Don’t Meet the Health Requirements for a NZ Visa?

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) applies the Acceptable Standard of Health (ASH) criteria when assessing both residence and temporary visa applications. If your medical condition doesn’t meet ASH, your visa may be at risk - but you could still qualify through a Medical Waiver.

​Specialists in Medical Waivers and Complex Health Cases​​​

At Immigration Trust, we focus on challenging immigration situations -  including medical waiver requests.

Many applicants receive negative health assessments from INZ that:
  • Are based on outdated or incorrect medical assumptions
  • ​Misapply immigration health policy
  • Overstate the impact of a condition on NZ’s public health system

​We don’t conduct medical assessments​, but we work closely with your treating doctors to strengthen your case.
Our team will:
  • Draft a professional guide to help your doctor write a report aligned with INZ standards
  • Ensure the report directly addresses the concerns raised by INZ’s medical assessor
Present your case in a format that INZ case officers and medical assessors clearly understand

This process helps your doctor communicate the medical facts more effectively  and gives you the best chance of approval.​

What Is a Medical Waiver?​

A medical waiver allows you to be considered for a visa even if you don’t meet the standard health criteria. INZ case officers must give you a chance to respond before declining your application.
When reviewing your waiver request, INZ will consider:
  • The purpose of the health requirement for your visa type
  • Estimated health costs or pressure your condition might place on the system
  • Whether you have close family permanently living in New Zealand
  • Your potential contribution to New Zealand
  • Whether your stay is temporary or permanent​
We help you prepare a strategic response that frames your situation in the most compelling way — backed by immigration policy and medical evidence.

“Relatively High Probability” – What It Really Means​

INZ may claim your condition carries a “relatively high probability” of needing expensive treatment or high-demand services. This phrase means they believe there’s a more than 50% chance - but less than 100% - that your care will exceed certain cost thresholds.
​
We challenge these assumptions by showing that:
  • Your condition is stable and manageable
  • You’re unlikely to require high-cost treatment during your stay
  • You do not meet the “relatively high probability” criteria

Temporary vs. Residence Visas – Health Policy Differences​​

For Temporary Visas:
Health standards are more flexible, especially for short stays. To decline a temporary visa, INZ must prove your condition requires:
  • Hospitalisation
  • High-cost pharmaceuticals
  • Residential or disability care
For Residence Visas:
Requirements are stricter. If you don’t meet ASH, a medical waiver is often the only path forward.

​Common Health Conditions That May Not Meet ASH​​

INZ may raise ASH concerns if you have:
  • Hepatitis B or C requiring treatment
  • Cancer, except minor cases
  • Organ transplants (excluding corneal grafts)
  • Severe heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease
  • Neurological disorders (e.g. Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, Parkinson’s)
  • Severe musculoskeletal issues requiring surgery
  • Cognitive impairments needing long-term support
  • Severe vision or hearing loss
  • Addictions or psychiatric conditions needing hospital care
  • A history of MDR-TB or XDR-TB, unless cleared by a NZ specialist
INZ may also decline a visa if your medical costs are likely to exceed NZ$81,000 (or NZ$41,000 if you applied before 4 Sept 2022).​

When INZ requires a medical waiver?

NZ may request a medical waiver if you are considered Non-ASH (Not meeting the Acceptable Standard of Health) due to certain serious health conditions.
Examples include:
  • Active Tuberculosis (TB)
  • HIV/AIDS (advanced or untreated)
  • Hepatitis B or C (active disease)
  • End-stage kidney disease (dialysis)
  • Cancer (current or recent, metastatic)
  • Severe heart, lung, or psychiatric conditions
  • Intellectual disabilities or severe autism
  • Brain injury or cerebral palsy (moderate/severe)
  • Multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis
  • Severe epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, dementia
  • Major mobility impairments (wheelchair dependency)
  • Haemophilia, severe diabetes complications
  • Severe rheumatoid arthritis, organ transplants
  • Severe burns, disfigurement, or obesity linked to other health issues
If you have any of these or other serious health conditions, your application may be declined unless properly addressed. We have over a decade of proven success helping clients with medical issues. Let us assist you.

HIV and ASH – Positive Policy Shift​​

HIV is no longer considered an automatic barrier to meeting ASH.
  • INZ no longer assumes HIV treatment is too expensive
  • Each case is now assessed individually​​
We’ve successfully helped many clients with HIV-related waiver applications and continue to support individuals in this category.

