New Zealand Residence Health Rules Change for Hepatitis B and C

Immigration New Zealand has updated how some resident visa applications are assessed under New Zealand’s health requirements. From 3 August 2026, resident visa applicants with hepatitis B or hepatitis C will no longer be automatically assessed as failing the acceptable standard of health requirement because those conditions appear on the high-cost health conditions list.

What has changed

Under the updated policy, hepatitis B and hepatitis C have been removed from Immigration New Zealand’s list of high-cost health conditions used when assessing resident visa applications. The change applies to resident visa applications submitted on or after 3 August 2026.

Immigration New Zealand has said the decision reflects the reduced cost of treating both conditions. Expected treatment costs are now well below the significant cost threshold of NZD $81,000.

This does not mean health requirements have been removed. Applicants with hepatitis B or hepatitis C must still meet New Zealand’s acceptable standard of health requirements. The key difference is that medical assessors will now consider the applicant’s individual medical circumstances, rather than automatically treating hepatitis B or C as likely to impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand’s health or education services.

Immigration New Zealand has also revised wording for several other conditions on the high-cost health conditions list to provide more clarity for applicants and medical assessors. The changes include clarifying that major psychiatric illness and/or addiction will be included where significant support is required. The wording for severe autoimmune disease has been updated to recognise a wider range of lower-cost treatment options. The wording for renal and hepatic disorders has also been clarified to better reflect the conditions intended to be included on the list.

What this means for migrants

For migrants planning a New Zealand Visa pathway that includes residence, this is a meaningful update if hepatitis B or hepatitis C is relevant to their medical history. Previously, these conditions could trigger an automatic assessment that the applicant was likely to create significant health costs or demands. Under the new approach, the assessment should be more individualised.

Applicants should still approach health evidence carefully. New Zealand’s residence health requirements remain important, and every application is assessed on its own facts. A health condition may still need to be reviewed by Immigration New Zealand medical assessors, and the outcome will depend on the person’s full medical circumstances and the rules that apply to their visa category.

The update may also reduce uncertainty for some applicants who were concerned that hepatitis B or hepatitis C would automatically create a major barrier to residence. However, it should not be interpreted as a guarantee of approval. Residence applications involve a range of requirements, including identity, character, health, and the specific criteria of the visa pathway being used.

Immigration New Zealand has said the updates are intended to keep the high-cost health conditions list focused on conditions that are likely to place significant costs or demands on New Zealand’s health services. The agency worked with the Ministry of Health on the changes, and Pharmac supports the removal of hepatitis B and hepatitis C from the list.

What to do next

If you are preparing a resident visa application and have a medical condition, it is sensible to check the current Immigration New Zealand health instructions before relying on older information. The rules can change, and timing matters. This update applies to resident visa applications submitted on or after 3 August 2026.

If hepatitis B or hepatitis C is relevant to your situation, consider gathering clear medical information and making sure your wider application is well prepared. The health assessment is only one part of a New Zealand residence application, so it is important to understand the full criteria for your pathway.

If you are unsure how this update may affect your plans, you can get matched with a licensed immigration adviser who can consider your circumstances and explain the process in plain English. Personalised guidance can help you understand what evidence may be relevant and how to approach your New Zealand Visa application carefully.

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