 10 years old, they only required one exam each. Michael and I got the full package: health history and physical exams, blood and urine tests, chest X-rays (having spent the past 18 months in countries not on the list of low incidence tuberculosis countries). A couple of days later we were notified via email that our completed medical certificates were submitted to Immigration NZ via the NZimed electronic system. We were ready for the next step.
Even if Immigration NZ determines you or someone in your family does not have an “acceptable standard of health” they might grant a medical waiver if all other visa conditions are met. There are only a handful of situations where a medical waiver cannot be granted (such as requiring kidney dialysis or full-time care). In a situation where heath may be an issue, it’s well worth contacting a licensed immigration adviser to discuss the options.