​Why Choose Immigration Trust?​​

We’ve helped many people secure visas despite complex health concerns. Here’s how we support you:
  • Guide your doctor in creating an INZ-compliant medical report
  • Address specific concerns raised in PPI letters
  • Communicate with INZ using accurate immigration policy language
  • Strategically present your case for a successful outcome

​Our Successful Medical Waiver Cases

  • Client flagged for potential coronary angiography due to heart condition. Simon secured an extension and prepared a strong medical waiver. Work visa approved in 6 weeks.. Read the full story
  • Client required further tests for a potential heart issue. INZ raised cost concerns. Medical waiver approved. Read the full story
  • Client diagnosed with AIDS. With Simon’s support, he secured a work visa, then residency via the 2021 Resident Visa pathway after a successful medical waiver. Read the full story
  • ​After a redundancy, the client secured a new job but faced hesitation from her employer. Simon facilitated employer support and prepared a proactive medical waiver. Her three-year work visa was approved without issue. Read the full story
  • Client with a history of stroke sought help after INZ raised medical concerns. Simon guided her through preparing a comprehensive medical waiver supported by clear medical evidence. The application was successful, and her residence visa was approved. Read the full story
  • Client received a PPI letter due to concerns over a possible tuberculosis (TB) diagnosis following a chest x-ray. After consulting Simon, we submitted a thorough medical waiver application. Her 2021 Resident Visa was successfully approved. Read the full story
  • Client with a cardiac condition received a PPI letter after lodging his 2021 Resident Visa application. He engaged Simon following a consultation, and together they submitted a strong medical waiver application. After responding to multiple PPIs, residence visas for him and his family were approved. Read the full story
  • Client with a  complex medical condition  caused by a disease contracted while working in a hospital sought Simon’s help. After a paid consultation, he engaged our services to prepare a thorough medical waiver application. Despite further information requests from INZ, his resident visa was approved. Read the full story
  • Client received a PPI letter due to a medical condition while applying for a Partnership-based Work Visa. Unsure of his previous adviser’s support, he turned to Simon for expert help. After securing an extension and submitting a strong medical waiver, his work visa was approved. He later re-engaged us for his residence visa application. Read the full Story
  • Client had a previously undisclosed medical condition during his 2021 Resident Visa application. After consulting Simon, he engaged our services to prepare a comprehensive medical waiver. Following multiple communications with INZ, his resident visa was approved. Read the full story
  • Client with a medical condition sought our help for his and his wife’s resident visa applications. After a consultation with Simon, we guided them through a detailed medical waiver process. Months later, both were granted residency, ready to begin their new life in New Zealand. Read the full story
  • An Indian couple sought help with their 2021 Resident Visa, concerned about their child’s medical condition affecting the outcome. After consulting with Simon, we prepared a strong medical waiver for their child. The application was successful, and the family was granted residency in New Zealand. Read the full story
  • In 2021, a client from Indonesia sought help with his family’s Resident Visa, concerned about his wife’s medical condition risking their application. After consulting with Simon, we submitted a detailed medical waiver, and INZ approved residency for the entire family. Read the full story
  • A client facing repeated Resident Visa rejections due to health issues found hope when his wife reached out for help. After engaging Simon, we prepared a strong medical waiver and submitted the necessary family documentation. INZ approved their residency, reuniting the family in New Zealand. Read the full story
  • A client’s child had a medical condition, requiring a medical waiver as part of their Resident Visa application. With Simon’s close guidance and ongoing communication, we addressed all INZ requests. After months of collaboration, the family’s Resident Visas were approved. Read the full story
  • A client’s father faced multiple declines for a General Visitor Visa due to a medical condition. With Simon’s leadership, we prepared a precise medical waiver and maintained close communication with INZ. The visa was approved, reuniting the family in New Zealand. Read the full story
  • A client’s Parent Resident Visa application was at risk due to his father’s serious health issues. After receiving a PPI letter, we submitted a strong medical waiver, contested the initial medical assessment, and maintained detailed communication with INZ. The visa was approved, reuniting the family in New Zealand. Read the full story
  • A Fijian family’s Resident Visa application was initially declined due to their daughter’s developmental condition and possible autism. After lodging an appeal to the IPT, we presented strong evidence of the family’s contributions. The IPT recommended a special direction, leading to the family’s residency approval. Read the full story
  • An Indian client applying under the Skilled Migrant Category faced challenges due to a non-ASH medical condition. We submitted a strong case highlighting his skills, job offer, and well-managed condition. INZ approved the medical waiver, and residency was granted for him and his wife. Read the full story
  • A client’s Parent Resident Visa application was complicated by the father’s high blood pressure, requiring a cardiologist’s report, echocardiogram, and a medical waiver. We addressed all of INZ’s concerns, resulting in residency approval for both parents. Read the full story
"I was on the verge of giving up on applying for visa here in New Nealand due to my medical result is considered as "not ASH". lots of stress and sleepless nights. Luckily I found Immigration Trust and Simon."  Read the full review.

Use Our Assessment Service​

If you’ve received a medical concern letter or anticipate a health issue affecting your visa, get Expert Help with Your Medical Waiver Today!

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Real Success Stories