Medical Waivers for New Zealand Visas

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) applies the Acceptable Standard of Health (ASH) criteria when assessing both residence and temporary visa applications. If your medical condition does not meet ASH, your visa could be declined but you may still be eligible for a medical waiver, particularly for residence class visas.

​Received a PPI Letter? Don’t Accept INZ’s Medical Assessment at Face Value

If you receive a Potentially Prejudicial Information (PPI) letter from your case officer stating that you may not meet ASH, do not assume their conclusion is final. In many cases:
  • The INZ medical assessor may have misapplied the visa health policy
  • ​The medical opinion may be incomplete or not evidence-based
At Immigration Trust, we work closely with you and guide your specialist on how to present medical facts clearly and effectively in a way that directly addresses the concerns raised by INZ’s medical assessor. We draft a targeted letter for your medical professional to help ensure their response aligns with INZ’s visa policy and health requirements.​

​What “Relatively High Probability” Means in Your INZ Medical Assessment

INZ may say you have a “relatively high probability” of placing pressure on New Zealand’s public health system. This typically means:
  • Your expected medical costs are projected to exceed 50% but are not certain
  • You may need ongoing treatment, surgery, or specialist care in New Zealand
We prepare strong rebuttals to show that your actual health risk falls below this threshold, helping preserve your visa eligibility.

​Temporary Visa vs Residence Visa: ASH Requirements

For temporary visas, your application will usually only be declined on health grounds if you are likely to require:
  • Hospitalisation
  • Residential care
  • High-cost pharmaceuticals
  • High-cost disability services
INZ takes a stricter approach to residence visa applications. If your health condition does not meet ASH, you’ll need to apply for a medical waiver.

​​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?

INZ 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.
INZ said our daughter didn’t meet the Acceptable Standard of Health and issued a third PPI letter. We had just one day left and were completely stuck. Our previous adviser could not handle the medical waiver process. Then we found Immigration Trust. Simon stepped in immediately, drafted the exact letter our specialist needed, and secured an extension. Thanks to his expertise, our family was granted residency."
[Click here to read the full review]
"I was on the verge of giving up on applying for visa here in new zealand due to my medical result is considered as "not ASH". lots of stress and sleepless nights. Luckily I found Immigration Trust and Simon." 

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