Health requirements for a student visa

You need to be healthy to get a student visa in NZ. Depending on where you're from and how long you want to stay, you may need to provide health certificates with your application.

Who needs to provide medical certificates

When you apply, you’ll be asked questions about your medical history. You may need to have a chest X-ray or provide other medical certificates depending on:

  • whether you’re an international fee-paying student or a domestic student
  • where you’re from
  • where you’ve been living, and
  • how long you want to stay in New Zealand.
Note: Immigration New Zealand (INZ) can ask you to have a chest X-ray or a medical examination if they need more information about your health when they process your application.

Health information for visa applicants — INZ

Application forms, guides and checklists — INZ

If you’re an international fee-paying student

International fee-paying students do not usually need a medical examination, but you might have to have a chest X-ray.

Staying for less than 6 months

You do not need to have a chest X-ray or get medical certificates unless INZ asks you to.

Staying for 6 months or longer

You must have a chest X-ray if you:

  • have a passport issued by a country where tuberculosis is common
  • have been in a country where tuberculosis is common:
    • in the last 5 years, and
    • you stayed for a total of 3 months or more.

Check the list — if a country you are from, or were in is not on the list, you must provide a chest X-ray certificate.

Countries with a low incidence of tuberculosis — INZ

Note: Unless you’re studying for a PhD, you must take out health insurance for the time you’re in New Zealand on a student visa. The institution where you plan to study can usually help you find health and travel insurance.

If you’re a domestic student

Staying for less than 6 months

You do not need to have a chest X-ray or get medical certificates unless INZ asks you to.

Staying for 6 to 12 months

You must have a chest X-ray if you:

  • have a passport issued by a country where tuberculosis is common
  • have been in a country where tuberculosis is common:
    • in the last 5 years, and
    • you stayed for a total of 3 months or more.

Check the list — if a country you are from or were in is not on the list, you must provide a chest X-ray certificate.

Countries with a low incidence of tuberculosis — INZ

Staying more than 12 months

You need to have a chest X-ray and a medical examination.

If you need a chest X-ray

You must visit an approved doctor or radiologist (called a panel physician) to get a chest X-ray.

Find a radiologist or doctor near you — INZ

Getting an x-ray or medical examination — INZ

When you apply your chest X-ray must be less than 3 months old. In most cases, the results of your X-ray are sent electronically to INZ.

Some people are excused

You do not need to provide a chest X-ray if:

  • you’re pregnant
  • you’re under 11 years of age, or
  • you’ve already provided this information to INZ in the last 3 years.

If you need a medical examination

You must see an approved doctor, called a panel physician, for your medical examination.

Find a radiologist or doctor near you — INZ

Getting an x-ray or medical examination — INZ

When you apply, your medical certificates must be less than 3 months old. In most cases, the certificates are sent electronically to INZ.

If you have health problems

Your visa application may be turned down if the cost of your healthcare is going to be too expensive. Before you apply, contact Immigration New Zealand (INZ) to check.

Contact us — INZ

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact the following agency.

Utility links and page information

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