How long is a medical exam good for immigration to New Zealand?
There are a number of important steps to take when applying for a New Zealand visa. One of the most important is the medical exam. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) needs this to make sure you are healthy enough and won’t put public health at risk. But a common question comes up after you’ve finished your medicals: how long do they really last?
It’s important to know how long your medical certificate is good for so you can time your visa application correctly. If you send in an expired medical, it could cause delays or even rejection. This guide will help you understand the medical requirements for immigration to New Zealand, including how long your certificates are good for, what can affect this, and how to make the process go smoothly.
How long medical certificates are good for
When you apply for a visa to New Zealand, you usually have to show a medical certificate and, in some cases, a separate chest x-ray certificate. Immigration New Zealand has standard timeframes for how long these documents are good for.
Medical Certificate in General
A standard medical certificate for a New Zealand visa application is good for three years (36 months) from the date it is issued. This means that you can use that certificate for other visa applications for three years after your panel physician finishes your health exam and sends in the results, as long as your health hasn’t changed a lot.
Certificate for a Chest X-Ray
A chest x-ray certificate is also good for 36 months after the x-ray was taken. You can only use this certificate to check for tuberculosis (TB). You will probably need a chest x-ray if you are from a country that is not on INZ’s list of low-TB risk countries or if you have spent more than three months in one of those countries.
The 36-month validity period for both certificates lets applicants, especially those who are applying for multiple temporary visas over a few years, avoid the cost and hassle of having to take medical exams again.
Things That Can Change Your Medical Validity
The standard validity period for a medical certificate is 36 months, but there are some situations that can change how long it is accepted. It’s not always a simple rule that lasts three years.
Big Changes in Health
You may need to take a new exam even if your medical certificate is still valid for 36 months if you get a new medical condition or your current one gets worse. If your health changes in a big way, you have to tell Immigration New Zealand. If you don’t do this, it could look like you’re hiding important information, which could have big effects on your application.
Requirements for a Specific Visa
Some types of visas may have their own health requirements that require a more recent medical exam. For instance, jobs that require working closely with people who are vulnerable may have more frequent or stricter health checks. Always make sure you know what the visa you are applying for needs.
Concerns Identified in Your Medical Exam
If your first medical exam shows a condition that needs to be watched more closely, a Medical Assessor at INZ may limit how long your certificate is good for. For example, they might ask you to get a new specialist report or have another check-up sooner than 36 months. This is to make sure that your health stays stable and stays at an acceptable level.
Getting to know the eMedical System
The eMedical system has made it easier to send your medical results to Immigration New Zealand. This electronic platform speeds up and secures the whole process.
What is eMedical and how does it work?
- Find a Panel Physician Who Is Approved: A doctor or radiologist who is on INZ’s list of approved panel physicians must do your medical exam. You can’t see your regular doctor.
- Go to your appointment: You will need to show your passport and the clinic will take your picture. The physician will conduct the examination based on INZ’s requirements.
- Electronic Submission: The panel doctor sends your results, which include your medical history, exam findings, and any test results, directly to INZ through the secure eMedical system after your exam.
- Get Your eMedical Reference: You will get a special eMedical reference number, which is also known as a NZER number. This number must be on your visa application form. This lets INZ get to your health information online.
The eMedical system’s main benefit is that it works quickly. Because the results are submitted online, INZ can access your eMedical NZ results almost instantly, reducing processing times compared to the old paper-based system.
Can you make your medicines last longer?
A lot of people who apply ask if the medical certificate’s 36-month validity can be extended. No, the short answer is no.
Immigration New Zealand has a strict policy about how long things are good for. You can’t get your medical certificate extended if it has already expired. You will need to get a new medical exam and a new certificate. This policy is in place to make sure that INZ has the most up-to-date information about your health.
So, it’s very important to carefully plan when you will apply for your visa. If your medical certificate is close to expiring, it’s often safer to complete a new examination rather than risking a delay or having your application returned.
When do you need to get recertified?
In some important situations, you need to get recertified or take a new medical exam.
- Your certificate is no longer valid: You need to get a new medical exam if it has been more than 36 months since your last one.
- Your health has changed a lot: As I said before, if your health gets worse or you get a new condition, you need to tell INZ, which will probably mean taking a new exam.
- You are applying to live here: You might still need to get a full medical exam for a residence application, even if you have a valid temporary visa medical certificate. Often, the rules for getting a residence visa are stricter.
- It is asked for by INZ: If an Immigration Officer or Medical Assessor is worried about your health, they can ask for a new medical exam at any time. It could be because of something you said or a worry that came up in a previous exam.
The steps to get recertified are the same as the steps to take your first exam. You need to make an appointment with an approved panel physician and take the tests that are required.
How to Find and Choose an Approved Panel Doctor
It is not optional to use an INZ-approved panel physician; it is a requirement. Immigration New Zealand has given these doctors special permission to work in New Zealand because they know the medical requirements for immigration and have access to the Medical system.
The Immigration New Zealand website has a list of approved panel doctors. You can search the list by country to quickly find a clinic near you. When you make an appointment for your immigration medical for New Zealand, make sure to say that it is for a visa application.
Tips for a Smooth Medical Exam Process
Here are some useful tips to help you avoid problems and delays with your medical exam for a New Zealand visa:
- Make a reservation ahead of time: Panel physician clinics can be busy, so make your appointment well in advance of when you plan to apply for your visa.
- Bring Your Passport You need to bring your original passport to the appointment to prove who you are.
- Tell them everything about your medical history: When you fill out your medical history forms, be honest and complete. If you later find out that you have a medical condition, hiding it could be a reason for New Zealand to deny your visa.
- Bring Any Relevant Medical Reports: If you have a known medical condition, bring any letters, reports, or a list of your medications to the appointment. This gives the panel doctor a full picture of your health.
- Do what you were told to do before the appointment: The clinic might tell you to do things like not eat before a blood test. If you follow these steps carefully, your results will be correct.
- Take care of your eMedical Reference Number: You will need your NZER number to apply for a visa, so keep it in a safe place.
Your Health, Your App
The medical test requirements for a New Zealand visa can seem overwhelming, but they are a normal part of the process. To plan your application well, you need to know that your medical and chest x-ray certificates are good for 36 months. Always pay attention to any changes in your health and the specific requirements of the visa you want.
If you use an approved panel physician and are honest about your health, you can make sure that your medical exam goes well, which will help you get your visa.
Business Kiwi is here to help you with your visa application or any questions you have about the medical process. Our knowledgeable staff can help you deal with the difficulties of moving to New Zealand. Get in touch with us to talk about how we can help you on your journey.
