Immigration Services

With our background of patient-centred care, we are ideally placed to assist you with medical examinations for you or your family and routinely perform immigration medicals for both residency and work visa applications.

Our experience means that we can assure you of the fastest possible turnaround, with many patients able to collect their completed form just 2 working days after their examination.

"One Fee Guarantee" - we only charge you once for your medical.*

*There are no additional fees for our assistance in arranging follow-up tests nor for any correspondence required by the NZIS.   We do not charge you when you come to have your immigration medical signed-off.  Separate medicals (for new applications or re-applications) and medical treatments do attract a fee.

Fees:

Standard blood tests: $155 (see below for more information about blood tests).

SPECIAL OFFER: We are able to offer a 10% discount to family groups of 2 or more who have their medical examinations completed at the same time. You must be together whilst the initial medical screening questions are asked (this saves a lot of time and so helps keep the costs down).

Prices are correct as at 01/05/2011, and medical prices are fixed until the end of December 2011.

The blood test price is subject to change without notice as it is beyond our control.

What to expect:

First of all, you will need to obtain a copy of the medical examination form. This is available from the Immigration Department or can be downloaded from their website. If you are not able to print a form, please let us know. We can print you a form for a small fee.

Please complete the personal information on the front of the document and attach a passport photo. Do read through the form as there are a large number of questions which you will need to answer during your examination and it is helpful if you have the answers clear in your mind.

One of the questions requires that we record the age and state of health of your parents and all of your brothers and sisters. Some people find it hard to recall this information under pressure so it is a good idea to think about it in advance and perhaps to write the necessary details down beforehand.

When you are ready to have your medical examination, please contact the surgery on 03 326 6288 to arrange an appointment. The examination will take about 45 minutes for adults and 30 minutes for children so we do need to know that you are coming for an immigration medical at the time you make your appointment. We can usually offer an appointment within 2 working days of your call (and often on the same day if you call early). Please don't forget to bring your medical examination form, passport photos and your passport. You are welcome to have a friend or relative present during your examination.

The doctor will begin by asking you the set questions at the start of the medical examination form. This will be followed by a thorough physical examination concluding with a urine test. The doctor will need to examine all of your skin so please wear suitable underwear. A bra and pants for women and underpants for men are advisable. The medical is then completed by filling in the xray and blood test referral form.

After the examination, you will be given your form and advised how to organise your blood tests and chest x-ray.

Most people require only standard blood tests but some need more. More tests are most commonly needed if:

• You have high blood pressure.
• You have kidney disease or diabetes.
• There is a risk of infections such as hepatitis C.
• You have a history of other significant medical illness.
• You have a strong family history of heart disease or diabetes.

This list is not exhaustive - the doctor will tell you if you need more tests performing. The additional cost of extra tests is usually small, averaging about $30-50 but does depend on exactly which tests are required.

IMPORTANT: All applicants are now required to have a glucose and lipid test.  These can be done at any time of day but are most likely to be accurate if you are fasting.  Fasting means no food or drink other than water or unsweetened black tea/coffee for 8-16 hours before the test.  Do not fast for more than 16 hours.  If you have nost fasted, you can always have your bloods done another day or accept that they may need to be repeated.

Once you have completed your medical, you will need to take the forms away with you so you can arrange your xray.  Once this has been completed, allow two working days from your medical for the bloods to come back and then book an appointment for the medicals to be signed off.  It is not normally necessary to have everyone come for the sign-off though it is very helpful if any adults can come as occasionally we need to discuss abnormal blood results with you.

Finally, we return the report to you to be forwarded with your application.

What if there is a problem?

It is in the nature of this kind of examination occasionally to uncover some minor abnormalities. Usually these are of no consequence and may not affect your application but some require further tests. We will help you to arrange these and we do not normally charge for this additional service (although you will have to pay for the tests) Most commonly, we have to arrange some further simple blood tests.

Throughout your examination and the follow-up period, you are assured that our friendly, professional staff will be working to ensure you get only the best of care.

Medical Checklist - Don't Forget:

• FAST for bloods - NO FOOD and only Water or unsweetened black tea or coffee for 8 hours.
• Medical form for each person with the first page filled in
• Three (3) passport photos for each application*
• Passport for each person
• Payment