Health screening requirements for migrants
The implementation timeframe for aspects of the new migrant health screening package has been changed.
As earlier announced, new tuberculosis screening requirements for migrants will take effect from 4 April while implementation of other health and disability screening requirements, scheduled to take effect from 4 April, have been deferred.
From next month, all potential migrants from countries with high TB rates or with risk factors for TB will be tested. As well, the age at which screening for TB is required will be lowered from 12 to 11.
Potential migrants are considered a TB risk if they are a citizen of or have, during the past five years, spent more than three months in a country with high rates of TB.
Next month’s TB screening changes follow a stepped approach. Screening of international students began in June 2004, followed by visitor and work visa applicants five months later in November.
From 4 April, the interim exemption granted under the working holiday scheme will be lifted.
Implementation of the other requirements has been deferred because of feedback from medical examiners. This has prompted Workforce – Immigration to alter the timeframe for full implementation so that it can undertake more preparation to ensure changes are effectively implemented.
The objective of the policy – to protect public health in New Zealand and ensure that migrants do not impose significant costs – remains unchanged.
Applicants and medical examiners should now use the form Medical and X-ray Certificate - March 2005. Workforce – Immigration branches will accept the Medical and Chest X-ray Certificate issued in November 2004 only if an applicant has already used it. This certificate has now been withdrawn from circulation.
For more information visit: http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/
