Applying for NZ residency? Hepatitis B & C removed from high-cost health list

Resident visa applicants with hepatitis B or hepatitis C will no longer be automatically assessed as failing New Zealand’s acceptable standard of health requirements, following changes introduced by Immigration New Zealand (INZ).

Under the updated policy, hepatitis B and hepatitis C have been removed from INZ’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.

INZ said the decision reflects the reduced cost of treating both conditions, with expected treatment costs now well below the significant cost threshold of NZD $81,000.

While applicants with hepatitis B or hepatitis C must still meet New Zealand’s health requirements, INZ medical assessors will now assess each applicant based on their individual medical circumstances rather than automatically determining that they are likely to impose significant costs or demands on New Zealand’s health or education services.

As part of the update, INZ has also revised the wording of several conditions on its high-cost health conditions list to provide greater clarity for applicants and medical assessors.

The changes include:

- Major psychiatric illness and/or addiction will only be included where significant support is required.
- The wording relating to severe autoimmune disease has been updated to recognise a wider range of lower-cost treatment options.
- The wording for renal and hepatic disorders has been clarified to better reflect the conditions intended to be included on the list.

INZ said the updates are intended to ensure the high-cost health conditions list remains focused on conditions that are likely to place significant costs or demands on New Zealand’s health services.

The immigration agency said it worked closely with the Ministry of Health on the changes, while Pharmac also supports the removal of hepatitis B and hepatitis C from the high-cost health conditions list.

INZ has published further information outlining the changes and what they mean for resident visa applications.Click here to check.