From 3 August 2026, INZ removed hepatitis B and hepatitis C from the high-cost health conditions list used when assessing whether resident visa applicants meet New Zealand’s acceptable standard of health requirements. This is an important change for people with hepatitis B or hepatitis C who are applying for a New Zealand resident visa. Previously, hepatitis B and hepatitis C were included on INZ’s high-cost health conditions list. This meant that certain applicants with these conditions would be assessed as not having an acceptable standard of health because the condition was considered likely to impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand’s health services.
We have encountered cases over the years where applicants with hepatitis B or C were assessed as not having an acceptable standard of health under the previous health requirements. As a result, some of those applications were declined a medical waiver or were not eligible for a medical waiver. This means that hepatitis B or hepatitis C will no longer, by itself, result in an applicant being treated as a high-cost health case simply because of the condition’s inclusion on that list. Instead, INZ medical assessors will consider the applicant’s individual medical circumstances.
What has changed?
New Zealand’s immigration health requirements include an assessment of whether an applicant is likely to impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand’s health or special education services. The high-cost health conditions list is one of the tools used in this assessment. For resident visa applications submitted on or after 3 August 2026, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are no longer included on that list. According to INZ, the change reflects developments in the treatment and management of these conditions. The expected cost of treatment for hepatitis B and hepatitis C is now well below the NZD $81,000 significant-cost threshold. INZ worked closely with the Ministry of Health on the change, with Pharmac supporting the removal of hepatitis B and hepatitis C from the high-cost health conditions list.
What does this mean for applicants?
The key point is simple. A diagnosis of hepatitis B or hepatitis C will no longer automatically deem the applicant to have a condition that imposes significant health costs. Instead, the medical assessor can consider the applicant’s particular circumstances, including their current health, treatment and likely medical needs. This is important because people with the same diagnosis can have very different health and treatment requirements.
Applicants should therefore make sure their medical information is accurate and complete and provide relevant information about treatment, monitoring and their current medical circumstances where required.
Other changes to the high-cost health conditions list
INZ has also updated the wording for several other conditions.
- Major psychiatric illness and/or addiction — the wording now focuses on major psychiatric illness and/or addiction where significant support is required.
- Severe autoimmune disease — the wording has been updated to recognise a wider range of lower-cost treatment options.
- Renal and hepatic disorders — INZ has clarified the wording relating to renal and hepatic disorders to better identify the conditions intended to fall within the high-cost list.
These changes are intended to keep the list focused on conditions that are likely to impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand’s health services. The removal of hepatitis B and hepatitis C from the high-cost list does not mean that applicants will automatically be granted a resident visa. Applicants must still meet all the requirements of their particular residence category, including the applicable health, character and other immigration requirements. INZ may still consider an applicant’s overall medical circumstances when assessing whether they meet the acceptable standard of health requirement.
The important change is that hepatitis B or hepatitis C will no longer automatically result in an applicant being assessed as not having an acceptable standard of health simply because the condition was included on the high-cost health conditions list.
If you have other significant medical conditions or complex treatment needs, consider getting professional advice before applying.
A positive change for prospective residents
The removal of hepatitis B and hepatitis C from the high-cost health conditions list is a positive development for people with these conditions who want to apply for a New Zealand resident visa.
The main change is that hepatitis B and hepatitis C will now be considered on an individual basis rather than automatically being treated as high-cost conditions under the list. However, the wider immigration health requirements still apply, and each application will be assessed according to the relevant rules and the applicant’s individual circumstances.
If you are concerned about how a medical condition could affect your New Zealand residence application, getting advice before lodging your application can help you understand the potential issues and prepare the appropriate information.
Contact us to book a consultation.