No Immigration for People W/ Chronic Illnesses?

[Redbone]

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of spring or fall!

I've got a question about medical conditions and immigration. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis back in October. Will this automatically disqualify me? It is a condition that will need treatment for the rest of my life.

Also, does this usually apply in other countries such as Canada or in the EU?

Thanks everyone!

[JandM]

Here's the link to the conditions which are an automatic 'no' unless the person can get a medical waiver (and that's another point to consider). As you will see, in your case it is likely to depend on what treatment you are having.

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/opsmanual/index.htm

[SueDonim]

Appendix 10 to the Ops Manual is key. These illnesses automatically mean a waiver would be required.

But also be aware that a lifetime cost of treatment expectation of NZ$25,000 would mean you do not have an Acceptable Standard of Health and would require a waiver. Obviously for a chronic condition (even if relatively benign) you could bump into that.

That doesn't mean it can't be beat, but may require legal assistance or to get a waiver (based on net benefit to NZ), family in NZ, and a few other items

Medical conditions from Appendix 10

* HIV infection
* Hepatitis B surface antigen positive, with abnormal liver function
* Hepatitis C, RNA positive, with abnormal liver function
* Malignancies of solid organs and haematopoietic tissue, including past history of, or currently under treatment

Exceptions are:
1. treated minor skin malignancies (not melanoma)
2. malignancies where the interval since treatment is such that the probability of cure is > 90%, e.g.: early stage (I & IIA) breast cancer at 5 years; low risk prostate cancer at 5 years; early stage (Dukes A & B1) colorectal cancer at 5 years; childhood leukaemia at 5 years
* Solid organ transplants, excluding corneal grafts more than 6 months old
* Chronic renal failure or progressive renal disorders
* Diseases or disorders such as osteoarthritis with a high probability of arthroplasty in the next four years
* Central Nervous System disease, including motor neurone disease, complex partial seizures, poorly controlled epilepsy, prion disease, Alzheimer's and other dementia, and including paraplegia and quadriplegia
* Cardiac disease including ischaemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy or valve disease requiring surgical and/or other procedural intervention
* Chronic obstructive respiratory disease with limited exercise tolerance and requiring oxygen
* Genetic or congenital disorders: muscular dystrophies, cystic fibrosis, thalassaemia major, sickle cell anaemia if more than one sickle crisis in 4 years, severe haemophilia, and severe primary immunodeficiencies
* Severe autoimmune disease, currently being treated with immuno-suppressants other than prednisone
* In a person up to the age of 21 years, a severe (71-90 decibels) hearing loss or profound bilateral sensori-neural hearing loss
* In a person up to the age of 21 years, a severe vision impairment with visual acuity of 6/36 or beyond after best possible correction, or a loss restricting the field of vision to 15-20 degrees
* In a person up to the age of 21 years, a severe physical disability, where they are unable to stand and walk without support, and cannot independently dress, eat, hold a cup, or maintain their stability when sitting.

[JandM]

Simulpost of the same info, there, I see.

[Redbone]

Thank you so much for the replies.

I think that this might 'cross' me out. I am scheduled to start taking methotrexate, which is an immunosupressive. RA tends to be progressive, so they might frown on that.

I really don't have any other checks in the plus column to offset that. I'm in school to earn a BS in environmental science; my OH is an excellent truck driver. That's about it...

[JandM]

So sorry to hear that.