Immigration New Zealand has recently announced a reimbursement program for 2021 Resident Visa applicants who were asked to obtain new health screenings that were not required. This initiative comes as a relief for many applicants who faced confusion and additional expenses due to a technical glitch. In this blog post, we will guide you through the details of this reimbursement program.

Background

In 2021, a technical issue with the Enhanced Immigration Online system led to some Resident Visa applicants being asked to provide new medical certificates, even though they had already submitted valid ones. This issue affected over a thousand applicants and caused unnecessary expenses and confusion. Immigration New Zealand acknowledged the issue and implemented a technical solution in July 2022.

Who is Eligible?

You are eligible for reimbursement if:

• You have been notified by Immigration New Zealand that you are eligible for reimbursement.
• You were asked to provide a medical certificate or chest X-ray with your 2021 Resident Visa application, but you had already provided these with an earlier application and they were still valid.

How to Apply for Reimbursement?

Immigration New Zealand has provided a specific Reimbursement Request Form for Medical Certificates that applicants must fill out.

Documents Required

• Proof of Medical Fee Payment: This must show the payer’s name, payment, and payment date. Acceptable documents include a scan, photo, or PDF of your receipt or a scan or screenshot of the online banking page showing the payment.
• Authorization to Receive the Reimbursement: This is only needed if the reimbursement is going to a third party instead of the original fee payer. The authorization can be an email, document, or written letter showing the date, name, and signature of the original payer, and the name of the third party authorized to receive the reimbursement.

Deadline for Application

It is crucial to note that the reimbursement request must be submitted by 23:59, 30 September 2023 New Zealand Daylight Time (NZDT).

Conclusion

Immigration New Zealand's decision to reimburse 2021 Resident Visa applicants for unnecessary health screenings is a welcome move. If you are one of the affected applicants, make sure to submit your reimbursement request before the deadline with all the required documents. This reimbursement program reflects Immigration New Zealand's commitment to fairness and the well-being of visa applicants.